A Harry Potter store in New York City has garnered online attention for its display of the trans-inclusive Progress Pride flag. An image of the store, located on Broadway, was shared on Twitter. The flag decoration, celebrating Pride Month, features the trans-Pride colors of white, blue, and pink, reflecting all facets of the LGBTQ community. This gesture comes amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, known for her polarizing views on trans rights. Many Twitter users reacted positively to the store’s show of trans solidarity. However, one user commented that the decision to fly the flag seemed “entirely performative”. Rowling first faced criticism in 2019 for supporting “gender-critical” campaigner Maya Forstater, who was in a legal battle over her anti-trans views. Since then, Rowling has continued to mock the trans community, oppose Scotland’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill, and launch a trans-exclusionary crisis center in Edinburgh.
