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.

Note: The video of the full meeting is available at the end of this article.

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.

Source: hpforbiddenforestexperience.com

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.