4
Credit: Universal StudiosJK Rowling has responded to a park that apologized for the addition of a Harry Potter attraction.
The author has spent recent years at the center of fierce backlash for her remarks about transgender issues. Her essays and social media posts have been widely condemned, drawing accusations of transphobia from activists, LGBTQ+ groups, and many former readers.
Controversy deepened in 2020, when Rowling doubled down on her positions, insisting she was defending women’s rights. Critics argued her framing directly harmed transgender people. Since then, companies and celebrities have distanced themselves, including Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.
Tensions reignited earlier this fall after Watson addressed her relationship with Rowling during an appearance on Jay Shetty’s podcast. “There’s just no world in which I could ever cancel her out, or cancel that out, for anything,” Watson said. “It has to remain true. It is true. I just don’t know what else to do other than hold these two seemingly incompatible things together at the same time and just hope maybe they will one day resolve or co-join themselves, and maybe accept that they never will, but that they can both still be true.”
After Rowling later reposted a spoof of Watson’s interview, the author shared an essay (read: rant) on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which she accused Watson of hypocrisy. She also claimed that Watson’s recent declarations of compassion towards her marked a “change of tack. I suspect she’s adopted because she’s noticed full-throated condemnation of me is no longer quite as fashionable as it was.”
As Rowling has grown more vocally critical of the transgender community in recent years, plenty of former fans have since criticized corporations for spotlighting Harry Potter. The HBO reboot was denounced as profit-driven, while calls to boycott the video game “Hogwarts Legacy” gained traction (even if they weren’t entirely productive).
Park Shares Regret Over Addition of ‘Harry Potter’ Attraction
The latest organization to try to distance itself from Rowling is the Vancouver Park Board.
At a Vancouver Park Board meeting on October 7, officials expressed regret for sanctioning Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience. The interactive Harry Potter attraction, scheduled to open in Stanley Park in November, quickly drew criticism for its connection to Rowling. Critics argued the approval undermined the board’s commitment to inclusivity.
Commissioner Tom Digby later wrote on X that the board “did the right thing” by apologizing to the transgender, gender diverse, and two-spirit community. “We shared some tears,” he posted. “Disavowed JKR. Will undertake concrete actions to rebuild trust.”
Rowling responded the following day. “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,” she wrote on X. She sarcastically added they should next time “send me a certificate of avowal” before revoking it.
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. 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. pic.twitter.com/3dpWWCAXsF
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 9, 2025
During the meeting, LGBTQ+ activist Rob Hadley urged the board to reconsider backing the event. “Many in our community tell us they remain deeply concerned,” he said, warning the park was giving a platform to “a high-profile figure they feel has consistently amplified negative messages about transgender individuals.”
Commissioner Brennan Bastyovanszky apologized, stressing the park board “is for everyone.” He added, “We must all do so in a way that does not erase the voices of those who feel excluded by its author.” The board limited the event to a single season, with no renewal or extension.
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is an outdoor, nighttime trail attraction featuring illuminated sets, interactive moments, and themed merchandise. Produced under license from Warner Bros., the experience has toured locations in the likes of the U.K., New York, Brussels, and Singapore.
Past Professional Conflict For JK Rowling
This isn’t the first time a company has tried to distance itself from Rowling.
Back in 2023, the Auckland Museum in New Zealand decided to pull out of hosting the traveling exhibition “Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature” – inspired by the seemingly canceled spinoff series of the same name – in the wake of Rowling’s pledging her support to Posie Parker (Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull). The anti-transgender rights activist and founder of the group Standing for Women triggered mass protests upon her arrival for speaking engagements in New Zealand in March 2023. Rowling tweeted on X (then known as Twitter) that she found the protests “repellent” and described those involved as a “mob.”
Of course, the largest and best-known Harry Potter attractions are located at Universal theme parks. While Universal has always maintained its commitment to diversity and inclusivity, some have urged guests to boycott the Wizarding World of Harry Potter areas.
Despite these efforts, the lands continue to attract thousands of guests per day, with a third area – the Ministry of Magic – added to Universal Orlando Resort with the opening of Epic Universe in May.
What’s your favorite Harry Potter attraction?