Straight cis white people, we need to talk.
*big sigh* She-Who-Will-Not-Be-Named is at it again. I completely understand if my trans and queer followers need to skip this video for their own reasons, absolutely no hard feelings.
Queer and trans people, you can do whatever you want with this fandom, I know it means a lot to some of you as queer people. For the rest of you… I’m not going to go into detail myself, there’s plenty of information out there for you to find on your own. What it boils down to is: the author of the Harry Potter series is a very transphobic woman, and she is going all-out on it now. She is not backing down, despite the controversy it’s causing. I am appalled by the things she’s said about trans people, after all of the morals and values she taught a whole generation with the Harry Potter series. But then again… She’s a very privileged white woman, and is doing whatever she can to hold onto that power and stay relevant. It’s not just the transphobia that’s problematic, oh no. She’s also racist and will cherry pick from other cultures, twisting things to suit her needs.
But enough about her and her actions. What’s next? It’s simple. *Don’t* support her or any of her properties. She is STILL getting money from anything tied with the wizarding world. Publishers, marketers, and various industries will continue producing wizarding world things as long as it makes them, and her, money. I know for some people, this is very difficult because Harry Potter means so much to them. I want to be clear – I’m not saying you have to completely cut it out of your life if that’s not what you’re willing to do. But I am saying this. Consider the impact that you will be making by continuing to consume Harry Potter content, buy merch, talking about it with others. You can absolutely enjoy it on your own in the comfort of your home, but posting about it? Continuing the visibility of Harry Potter? Think about that.
If you’re thinking, but what about the wizarding world? What about that lore? I can assure you, there are so many other books out there just as good, and perhaps even better than Harry Potter. This series stopped publishing in 2007. It’s been fourteen years, I can guarantee you there’s far more interesting things out there now. Especially with publishing becoming much more diverse in the past few years! We still have quite a ways to go, but it’s already come a long way since 2007. Here’s some recommendations – from me and some of my friends. The Young Wizards series written by Diane Duane is an excellent one, it was one of my favorites alongside Harry Potter. I’ve been re-reading this series, and it’s holding up! The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire. I’ve read the first couple, and this is a good series that takes inspiration from classic children stories. Trans Wizard Harriet Porber by Chuck Tingle, there are two books now. I haven’t read this personally, but Kathy has and she loved it. This is very much a satire of Harry Potter, absolutely brimming with queerness. I will create a pinned comment with the ones I just mentioned, along with a few more recommendations I didn’t mention. Feel free to add your recommendations on that comment.
I can’t tell you what to do, but I just ask you think about the potential impact that your actions will have, whatever route you choose. I personally said my goodbyes to Harry Potter a long time ago. It’s something I loved and cherished in my childhood, but I’m okay without it today. There’s a whole universe out there to explore.
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Recommendations:
- The Young Wizards by Diane Duane (series, first book titled So You Want to Be a Wizard)
- Wayward Children by Seanan McGuire (series)
- Trans Wizard Harriet Porber by Chuck Tingle (start of series)
- Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey (standalone)
- Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst (duology)
- The Flames of Albiyon by Jean Z. (start of series)
- The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon (start of series)
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan (series)
- Honestly, anything by the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. So much delicious mythology!