The story Harry Potter fans are writing together

Over 14 years, we have grounded our work in story. So we’re going to tell you a story today:

Many years ago, an author who wasn’t yet published was riding a train. Into her head came an idea: a young boy, eleven, scarred and in wizard robes, awkward and in glasses, and absolutely magic.

In the true fashion of the internet, you won’t believe what happened next.

The community that sprang up around that boy wizard and his story of love and friendship conquering great evil was unlike anything the world had experienced. Harry Potter became a global phenomenon, with fans of every race, every nationality, every class, every ability. Every gender.

From that phenomenon, a movement was born — a movement full of creativity, energy, and boundless love. That love — of a story, a community, and each other — helped a lot of fans that didn’t feel welcome other places. Our online spaces, convention halls, podcasts, and wizard rock shows became safe spaces for queer and trans fans who found the Harry Potter community to be filled with other queer and trans fans, and allies that were ready to learn and grow and stand alongside them.

Within that movement, the Harry Potter Alliance was born. We’re an independent 501c3 non-profit led and supported by fans, and together we have made the world a better, more inclusive and loving place. We know that trans women are women, trans men are men, non-binary people are non-binary, and that affirming and respecting people’s gender is kind, loving, and literally saves lives.

We know, too, that a story and a community this big and this magical belongs to all of us and always will. To our trans community: we love you, we see you, and we will continue to uplift your voices and stand with you.

The work of creating a better, safer, more loving world for trans people and for all people starts with each of us. For resources with ways to take action, get started with our Protego toolkit and Neville’s Guide to Tough Conversations.

The weapon we have is love.

The Harry Potter Alliance is a fan-led, fan-funded 501c3 nonprofit that has worked for 14 years to organize fans around LGTBQIA+ rights, immigrant justice, gender equality, and much more. To learn more and support the work of the HPA, visit thehpalliance.org/donate.