‘I don’t think J. K. Rowling is transphobic’: Genderfluid Eddie Izzard defends author amid ‘people who menstruate’ row and calls for critics to read explanations in her blog

• The comedian, 58, defended the author following J.K.’s controversial comments about ‘people who menstruate’ last year
• J.K., 55, was branded ‘anti-trans’ and ‘transphobic’ as transgenders, non-binary and gender-nonconforming individuals can also menstruate 
• She seemingly denied claims of transphobia, before retweeting a fan’s comment which slammed ‘extremists’ for ‘insisting biological sex is an illusion’ 
• Eddie asked last year to be identified with ‘she/ her’ pronouns after previously refusing to be pinned down on gender  

Eddie Izzard has defended J.K. Rowling, saying she doesn’t believe the author is transphobic. 

Last June, J.K., 55, was accused of transphobia after making a controversial comment about menstruation, two years after she liked a tweet which referred to transgender people as ‘men in dresses’.

The author denied claims of transphobia as she insisted she ‘respects every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them.’  

Eddie, 58, who last year asked to be called a ‘she’, after previously refusing to be pinned down on gender, told the Daily Telegraph: ‘I don’t think JK Rowling is transphobic. I think we need to look at the things she has written about in her blog.’

Support: Eddie Izzard has defended J.K. Rowling, saying she doesn’t believe the author is transphobic (picture this month)

Eddie went on: ‘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?’

J.K. was accused of transphobia last year when she reacted to an online article titled ‘Opinion: Creating a more equal post COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.’

”People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?’, the award-winning writer told her 14.2million followers. 

Under fire: Last June, J.K., 55, was accused of transphobia after making a controversial comment about menstruation (pictured in December 2019) 

Disappointed fans and other users of the micro-blogging site branded the screenwriter’s remarks ‘anti-trans’ and ‘transphobic’, as transgenders, non-binary and gender-nonconforming individuals can also menstruate.

The producer stood by her tweet as she later insisted: ‘If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. 

‘If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.’

The media personality insisted she ‘respects every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them.’

Fury: ‘”People who menstruate.” I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?’, J.K told her 14.2million followers last year

Speaking out: The wordsmith seemingly denied claims of transphobia, before retweeting a fan’s comment which slammed ‘extremists’ for ‘insisting biological sex is an illusion’

J. K. elaborated: ‘The idea that women like me, who’ve been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they’re vulnerable in the same way as women – ie, to male violence – ‘hate’ trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences – is a nonsense. 

‘I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.

‘I’ve spent much of the last three years reading books, blogs and scientific papers by trans people, medics and gender specialists. I know exactly what the distinction is. Never assume that because someone thinks differently, they have no knowledge.’

Applauded: Meanwhile, Eddie was applauded last week for requesting the use of ‘she’ and her ‘pronouns’ during a TV appearance

Meanwhile, Eddie was applauded last week for requesting the use of ‘she’ and her ‘pronouns’ during a TV appearance. 

The comedian appeared on the Sky Arts programme Portrait Artist Of The Year in which contestants had to create a portrait of the star.

And viewers catching up with the programme over the weekend were impressed at Eddie being addressed with her preferred pronouns, with one even remarking: ‘Thanks for being a trailblazer.’  

During the show, Eddie directly asked if she could publicly be referred to as ‘she’ and her’, confirming that she was ‘gender fluid.’

She said: ‘This is the first programme I’ve asked if I can be she and her, a little transition period.  People just assume, well, know me from before… I’m genderfluid, I just want to be based in girl mode from now on.’  

Izzard identified as a transvestite on rising to prominence in the 80s, but more recently has preferred to use the term ‘transgender’.

The star told The Mail on Sunday in September: ‘When I’m in girl mode I am happy to be known as ‘she’ and when I’m in boy-mode, I am happy to be known as ‘he’. But I am equally happy to be referred to as Eddie or ‘Hey mate’.’ 

Request: During the show, Eddie directly asked if she could publicly be referred to as ‘she’ and her’, confirming that she was ‘gender fluid’ (pictured in 2019)

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