Author JK Rowling's adherence to the biological reality that men cannot become women is so controversial to officials in London that a deputy mayor under Sadiq Khan said all displays about Harry Potter in the city known for the films should be banned.
Deputy Mayor of London for "Communities and Social Justice" Debbie Weekes-Bernard proposed a ban on "prominent displays" about the films in order to protect those that are transgender from seeing the product of Rowling's work over the years. London is a tourist destination for lovers of the globally-acclaimed books.
"You just said if it was up to you, there wouldn't be Harry Potter lights," said London Assembly Member Emma Best. "Would you not use Harry Potter for anything. I mean, it's a main contributing factor of tourism. Would you like to see Harry Potter expelled from London?"
"What I would say is that what I don't think is helpful is where there is a display, a prominent display, that we know that is affecting trans Londoners," Weekes-Bernard replied.
"Well, with respect, could I suggest perhaps you put your energy into the hate preachers that get plastered over the TFL network, specifically people who call for the death of gay people, as opposed to J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter, which brings in a lot of tourism to London," Best said in response.
The comments from Weekes-Bernard come as the 30th anniversary of first Harry Potter book is approaching in June 2027. In addition to festivities themed after the film, the BBC is making two-part documentary chronicling Rowling's life "from struggling single mother to the creator of Harry Potter ... before becoming one of Britain’s most polarising public figures." Rowling, however, has not been consulted on the process.
Deputy Mayor of London for "Communities and Social Justice" Debbie Weekes-Bernard proposed a ban on "prominent displays" about the films in order to protect those that are transgender from seeing the product of Rowling's work over the years. London is a tourist destination for lovers of the globally-acclaimed books.
"You just said if it was up to you, there wouldn't be Harry Potter lights," said London Assembly Member Emma Best. "Would you not use Harry Potter for anything. I mean, it's a main contributing factor of tourism. Would you like to see Harry Potter expelled from London?"
"What I would say is that what I don't think is helpful is where there is a display, a prominent display, that we know that is affecting trans Londoners," Weekes-Bernard replied.
"Well, with respect, could I suggest perhaps you put your energy into the hate preachers that get plastered over the TFL network, specifically people who call for the death of gay people, as opposed to J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter, which brings in a lot of tourism to London," Best said in response.
The comments from Weekes-Bernard come as the 30th anniversary of first Harry Potter book is approaching in June 2027. In addition to festivities themed after the film, the BBC is making two-part documentary chronicling Rowling's life "from struggling single mother to the creator of Harry Potter ... before becoming one of Britain’s most polarising public figures." Rowling, however, has not been consulted on the process.
