Norwegian librarians refuse to arrange Harry Potter events because of J.K. Rowling’s transphobia
Norwegian public libraries will often arrange special thematic events for both kids and adults. The Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten reports that many Norwegian librarians will no longer arrange so-called «Harry Potter Book Nights».
These three Harry Potter actors – Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe – have all condemned J.J. Rowling’s transphobia.
There is an active debate among librarians over at Facebook.
Martha Bjørkås i Sandefjord says that she will give out the Harry Potter books to people who ask for them, but she will not promote the books or initiate Harry Potter events.
She argues that Rowling has a responsibility as a children’s book author:
“Many trans people find it very hard to see that Rowling continue to get support and that many simply dismiss the problems caused by what she has said. The least I can do is not to promote these books.”
The librarians Bjørkås and Beck will not promote the Harry Potter books due to Rowling’s attacks on transgender people (photos: private/Aftenposten).
Alternative fantasy books
Library chief Leo Beck in Kvinesdal points out that there are many fantasy books that are LGBT-friendly:
“Many felt that Harry Potter could be seen as an inclusive universe. But then the author ruined that idea.”
He dismisses the idea that Rowling has been “cancelled”:
“The privileged ones are often the ones that makes the most noise. After a year people have often forgotten what they have said and done, so they are not excluded [from the public arena].”
Both Bjørkås and Beck points to Rowling’s transphobic essay from last year.
“She argues as if trans people represent something dangerous that threatens young people and other adults. She has gone too far.”
Knut Hamsun, Roald Dahl and Adolf Hitler
This is not the first time Norwegian librarians have faced such challenges. Many refer to the Nazi sympathies of the famous Norwegian author Knut Hamsun and the antisemitic ideas of the British children’s book author Roald Dahl.
Harry Potter fan and librarian Ragnhild Malfang (sic!!!) of the Lillestrøm libraries says:
“I believe it is possible to display the Harry Potter books together with other fantasy books as portals into other words. We have Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler, but we rarely include it in exhibitions unless it is relevant.”
She points to Harry Potter fan fiction and argues that you might dress up as a HP character without expressing support for Rowling’s ideas about transgender people.
The Norwegian librarian community is divided as regards Rowling, but the general consensus seems to be that no librarian can be forced to promote the Harry Potter books.
Harry Potter is not J.K. Rowling
I have binned all the Harry Potter books in our home. Still, I understand that some parents might find it hard to deny their kids access to that universe.
In that case it might make sense to tell the children that a fictional universe cannot be reduced to the opinions of the author and that it is possible to learn about diversity, compassion and decency from reading the Harry Potter books.
The problem is that Rowling, due to some irrational bigotry, has forgotten the main message of her own books.This transphobia taints her books by association.
