Erin Darke, the actor best known for her role in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” has become the target of trans-exclusionary social media users after announcing her pregnancy with boyfriend, Daniel Radcliffe. Hundreds of comments were made suggesting that Darke, who is a cisgender woman, is actually a transgender woman. This false insinuation was based on Darke’s height and facial structure, which were cited as evidence of her being a transgender woman.
Suzanne Seddon, a self-proclaimed ‘gender-critical’ author, posted a photo of Darke with her boyfriend on Twitter, accompanied by the caption, “This is Daniel Radcliffe’s (Harry Potter) Girlfriend. Now what do you see?”, followed by the ‘woozy face’ emoji. The tweet seemed to suggest that Darke was a transgender woman, a claim that is rooted in misogyny.
The issue escalated when anti-trans users replied to Seddon’s tweet, claiming that Darke was a man, and that her pregnancy was impossible. Pro-trans individuals responded by criticising those pushing the theory for essentially espousing patriarchal beauty standards for women while adding that, even if Darke was transgender, there is no issue with their relationship.
Gender equality campaigner Gina Martin highlighted that this incident “brilliantly demonstrates” that transphobia is as misogynistic as it is discriminatory. Accusations spread shortly following a video series released by LGBTQ+ suicide prevention charity The Trevor Project featuring Radcliffe, called Sharing Space. In the first episode, the star hosts a discussion panel with trans young people in an attempt to prove they aren’t confused or pressured into their identities.
While the video was praised as a “beautiful” attempt to let marginalised groups speak their mind, ‘gender-critical’ pundits decided to take issue with the idea of letting under-18s comment on the ongoing debate about their existence by insulting Radcliffe. This reaction sparked more vitriolic comments towards Darke. It is an alarming reminder that transphobia and misogyny still thrive in society today.
The comments on social media regarding Erin Darke highlight the ongoing discrimination and abuse faced by trans individuals, and the need for continued education and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Trans individuals have the right to exist and live their lives with dignity and respect, just like anyone else. It is time for society to recognise and celebrate this fundamental human right.