Trans Activists Petition Against Harry Potter Christmas Lights in London

Trans activists have launched a petition against the planned Harry Potter-themed Christmas lights on London's Oxford Street, asserting that the decorations will alienate members of the LGBTQ+ community. The lights are intended to promote the upcoming December 25 release of a new HBO Harry Potter TV series.

The petition, initiated by the Good Law Project, has garnered over 10,000 email submissions to London Mayor Sadiq Khan, urging him to cancel the themed lights and "pull the plug on transphobia." The campaigners argue that affiliating Oxford Street with J.K. Rowling's work is problematic due to her public stance on gender identity issues.

Text from the petition states, "Sadiq Khan says he's an ally of the trans community... So why is he allowing one of the most famous anti-trans people in the world to take over Oxford Street? Harry Potter lights in one of the busiest streets of London will not make trans people feel Christmassy, welcome, or safe." The petition also claims Rowling intends to use proceeds from the new series to fund the "anti-trans rights movement."

Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter book series, is a noted gender-critical campaigner. She has previously stated that her views are not transphobic and that she respects "every trans person's rights to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them."

Mayor Khan's office stated that the organization responsible for the Oxford Street Christmas lights is the New West End Company, not the Mayor's office or the Oxford Street Development Corporation. A spokesperson for the Mayor emphasized his commitment to supporting "all of London's diverse communities, including trans and non-binary Londoners."

The New West End Company, which organizes the decorations, has indicated no plans to remove the Harry Potter-themed lights. Their spokesperson stated that the partnership with HBO Max aims to "celebrate the joy of the festive season and is intended to create an enchanting experience for visitors to Oxford Street and the West End, which continues to be a place where all are welcome." The installation of the lights coincides with the opening of a new Harry Potter shop on the street.