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Transgender rights protesters gathered outside the opening of London’s new “Harry Potter” flagship store on Wednesday, as controversy surrounding author J.K. Rowling’s views on gender identity continues to follow the franchise.
A group of six demonstrators assembled outside the shop on Oxford Street, carrying signs reading “protect trans lives” and “stop funding trans erasure,” according to the Evening Standard. Using megaphones, protesters chanted “trans rights are human rights” and urged fans waiting in line to reconsider supporting the franchise.
The demonstration was at the opening of the U.K.’s largest official “Harry Potter” store, a 21,000-square-foot retail destination spanning two floors at The Ribbon development on Oxford Street. Representatives for Rowling and the “Harry Potter” store did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.
The protest comes amid renewed backlash against Rowling, who has become a divisive figure over her outspoken opposition to transgender rights advocacy. The author has repeatedly defended her gender-critical positions, arguing that legal protections based on biological sex are essential to women’s rights. Her views have prompted boycotts and protests targeting “Harry Potter”-related projects.
The opening also comes days before Oxford Street’s planned Harry Potter-themed Christmas lights switch-on on Nov. 9, a promotional tie-in with HBO’s upcoming television adaptation of Rowling’s novels. More than 11,000 people have signed a petition organized by the Good Law Project calling for the festive display to be canceled, arguing that the partnership would financially benefit Rowling and make transgender Londoners feel unwelcome.
Rowling serves as an executive producer on the new adaptation, which also stars John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. The series has faced scrutiny over the author’s views, with several cast members publicly distancing themselves from her positions.
