Vancouver’s park board recently approved a motion to apologize to the 2SLGBTQ+ community for their decision to host the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience in Stanley Park in November. This move has garnered attention from author J.K. Rowling.
Responding to a post by commissioner Tom Digby, Rowling expressed her lack of awareness regarding the board’s acknowledgment of her and the subsequent disavowal. The park board’s decision to bring the immersive Harry Potter programming to Stanley Park sparked discussion during an emotional meeting where the polarizing figure of J.K. Rowling was highlighted.
Rowling’s public stance against the belief that people can change their biological sex and her concerns about self-identification of gender have drawn criticism from various groups. Rob Hadley, a member of Vancouver’s 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, emphasized that Rowling’s views pose a threat to the rights of transgender individuals and endorsed a themed installation related to her work was deemed a mistake.
The decision to feature Rowling’s work in a publicly funded event raised concerns about conflicting with Vancouver’s values of inclusion, safety, and respect for all communities. Representatives from organizations serving 2SLGBTQ+ communities expressed disappointment over the installation decision, citing it as a step backward in promoting inclusivity.
Commissioners, acknowledging the backlash, expressed regret over their previous decision and directed the board to seek ways to address the concerns raised by the community. The motion put forward by Digby underscores the park board’s commitment to supporting the lives and rights of TGD2S people while disavowing Rowling’s political activities and ensuring the installation’s limited duration.