As a former volunteer and later employee of Fandom Forward (what was then called The Harry Potter Alliance) and a transgender man, Jackson Bird’s feelings about Harry Potter have certainly evolved, especially given the extremely divisive statements JK Rowling has made about the transgender community. He shares how what was once an important part of his identity has faded away and why, as well as how he feels about his memoir four years later and what he’s working on now.
Here are some of the references from this episode for those who want to dig a little deeper:
Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place (A Transgender Memoir) (Simon & Schuster)
Cool Stuff Ride Home podcast
First Draft Theater newsletter
The Infinite Wrench — The New York Neo-Futurists
Henry’s writing about the Harry Potter Alliance:
"Cultural acupuncture": Fan activism and the Harry Potter Alliance
Fandom Forward > (formerly The Harry Potter Alliance)
Jackson Bird: ‘Harry Potter’ Helped Me Come Out as Trans, But J.K. Rowling Disappointed Me (NY Times Opinion)
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling podcast
Judy Blume clarifies J.K. Rowling remarks: ‘I wholly support the trans community’ (The Hill)
Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival
Florida Anti-Trans Legislation
Rick Riordan on Trans Youth and LGBTQ Characters
Fan Petition Against “platforming” Rowling
Velshi Banned Book Club on Apple Podcasts
Moving Trans History Forward Conference
Amazon Erases Orwell Books From Kindle Devices - The New York Times
Episode 101: BBSs and Early Internet Communities with Author Kevin Driscoll
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