Bestselling author J.K. Rowling responded casually to being disavowed by the Vancouver Board of Parks, following their decision to apologize for hosting a Harry Potter event in Stanley Park. In a social media post, Rowling shared her nonchalant reaction to the news, expressing surprise at being “avowed” by the board in the first place.
“I didn’t even know Vancouver Parks and Recreations had avowed me, so the disavowal hasn’t been much of a blow,” Rowling quipped. She humorously suggested that next time, they should send her a “certificate of avowal,” allowing her time to proudly frame it, hang it over her PC, and take a selfie with it before revoking it.
The controversy stemmed from the upcoming Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience event scheduled to debut on November 7 in Stanley Park. The park board unanimously voted to apologize for the event after input from Vancouver’s 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee. Board commissioner Tom Digby explained that the apology aimed to address the harm caused to transgender individuals by hosting the event and to disavow Rowling’s perceived political stance against their community.
This decision reflects the board’s commitment to supporting and affirming the lives and rights of transgender, gender diverse, and two-spirit individuals in Vancouver.