Resurfaced clip of Emma Watson shows her standing up for trans rights: 'That’s another human being'

A resurfaced clip of "Harry Potter" star Emma Watson standing up for transgender equality has fans and allies cheering for the 31-year-old. In the clip from a 2019 interview with British Vogue, journalist Paris Lees asks Watson her thoughts on trans issues. "Do you feel comfortable with me using female toilets?" Lees, who is a trans woman, asked the young actress. Without a moment's hesitation, Watson responded to Lees' query with a moving and passionate answer in support of the trans community. "Oh my God of course!" she replied. "I would..."

When Lees asked whether Watson's feelings on the matter depend on whether she's had surgery or not, the "Little Women" star replied that it did not. "I don't want to dwell on this for too long, but what would you say to those people who would have an issue sharing a public bathroom with me?" Lees continued. "Oh my goodness," Watson responded. "Say... that's another human being. I understand fearing what you don't know. I understand, kind of, being like I don't really understand about this and I've never met someone... But go! Go and speak. Go learn, go speak, yeah go and look into the whites of someone's eyes that's had this experience and tell me, after you've done that, that you do not see or feel that you, that like there's any part of you that feels that it's OK to make that person not feel included."

Although Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is never explicitly mentioned in the discussion, the author's frequent alignment with anti-trans activists on Twitter and in public statements is implicit to the discussion and the questions Lees asked. In stark contrast, Watson has been quite outspoken in her support of the LGBTQ community. During last month's BAFTA Awards, she appeared to make a joke that was widely assumed to be a dig at Rowling and her transphobic comments. The now-viral moment came after host Rebel Wilson introduced Watson to the stage to announce an award winner.

"Here to present the next award is Emma Watson. She calls herself a feminist, but we all know she's a witch," Wilson said. As Watson came to the podium, she smiled and responded, "I'm here for ALL of the witches." Watson also spoke out in support of transgender people in 2020, after Rowling posted a series of controversial tweets invalidating trans people. "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," the star wrote on Twitter. "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." She also urged her followers to donate to the Mermaids charity, which helps transgender children, and the women's fund Mama Cash.

Watson's "Harry Potter" co-star Daniel Radcliffe also released a statement condemning Rowling's transphobia in 2020. "78% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported being the subject of discrimination due to their gender identity," he said in the statement. "It's clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm. While Jo is unquestionably responsible for the course my life has taken, as someone who has been honored to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being, I feel compelled to say something at this moment."

"Transgender women are women," Radcliffe continued. "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. To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished, I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you. I really hope that you don't entirely lose what was valuable in these stories to you."