Around 16 transgender rights demonstrators gathered outside the opening of a new Harry Potter flagship store on London’s Oxford Street on Wednesday. They held signs reading “protect trans lives” and “stop funding trans erasure,” and chanted through megaphones as fans queued to enter. The line moved into the shop, with most customers appearing to ignore the protest.
The store is described as the U.K.’s largest official Harry Potter retail destination, spanning two floors and 21,000 square feet at the Ribbon development. A store spokesperson said it welcomed hundreds of fans and supported the right to peaceful expression.
The demonstration comes amid continuing criticism of author J.K. Rowling over her views on gender identity. Rowling has defended her gender-critical positions, saying legal protections based on biological sex are essential to women’s rights. Her views have prompted boycotts and protests involving Harry Potter-related projects.
The opening also precedes a planned Harry Potter-themed Christmas lights switch-on on Oxford Street on Nov. 9, promoted in connection with HBO’s forthcoming television adaptation. More than 11,000 people have signed a Good Law Project petition calling for the display to be canceled, arguing that the partnership would financially benefit Rowling and make transgender Londoners feel unwelcome.
Rowling is an executive producer on the adaptation, which stars John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. The series has drawn scrutiny over Rowling’s views, and several cast members have publicly distanced themselves from her positions.
Sources: Variety.