A group of transgender rights protesters appeared at the new Harry Potter store in London on Wednesday to protest series creator J.K. Rowling’s views on trans people and gender identity.
The demonstrators carried signs outside the Oxford Street shop that read “protect trans lives” and “stop funding trans erasure.”
People in line for the store mostly ignored the protesters, according to a report from Variety.
People were interested in these podcasts
“Considering the impact that J.K Rowling has on trans rights, it would be a disappointment if trans people weren’t here to have their voices heard,” one protester told Variety. “It is largely J.K. Rowling making the biggest impact on people’s lives, I think, unfortunately. People don’t realize that, so that’s why we’re here today.”
The new store is the U.K.’s largest Harry Potter shop. A spokesperson for the shop told Variety that “we support everyone’s right to the peaceful expression of personal viewpoints and look forward to a day full of magic.”
Ms. Rowling has continually defended her criticism of what she calls “new trans activism,” saying that legal protection for biological women is crucial to women’s rights.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.