I discovered I was queer through Harry Potter fanfiction and started dating my first girlfriend because of it. As someone who was very active in the fandom when the books were coming out - I also attended two different conventions years later and made a lot of friends through the fandom - I echo this sentiment. That same comment expresses that they have their own personal attachment to Harry Potter, including that the books helped them to realize their own queerness. To us you are saying you put HP and JKR above and beyond any queer and/or trans person.

The top comment on the Instagram post, at the time of writing, reads in part, “If you can’t personally cut HP out of your life, that’s fine, but do it privately where things aren’t going directly impact those of us who ARE queer and trans.

OwlCrate’s decision is one that bolsters JK Rowling’s credibility and audience by promoting her work. Her diatribes against trans people have empowered more transphobic commentary online and off, especially in the UK. The same month that Rowling went public with her transphobia, a Republican lawmaker quoted her as reasoning for blocking an LGBTQ bill. It is precisely because of Harry Potter’s social capital and Rowling’s large platform that her comments are so dangerous. Rowling’s transphobia is not something that can be divorced from her work. Of course, this doesn’t acknowledge that there is a long, long way between “I have decided to still enjoy this series despite the author” and “I have decided to actively promote this author’s work,” especially when promoting Harry Potter leads to JK Rowling making more money off of it.

Owlcrate our violent ends