MuggleNet Interviews Representative of HP Fans Against Transphobia Coalition

by · May 3, 2023

The announcement of a television reboot of the Harry Potter series has been met with mixed reactions. While some fans of the Wizarding World franchise are eagerly awaiting the new show, planned for the streaming service Max, others are not looking forward to it for various reasons. Yesterday, MuggleNet published a piece covering an open letter and associated petition opposing the reboot due to concerns surrounding the views of author J.K. Rowling.

We were able to interview Lark Malakai Grey in his capacity as a representative of HP Fans Against Transphobia, the coalition behind the open letter and petition, for more information on the coalition’s efforts.

First, Grey discussed the response to the open letter and petition from the fandom community, explaining in part the drive of many fans of the Harry Potter series to achieve justice in the real world.

The Harry Potter fandom community is largely made up of folks who care deeply about justice, which is a big part of what drew many of us to the series in the first place. The message of Harry Potter is that it’s important to stand up and fight against bigotry and bullies, and as fans of the series, we have taken that to heart.

Grey also gave his thoughts on how the reboot series – described when it was announced as spanning seven seasons to correspond with each of the seven Harry Potter books – could affect the fandom.

Something I’ve noticed since the reboot was announced is that Rowling’s bigotry isn’t the only reason folks aren’t excited about it: people also just aren’t interested in another interpretation of the original series. So while I very much hope that the show never makes it to air, I don’t think it will last more than a single season if it does. The fandom simply doesn’t want this show.

One of the main questions we had for Grey was whether removing J.K. Rowling’s stated involvement in the series as an executive producer would affect the coalition’s stance.

I’m sure there are different feelings amongst the signers about this, but I believe most of us are in agreement that any project stemming from her intellectual property, whether or not she is directly involved, is a tacit endorsement of her bigotry. She has been clear that she interprets her royalty cheques as a sign that people endorse her transphobic behavior, and she uses her money and platform to actively harm trans people, so there really isn’t a way to create new official Wizarding World content without encouraging her bigotry.

New Wizarding World content is being released constantly, with Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions announced as the latest video game title in the franchise in April. With more content likely to come, Grey also gave his thoughts on how members of the fandom could choose to approach these future extensions of the franchise.

Each new addition to the Wizarding World franchise is an opportunity for fans to fight for a better world. Deciding not to purchase a video game is even easier than signing a petition (which only takes 30 seconds!), and it saves you money, too! I hope that more and more fans recognize how powerful we are when we come together and use that collective power to make the world a better, safer place for trans people, and thereby, for everyone.

You can read the full transcript of MuggleNet’s interview with Lark Malakai Grey below.

Full Transcript with Lark Malakai Grey, Wednesday, May 3, 2023

As of the time of this interview, the signatories on the open letter include individuals and entities that are likely to be well-known to the Wizarding World fandom community. Why do you think this letter and petition have resonated with so many people?

The Harry Potter fandom community is largely made up of folks who care deeply about justice, which is a big part of what drew many of us to the series in the first place. The message of Harry Potter is that it’s important to stand up and fight against bigotry and bullies, and as fans of the series, we have taken that to heart. Sadly, the author herself is now one of the most vocal bullies against the trans community. The past few years have been a real test of character for the fandom as a whole, but what we have seen is mostly a beautiful display of what a true passion for justice looks like: standing for what you know is right, even when it hurts.

The author [J.K. Rowling] has made her views on proposed boycotts of the Harry Potter reboot clear, based on a highly publicized tweet from her verified Twitter account. Has this discouraged you at all?

I believe Kanye West tweeted something similarly self-assured just days before all his brand partnerships dropped his contracts due to his bigotry, so no, we are not discouraged by her confidence. Companies act in their own self-interest, and if HBO Max gets the message that it will make them look bad to keep working with her, they will act to protect their image.

Given that the Harry Potter reboot is slated to be a multi-season, multi-year endeavor, how do you see it affecting the fandom if the series goes forward as planned by Warner Bros. Discovery?

Something I’ve noticed since the reboot was announced is that Rowling’s bigotry isn’t the only reason folks aren’t excited about it: people also just aren’t interested in another interpretation of the original series. So while I very much hope that the show never makes it to air, I don’t think it will last more than a single season if it does. The fandom simply doesn’t want this show.

Another important aspect of this situation is that transphobia is deeply unpopular, and that will likely impact their ability to find talent to work on the show. Any writer, director, or actor who signed on would do so knowing that it will forever negatively mark their reputation. Which is to say, if the show were made, it would probably be quite bad.

Concerning the open letter and petition, how would the removal of the author's [J.K. Rowling's] involvement in the reboot change your stance on the project, if at all?

I’m sure there are different feelings amongst the signers about this, but I believe most of us are in agreement that any project stemming from her intellectual property, whether or not she is directly involved, is a tacit endorsement of her bigotry. She has been clear that she interprets her royalty cheques as a sign that people endorse her transphobic behavior, and she uses her money and platform to actively harm trans people, so there really isn’t a way to create new official Wizarding World content without encouraging her bigotry.

The reboot of the Harry Potter series likely won't be the only new addition to the Wizarding World franchise in the years to come, and we already have the announcement of the Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions game as one example. How do you feel fans should approach these new developments and how they engage in fandom going forward?

We have to hold out hope that these projects will cease as companies recognize that the public doesn’t feel good about them working with Rowling or her IP. Part of making that happen will also require the fandom to continue actively not engaging with the new releases, as low sales are the best way to get that message across (for evidence that this works, just look to the Fantastic Beasts franchise!)

Each new addition to the Wizarding World franchise is an opportunity for fans to fight for a better world. Deciding not to purchase a video game is even easier than signing a petition (which only takes 30 seconds!), and it saves you money, too! I hope that more and more fans recognize how powerful we are when we come together and use that collective power to make the world a better, safer place for trans people, and thereby, for everyone.

To read the open letter from HP Fans Against Transphobia or to sign the petition yourself, visit Action Network.