JK Rowling has pushed back at officials in Vancouver after they issued a public apology for green‑lighting a seemingly transphobic “Harry Potter” event. The Vancouver Park Board “disavowed” the writer while apologizing to residents who said the event clashed with her views on gender. The walk‑through experience, “Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest,” is still set to open in Stanley Park. However, the board promised it would run for one season only and asked staff to report back on that plan.
J.K. Rowling said she might stop being triggered by the event in 2-3 years
JK Rowling mocked an apology following complaints from LGBTQ organizations linking a “Harry Potter” event to Rowling as transphobic. At a board meeting, Commissioner Scott Jensen grew emotional as he addressed those concerns. He said the testimonies moved him. As such, he offered a personal apology.
Rowling answered with sarcasm on X (formerly Twitter). She wrote, “To be honest, I didn’t even know Vancouver Parks and Recreations had avowed me, so the disavowal hasn’t been much of a blow.” The author continued, “Next time, send me a certificate of avowal, wait until I’ve proudly framed it, hung it over my PC and taken a selfie with it, then revoke it.”
In a follow‑up post, she added, “With time, therapy and the support of my family, I anticipate that I’ll be able to hear the words ‘Vancouver Parks and Recreations’ without suffering a serious breakdown within two to three years.”
A motion from Commissioner Tom Digby passed unanimously and formalized the apology as well as the one‑season limit. However, several commissioners said they didn’t fully grasp the extent of the debate around Rowling’s activism when the event was approved. Warner Bros. controls the “Harry Potter” film franchise and has licensed the city attraction.
Overall, the “Harry Potter” event will go ahead with one season, the park board has apologized for the potentially transphobic idea, and JK Rowling has made clear she won’t be changing her stance.
Originally reported by Ishika Mishra on Reality Tea.
