Petition urges LondonMayor to scrap Harry Potter Christmas lights over transphobia

[IwantToRetire]

Thousands of people have signed a petition calling on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to cancel Harry Potter-themed Christmas lights planned for Oxford Street this year.

The display is intended to promote the forthcoming Harry Potter TV series, but campaigners object to the promotion of JK Rowling's work due to what they argue are here anti-trans views.

Signatories to the petition, which was organised by the Good Law Project, also say the lights will leave trans people feeling unwelcome and unsafe in one of London's best-known festive locations.

Article continues at https://www.localgov.co.uk/Petition-urges-Khan-to-scrap-Harry-Potter-Christmas-lights-over-transphobia-/65071

I heard an interview with Armando Iannucci and he said they would come up with some simpleton farce for Thick Of It and then they'd get calls from people in Government asking how they'd found out what had happened.

Eventually the reality got so stupid there was no merit in spoofing it.

What a daft bunch.

I find this absolutely hilarious.
Operation, Let Them Speak, indeed.

Christ almighty. Why do these people imagine they have a right to feel welcome everywhere? I’m frequently in Central London, I don’t feel welcomed by the thousands of random strangers I walk past; why would I?
They don’t give a shiny shite whether I’m there or not and that’s perfectly fine by me.

I’m surprised the grifters that are the GLP haven’t claimed that £1million yet seeing as they are so convinced of JKR’s “transphobia”.

I would sign! My dd is very excited about taking a trip to London to see the lights and the new store, and I am sure thousands of other children are as well!

I was walking down Oxford Street today and there's a whole bit sectioned off with signs for the Diagon Alley shops that are being mocked up along with signs inviting magical staff applications! Proper money is being spent so I doubt very much they will pull back on it now. Opening November apparently, it looks like it will be rather cool. Accio literal genocide 😂 Expelliarmus sad face special men

Silent night, violent lights,
Transwomen quake at the sight,
Genocide from London afar,
Bad Law Project cries "Transphobia!"
Jolyon the Saviour is here!
Jolyon the Saviour is here!

Wonderful!

I hadn’t realised the lights were going to be HP themed. I will make sure to take my daughter to see them. Hurrah too the blue hair brigade for bringing this to my attention. It might have passed me by if they hadn’t made this petition (and therefore on to MN).

I would imagine that those involved in the lights can’t change them now so if would ultimately mean no lights in this area. I really can’t see that would help their cause in anyway, other than to annoy others who will blame them for being such miseries at Christmas.

Cheers for the info. Rowling's appalling, deeply irresponsible behaviour is encouraging the anti-trans violence in schools which nearly killed my kid. He still has scars. Shall remember to sign later 👍

I am hate Ru Paul Drag Race as it platforms the male fantasy of how they would “be a better woman”.

It makes me feel unsafe because it is demonstrates and celebrates misogyny by a public broadcaster.

But I just don’t watch it.

Bah Humbug to them all.

feeling unwelcome and unsafe

I really hate that phrase, like #BeKind and all the other dribbley phrases they've used to death.

5000 signatures is a lower number for the perpetually offended grievance monkeys, it might be an indication that interest in this stupidity is finally waning.

It’s lovely to hear the lights will be different this year. I’m not sure anyone feels that safe while viewing them, given the size of the crowds and worry about phone snatchers.

Well whatever happens JKR will make more millions from HP to give to charities she supports and it will be the London tourist industry's loss

Can you explain exactly what "anti trans" behaviours Rowling has encouraged that don't involve protecting the rights of women?

Can you also explain why your child would feel threat from some Christmas lights advertising a show about to start streaming on HBO?

Do they also feel too threatened to go into a bookshop which sells "Mein Kampf", because logically they should.

Did you miss the part where Sadiq Khan has nothing to do with the lights, so petitioning him is a massive waste of time?

The self-absorption, selfishness and self-pity is enraging. Hundreds of thousands of people enjoy those lights and make trips to central London to see them, they enjoy themselves and retail benefits - and in this economy that's all to the good.

But that has to be cancelled because a load of crybabies 'don't feel safe and don't feel welcome.'
.

I think London should go ahead with the lights (which they almost certainly have already paid for so are going to use).

But they should set up a trans support station at the end of Oxford Street for anyone who has a meltdown, promising to record the impact on anyone so that they can later report back on the impact these light have had for future planning decisions. We hope that in line with the law, sex will be recorded as part of this process.

This can be billed to the Good Laugh Project who I'm sure will support such a worthy cause.

I would also like to know why there isn't already a permanent protest camp outside Warner Brothers and Kings Cross Station. Perhaps the Green Party can spare a few Gazza agents (sic) and arrange for this.

What do you mean? That they haven't actually listened to what she's said? That she talks sense and isn't anti-trans? In which case I agree with you.

You understood me.

I think much of this stems from SKs SM posts in August. He must pay for his sins.

Good lord.

Has JKR ever said she doesn’t want trans people to enjoy HP?

Has JKR ever said anything that suggests trans people should not have equal rights to visit Oxford St without fear of discrimination or harassment?

No.

All she has done is stand firm on women’s sex based rights in certain contexts.

Will a HP light display really prompt people to throw half eaten chips or hurl insults at trans people in the street?