WATCH: Vancouver Park Board cancels HARRY POTTER attraction after trans activist outrage
A Harry Potter-themed holiday attraction in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, approved by the Vancouver Park Board, has stirred controversy and prompted an apology from city officials.
A Harry Potter-themed holiday attraction in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, approved by the Vancouver Park Board, has stirred controversy and prompted an apology from city officials due to backlash from the city’s “transgender and gender-diverse communities.”
The Vancouver Park Board apologized after approving the Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience following strong backlash from members of the city’s so-called transgender and gender-diverse communities.
Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to apologize and to strengthen consultations with the city’s ‘S2LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee’ for future events that could carry “equity or human rights implications.”
The immersive event, created by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, allows visitors to walk through a light-filled “forbidden forest” inspired by the Harry Potter series. Tickets start at about $50 for children and climb to more than $80 for adults.
The criticism stems from the event’s association with author J.K. Rowling, who has faced years of backlash for remarks about transgender policies and sex-specific spaces for women.
The issue also rekindled local tensions following the professional misconduct case of Vancouver nurse Amy Hamm, who faced a three-year regulatory battle over public comments supporting Rowling.
Hamm has faced years of legal and financial backlash for promoting an “I (Heart) J.K. Rowling” billboard in the city.
Hamm took to X on Thursday in response to the park board’s motion.
“The park board of Vancouver crying together, issuing a public denouncement of J.K. Rowling and promising to ‘rebuild’ public trust because of a Harry Potter forest walk for kids.”
“None of these people are okay,” her post added, along with a laughing emoji.
Social media influencer and women’s sex-specific spaces advocate Meghan Murphy also chimed in on X.
“What exactly are you apologizing for?” Murphy asked rhetorically, referring to the park board.
“Hosting an event associated with a book written by a woman who stands up for women’s rights and spaces in the face of endless harassment, insults and threats?” Murphy — who called Vancouver home for years — further asked rhetorically.
Members of the park’s board have promoted such an event “will never happen again,” with some news articles on the event suggesting the attraction goes against the City of Vancouver’s 2016 Transgender, Gender Diverse, Two-Spirit Action Plan.
Heres is what AI has to say about the source of funding Several of the organizations that have been mentioned in coverage or are active in issues related to 2SLGBTQI+ rights in Vancouver do receive government funding. Below are a few examples, which show substantial support, though none are proven to be tied specifically to the Harry Potter protest:
Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) in Vancouver got $1,243,216 from the federal government (Women and Gender Equality Canada) under the “Strengthening 2SLGBTQI+ communities to advance equality in Canada” initiative.
Canada.ca
QMUNITY, BC’s Queer, Trans, and Two-Spirit Resource Centre Society, received $125,000 from the City of Vancouver in 2025 for programs improving support, connection, and leadership for 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
City of Vancouver
Also, there’s a major project involving QMUNITY’s physical space: the new QMUNITY hub in downtown Vancouver is being funded through a mixed partnership: city capital, provincial, and federal contributions. For example, a chunk of funding through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and BC Housing, plus City of Vancouver money and land equity.
Vancouver Council
positivelypositive.ca
Our government funding the radicals with our money. That is out and out theft and must stop.