A motion passed by Vancouver’s park board to apologize to the 2SLGBTQ+ community over its decision to host the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience in Stanley Park in November has caught the attention of author J.K Rowling.
She posted to X on Thursday in response to a post by commissioner Tom Digby, in which he said the board had done, “the right thing,” with his motion, apologized and “disavowed” the author and her political activity over transgender rights.
“To be honest, I didn’t even know Vancouver Parks and Recreations had avowed me, so the disavowal hasn’t been much of a blow,” Rowling wrote.
The comments followed an emotional meeting on Tuesday where commissioners discussed their earlier in-camera decision to bring the immersive Harry Potter programming to Stanley Park with seemingly little awareness over the polarizing figure of J.K Rowling.
To be honest, I didn’t even know Vancouver Parks and Recreations had avowed me, so the disavowal hasn’t been much of a blow. Next time, send me a certificate of avowal, wait until I’ve proudly framed it, hung it over my PC and taken a selfie with it, THEN revoke it. <a href=”https://t.co/3dpWWCAXsF”>pic.twitter.com/3dpWWCAXsF</a>
Rowling has made public that she does not believe people can change their biological sex and that having individuals self-identify their gender could pose a threat to women and children who are not transgender.
Rob Hadley, a member of Vancouver’s 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, presented to commissioners at their Tuesday meeting and said Rowling’s views and activities threaten the rights of trans people, and that endorsing a themed installation related to her work was a mistake.
“Many in our community tell us they remain deeply concerned that the board is giving a platform to a high profile figure they feel has consistently amplified negative messages about transgender individuals,” said Hadley.
“The decision to feature her work in a publicly funded event risks overlooking or minimizing the lived experiences and concerns of many transgender residents in our city.”
Hadley also said the advisory committee is not trying to tell people to boycott the Harry Potter series, but that there is concern that any financial gain for Rowling from Vancouver paying for the installation could be put toward legal fees related to transgender issues.
“Although unintended, hosting this event sends a message that conflicts with Vancouver’s stated values of inclusion, safety and respect for all communities,” said Hadley.
Ky Sargeant, a representative of Vancouver’s Qmunity, one of the largest non-governmental organizations serving 2SLGBTQ+ people in B.C., told commissioners that the city has done considerable work since 2016 with its Transgender, Gender Diverse, Two-Spirit (TGD2S) Action Plan, but the installation decision was a step backward.
“It is in part because of that trust that has been cultivated over these years that the news of this event was met with such an intense shock and disappointment … it stands so clearly against the values that this board has demonstrated over a number of years.”
Commissioners were conciliatory over their previous decision in addressing Hadley and Sargeant at the Tuesday meeting and their motion directs the board to find ways to make reparations.
“I’m really sorry for what has happened,” said commissioner Angela Haer.
Digby’s motion is called Affirming the Park Board’s Commitment to Transgender Lives and Rights.
It says that the Vancouver Park Board “unequivocally supports the lives and rights of TGD2S people,” and recognizes that “transphobia sets a precedent to the reduction in human rights that affects all of us.”
The motion also “disavows JK Rowling’s political activity and recognizes the harm that it causes globally,” and ensures the installation only runs for this season.
