Eddie Redmayne calls out the ‘vitriol’ aimed at J.K. Rowling after her transphobic comments

Actor Eddie Redmayne says that he does not support author J.K. Rowling’s frequent transphobic comments, but also does not agree with the abuse the Harry Potter scribe has received online since publicly sharing her polarizing views. In a new interview with The Daily Mail, Redmayne said that he is alarmed by the hate that has been directed toward Rowling in recent months.Using the word "vitriol" to describe the negative response to Rowling’s comments on transgender people, Redmayne said the online bullying is "absolutely disgusting." The Oscar-winner told The Daily Mail that the backlash inspired him to reach out to Rowling privately and send her a letter. Redmayne also said that his stance against bullying does not negate his support for the trans community.“Similarly, there continues to be a hideous torrent of abuse towards trans people online and out in the world that is devastating,” said Redmayne, adding that the daily hatred directed toward members of the community on social media is "equally disgusting." Is it really equal considering one circumstance is attacking the personhood of members of a marginalized group and the other is calling out someone's dismissal of that identity? Bullying is never justified or okay but it's not the same as people being upset about hate speech.[video_embed id='2035538']RELATED: J.K. Rowling under fire once again for her new book [/video_embed]Over the past year, Rowling has made several transphobic comments both on social media and on her personal blog, including supporting a controversial British researcher who was fired after stating that men cannot become women. The Harry Potter author has been labeled a TERF or Trans Exclusive Radical Feminist following her comments that transgender women are not real women because they do not share the same biology as those who born with female genitalia. Rowling’s comments were condemned by two major Harry Potter fan sites, as well as Harry Potter actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch and Noma Dumezweni, who starred in the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Redmayne also made his own statement following the outcry spurred by Rowling’s tweets.“As someone who has worked with both J.K. Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to make it absolutely clear where I stand. I disagree with Jo’s comments,” said Redmayne in a statement provided to Variety in June. The British actor, who played artist and trans woman Lili Elbe in the 2015 biographic film The Danish Girl, continued, saying “Trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid. I would never want to speak on behalf of the community but I do know that my dear transgender friends and colleagues are tired of this constant questioning of their identities, which all too often results in violence and abuse. They simply want to live their lives peacefully, and it’s time to let them do so.”Redmayne’s latest show of support for Rowling has been met with resistance by the trans community and allies who do not feel it is appropriate for a cis gendered straight man to police how those who have been directly impacted by Rowling’s comments should feel and react.

instead of criticising the way people are calling out transphobic behaviour i’d love to see eddie redmayne respond to this incredibly nuanced take on the role he’s played in manifesting our transphobic culture, or, idk, maybe even show remorse for that pic.twitter.com/haGhXTHUjQ

— ☼ charlie ☼ (@charIieforever) September 29, 2020

Eddie Redmayne? Got your number some time ago mate.

Who decided that letting posh young actors police my womanhood was progress? https://t.co/xrV7SW497z— suzanne moore (@suzanne_moore) September 29, 2020

Eddie Redmayne sure chose the most disappointing hill to die on. He can go all the way away.https://t.co/vFkYE0EsHE

— Adrienne Lawrence (@AdrienneLaw) September 28, 2020

Nah, fuck that. You don't get to both sides this, Eddie Redmayne. JKR being criticised for her transphobic comments is not remotely comparable to the harassment trans people have to go through daily on social media, particularly Twitter. Doesn't even come close. pic.twitter.com/lidOUheR50

— 100% Pure uncut malarkey (@Naz_H_M) September 28, 2020

Redmayne is currently filming the third installment of Rowling’s book to film Fantastic Beasts franchise, in which he plays lead character Newt Scamander.[video_embed id='2043036']BEFORE YOU GO: Watch this mother and son dance duo pull off some impressive moves [/video_embed]