Emma Watson was interviewed by Paris Lee for Vogue in 2020. (Screen capture via YouTube/Vogue)
Harry Potter star Emma Watson has been praised for being an “example of true feminism” after her interview with Paris Lees resurfaced.
With her usual grace and composure, Watson told the trans journalist in an interview with Vogue that she was more than “comfortable” with Lees using the women’s toilets.
In fact, she stressed at the time, it’s not even up for debate.
During the 2020 interview, Lees asked the 31-year-old a question so much of the right-wing press and politicians are seemingly obsessed with: trans people using restrooms.
“Do you feel comfortable with me using female toilets?” Lees asked. “Does that depend on me having had surgery?
“What would you say to those people who would have an issue sharing a public bathroom with me?”
In response to those three questions, Watson said: “Oh my god, of course! No! I would say: that’s another human being.”
Emma Watson praised by LGBT+ people while transphobic trolls try to tear her down
Watson’s remarks resurfaced on Twitter Saturday evening (9 April) after the British government announced it will exclude trans people from its conversion therapy ban.
The move, a U-turn that followed Boris Johnson initially scrapping the ban altogether, ignited a firestorm of criticism from LGBT+ rights groups, major medical bodies and even government officials.
This came only days after the Equality and Human Rights Commission, a watchdog, issued guidelines for single-sex services that legal experts told PinkNews amounted to a manual on how to “blanket ban” trans people.
LGBT+ Twitter users praised Watson’s 2020 comments as what “true feminism” looks like all while anti-trans trolls slammed her, because of course they did.
Emma Watson simultaneously being a legend and also relentlessly normal https://t.co/mHqxuQqFwn
— Katy Montgomerie 🦖🦕 (@KatyMontgomerie) April 10, 2022
“That’s another human being”
Emma Watson shining a light on how many of us cisgender women feel.
This is true feminism and sisterhood 🤍🏳️⚧️#TransWomenAreWomen #TransRightsAreHumanRights pic.twitter.com/hDBy7tK68t
— Amz 🌙 (@AnxietySugar_) April 9, 2022
Again, I absolutely adore Emma Watson.
Watching the GC/TERF crowd try to dismiss her views because she’s “rich & privileged”, while their is leader JK Rowling, is the laughably ironic.#TransRightsAreHumanRights https://t.co/rwLLSg5d9U
— Natalie (she/her) 🏳️⚧️ (@natgrace79) April 10, 2022
I love seeing Emma Watson trending because I can tell my trans daughter that one of her favourite actors is speaking up for her again #TransRightsAreHumanRights #ProtectTransKids pic.twitter.com/7hRVZ6jCpw
— NormalParent (@TransKidsRule) April 10, 2022
Emma Watson is here for ALL the witches! ✊🏻🏳️⚧️💕#TransRightsAreHumanRights #TransLivesMatter#ProtectTransKids #BanConversionTherapy https://t.co/AC1KnnJmGH
— Helen🏳️⚧️✊🏻💕 (@mimmymum) April 10, 2022
I feel bad for Emma Watson. She shouldn’t have to act as the cultural counterweight to JK Rowling’s bullshit just because she’s the second most famous woman associated with Harry Potter and her head isn’t up her own ass.
— Faith 🇺🇦 (@RoseOfWindsong) April 10, 2022
Here’s a few more, there are plenty of others as well. Look for yourself, they aren’t hard to find. pic.twitter.com/ruH7MTDYaC
— Lucy (@scarypronouns) April 9, 2022
Emma Watson IS intelligent.
She’s got a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and is a feminist icon for a work supporting all women.
Emma Watson has her own voice.
Much stronger than JK Rowlings 🤍 https://t.co/URQSlogS4D— Amz 🌙 (@AnxietySugar_) April 10, 2022
Emma Watson has long been a trans ally. While presenting a prize at the British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTAs) last month, Watson said she is “here for all the witches” of the world.
Her fans took her statement as a “giant dig” against Harry Potter author JK Rowling, whose controversial opinions on trans rights have deeply roiled LGBT+ people.
And it wasn’t the first time she stood up for trans people in the face of Rowling. In 2020, the Scottish writer published a meandering essay outlining her troubling stance on trans rights.
Days later, Watson took to Twitter and announced she had donated to Mermaids, a charity that supports trans youth.
“Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are,” she tweeted.
“I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.”