Eddie Redmayne opposes J.K. Rowling's transgender remarks

Eddie Redmayne has voiced his opposition to J.K. Rowling's recent comments that were accused of being transphobic.

Over the weekend, Rowling was criticised over tweets which saw her object to the use of the word "people" to describe those who menstruate in an article headline instead of "women".

“I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” she wrote.

Redmayne, who stars in Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, said he wanted to make it "absolutely clear" where he stood in terms of support for the transgender community.

Read more: Katie Leung responds to JK Rowling’s comments on transgender people

He said in a statement: "Respect for transgender people remains a cultural imperative, and over the years I have been trying to constantly educate myself. This is an ongoing process.

“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," the actor went on. "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.”

Model and transgender activist Munroe Bergdorf was among those criticising Rowling's remarks, noting she had made the comments during Pride month and while Black Lives Matter protests were taking place.

"To choose pride month to come out with yet more transphobia, in a time when people are coming together to call out bigotry, is an indicator of how you only care about liberation for people like YOU...READ THE ROOM," she wrote on Twitter.

Redmayne's comments come as Harry Potter lead Daniel Radcliffe apologised for Rowling's statements.

Releasing a statement through US non-profit organisation The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ suicide prevention charity, Radcliffe said: “Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.”

The author had received support from Jonathan Ross, however, the chat show host later back pedalled on his comments stating he is "not in a position to decide what is or isn’t considered transphobic".