Emma Watson sparks controversy in 'Trans Rights are Human Rights' T-shirt
Months after flashing a temporary #TimesUp tattoo on Oscars night, Emma Watson is once again using her style to express her feminist views.
The actress and activist’s latest Instagram post shows her throwing her support behind the trans community as she strikes a defiant pose in a T-shirt with the slogan “Trans Rights are Human Rights.”
????? @stonewalluk @mermaidsgender @genderedintelligence
A post shared by Emma Watson (@emmawatson) on Oct 18, 2018 at 1:29am PDT
Watson’s message appears to be in response to the U.K. government’s discussion of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) this week. As the LGBTQ organization Stonewall — which the Harry Potter star tagged in her post — notes, trans activists are calling for the GRA to be reformed so that it recognizes nonbinary identities and makes it easier to legally self-determine gender for trans folks of all ages, including an end to requiring that trans statuses be dependent upon medical diagnosis or approval.
But these trans-friendly reforms have received pushback from some women’s rights activists, who argue that they would violate the rights and protections they have fought to obtain for themselves. The reforms have also been opposed by social conservatives who balk at advancing LGBTQ rights.
Watson’s post makes it clear that she’s both a feminist and a trans ally. Now, plenty of people are responding — with both praise and anger.
Many applauded the Beauty and the Beast actress for taking a stand.
This is amazing! Thank you for coming out in support of trans folks ??
— Kate (@uhh_kate) October 18, 2018
the future is EMMA WATSON pic.twitter.com/N6CY2T2k2i
— meri 9? (@anneweasIey) October 18, 2018
She has always been the brightest witch of her age ??
— Carol Jones ?? (@CarolJones_L) October 18, 2018
And just like that after tweeting in a real sense of overwhelm and exhaustion begging for non-trans friends to speak up, this comes up on my feed. Thank you very much @EmmaWatson https://t.co/jUwZq59YjW
— Josephine Baird (Josephine Krieg) (@dotty_p) October 18, 2018
Watson’s shirt has also sparked transphobic comments as well as criticism from those who accuse her of putting trans organizations before feminism.
TRAs: Emma Watson is a white feminist terf ew
Emma’s PR: shit here we have to do something or men won’t like you and will possibly try to kill you
Emma: *sides with one of the most morally repugnant “charity” out there*— ellie (@lesleslieknope) October 18, 2018
I cannot believe that Emma Watson is backing the sterilising of children and the loss of rights for women. I’m so disappointed. I wonder why, out of all the letters, she’s stood behind T. /s god Emma you’re smarter than this!
— ellie (@lesleslieknope) October 18, 2018
as if anyone *doesn't* believe that 'trans rights are human rights'. What many of us disagree with is the notion that men's human rights allow them to identify 'as women' just because they say so. @EmmaWatson
— Meadowswxxt ?? (@MrsMeadowsweet) October 18, 2018
If you mean that Trans women are ‘women’ in the sense that they present and wish to be perceived by society as women then go ahead and think that, but they aren’t female. Stonewall is lobbying to remove single-sex space exemptions. https://t.co/mxEbS3AGzC have a read of page 8.
— dobbysteacosy (@dobbysteacosy) October 18, 2018
Well, Hermione never did back down from a debate…
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Stormy Daniels insists she’s not a feminist: ‘I feel sorry for men right now’
New York City votes to allow third gender option on birth certificates
Trans woman says airline ‘outed me in front of the whole airplane’
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