Trans protesters disrupt Harry Potter play red carpet in London

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 12:02 · Archive

Transgender rights protesters lay on the red carpet at a Harry Potter And The Cursed Child gala at London's Palace Theatre on Thursday.

Transgender rights protesters disrupted the red carpet ahead of a gala performance of the reimagined Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre in London on Thursday. Protesters wearing masks and hats lay on the red carpet before being quickly removed by security. One protester wore a t-shirt reading 'Rowling money kills'.

JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, has faced sustained controversy over her views on gender identity. She has stated that biological sex is 'real' and 'immutable', and has criticised self-declared gender identity as 'quasi-religious' and 'anti-science'. Rowling denies being transphobic and has said she respects 'every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them'.

Her views have divided fans of the franchise and sparked recent waves of protests and boycotts by transgender rights activists targeting Harry Potter-themed events and locations. The gala showcased a new single-part version of the play lasting almost three hours, compared to the original two-part format which debuted in 2016. Celebrities including TV presenter Vanessa Feltz, Good Morning Britain host Richard Arnold, and The Chase's Anne Hegerty attended the event.

Trans protesters disrupt Harry Potter play red carpet in London — Image: This Is Local London

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How it is being reported

Trans rights protesters removed from Harry Potter play red carpet in LondonTransgender rights protesters disrupt the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child red carpet at London’s Palace Theatre amid ongoing JK Rowling controversy.This Is Local London · 16 Oct, 10:07
Trans rights activists target Harry Potter And The Cursed Child show in London's West EndThe incident took place as celebrities were arriving ahead of a performance of Harry Potter And The Cursed ChildEvening Standard · 16 Oct, 07:17

In this story: JK Rowling · Harry Potter And The Cursed Child · Palace Theatre · London

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