Is it possible to continue to enjoy the Potterverse while the author continues making ever more strained statements about her anti-trans bigotry?  On the one hand, I’m finding difficulty in my current attempts to reread the series, as my trust in the author is eroded.  On the other hand, there are so many people whose memories and even identities are so entwined with Harry Potter that it is simply not possible to make a clean break and walk away.  The stance of retaining claim to one’s own memories and development, as a reader and a person, while rejecting the bigotry, is a stance worth protecting.

My high schooler and her friend, who run our Octopod business, have listed House-themed octopods as a fundraiser.  They will donate 100% of the proceeds ($10 per octopod) to the Trevor Project, one of the organizations that worked with Harry Potter fan groups such as MuggleNet and the Leaky Cauldron to develop a response to JKR’s bigoted statements.  People can choose if they’d like a bit of rainbow or trans pride ribbon to go with their octopod, or else a sticker with the graphic design by Fox Estacado.  The annual Back to Hogwarts media campaign is heating up, and these octopods want to do their part to declare that everyone is welcome to study magic.

Update: We raised $150 for the Trevor Project.