Eddie Izzard defends JK Rowling, says she doesn’t think Harry Potter icon is transphobic
"I hate the idea we are fighting between ourselves, but it's not going to be sorted with the wave of a wand."
Words: Jamie Tabberer; pictures: Wiki
Eddie Izzard has spoken out in defence of JK Rowling, saying the Harry Potter author is not transphobic.
The comedy legend made the remarks in an interview with The Telegraph over the weekend.
It follows news of gender-fluid star Eddie adopting she/her pronouns, as confirmed on Sky Arts’ Portrait Artist of the Year last month.
“Why are we going through hell on this?”
The star told the publication: “I don’t think J.K. Rowling is transphobic. I think we need to look at the things she has written about in her blog.
“Women have been through such hell over history. Trans people have been invisible, too. I hate the idea we are fighting between ourselves, but it’s not going to be sorted with the wave of a wand. I don’t have all the answers. If people disagree with me, fine, but why are we going through hell on this?”
Speaking about gender, Eddie added: “I’m gender fluid. Your brain gets coded male or female when you’re young. Mine got coded both ways. I have the gift of both, although it doesn’t feel like a gift at first.”
“I refuse to bow down”
Rowling stated in her infamous June 2020 essay: “I refuse to bow down to a movement that I believe is doing demonstrable harm in seeking to erode ‘woman’ as a political and biological class and offering cover to predators like few before it.”
In December 2019 Rowling also tweeted support for an anti-trans researcher Maya Forstater after her views were described in court as “not worthy of respect in a democratic society.”
“Dress however you please,” Rowling told her 14 million followers. “Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill.”
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