Eddie Redmayne, star of the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise, is speaking out against J.K. Rowling's anti-trans tweets, as the controversy surrounding the author and her beliefs continues to swirl.

"Respect for transgender people remains a cultural imperative, and over the years I have been trying to constantly educate myself," Redmayne said in a statement provided to Variety. "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," he continued. "I disagree with Jo's comments. 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."

J.K. Rowling posted a series of tweets on June 6 to her 14.5 million followers that made clear the author of the global bestselling "Harry Potter" book series does not believe that transgender women are women or transgender men are men.

"If sex isn't real, there's no same-sex attraction," Rowling tweeted. "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."

Warner Bros. has responded to the ongoing controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling's statements about transgender identity.

"The events in the last several weeks have firmed our resolve as a company to confront difficult societal issues," the company said in a statement to Variety. "Warner Bros. position on inclusiveness is well established, and fostering a diverse and inclusive culture has never been more important to our company and to our audiences around the world. We deeply value the work of our storytellers who give so much of themselves in sharing their creations with us all. We recognize our responsibility to foster empathy and advocate understanding of all communities and all people, particularly those we work with and those we reach through our content."

Source: Press Release