OK, this is a tough one and what I’m about to say might get me some dislikes. Let me just say something that might soften the blow: Fuck Rowling, her transphobia, and the bigots that defend her wretched views. Even if she decided, in an alternative timeline, to keep her loudmouth shut, she would still be the scum of the earth for her views on trans people. I repeat, Fuck Rowling.
Now, with that out the way, let’s address the crux of the issue. I know that many of you in the LGBTQ+ community grew up with the franchise and enjoyed it long before Rowling exposed her true colors. If you’re LGBTQ+ and you decide to reconcile, in some way, with the franchise without directly supporting Rowling, you’re well within your rights to do so. The nostalgia you feel for something that brought you joy in your youth is yours to keep. No one, not even the creator themselves, can take that from you. As for the products themselves? You can: buy the books secondhand, pirate the movies, pirate the EPUBs if you have an e reader and buy fan-made merch from LGBTQ±friendly sellers.
If decided to not reconcile with the franchise, you’re also well within your rights to do so. Rowling has to made aware of the damage her views have on people. Demonstrate the hypocrisy of writing about a group of outsiders finding a place of acceptance and discovering their true selves and espousing bigoted rhetoric towards a discriminated group wanting acceptance for their true selves. There’s plenty of other fictional universes you can draw your attention towards (more on that in a moment) that are far less problematic and worthier of your time.
If you’re an ally (like myself), it’s best that we don’t engage with the franchise all together out of support. For me, this isn’t a problem since I didn’t engage with the franchise all that much in my youth (I was more of a LOTR fan). If you do decide to reconcile, much of what I have already said still applies.
In short, the question of reconciliation is a personal matter. So long as Rowling isn’t benefiting, you should be happy with your decision and the stand you take. As for alternatives? Well…
I’m reading the Tiffany Aching books right now, about to finish the whole 41 book discworld series and it’s absolutely unfair to say Discworld is an alternative to Harry Potter, it’s just so, so, so much better. Better universe, better writing, better characters - and better writer with better character.
Indeed. Longtime pratchett fan, potter doesn’t hold a candle.
(I still can’t being myself to read shepherds crown. As soon as i do, there will be no more discworld books. And i’m not ready for the turtle to stop moving)
I took my time too. The shepherds crown may be my favorite of his books. I’m sad there’s no more, but that just means I can read them all again whenever I need them. It’ll be ready for you when you’re ready for it.
Huge universe, both futuristic and ancient world exists, lots of lore, lots of different fractions, tons of video games and minis as well. If some specific fractions are avoided it shouldn’t be hostile towards marginalized groups or at least I’m not that aware of it.
^(Warning: Plastic crack can be addictive, please consult with your financial advisor before starting)
OK, this is a tough one and what I’m about to say might get me some dislikes. Let me just say something that might soften the blow: Fuck Rowling, her transphobia, and the bigots that defend her wretched views. Even if she decided, in an alternative timeline, to keep her loudmouth shut, she would still be the scum of the earth for her views on trans people. I repeat, Fuck Rowling.
Now, with that out the way, let’s address the crux of the issue. I know that many of you in the LGBTQ+ community grew up with the franchise and enjoyed it long before Rowling exposed her true colors. If you’re LGBTQ+ and you decide to reconcile, in some way, with the franchise without directly supporting Rowling, you’re well within your rights to do so. The nostalgia you feel for something that brought you joy in your youth is yours to keep. No one, not even the creator themselves, can take that from you. As for the products themselves? You can: buy the books secondhand, pirate the movies, pirate the EPUBs if you have an e reader and buy fan-made merch from LGBTQ±friendly sellers.
If decided to not reconcile with the franchise, you’re also well within your rights to do so. Rowling has to made aware of the damage her views have on people. Demonstrate the hypocrisy of writing about a group of outsiders finding a place of acceptance and discovering their true selves and espousing bigoted rhetoric towards a discriminated group wanting acceptance for their true selves. There’s plenty of other fictional universes you can draw your attention towards (more on that in a moment) that are far less problematic and worthier of your time.
If you’re an ally (like myself), it’s best that we don’t engage with the franchise all together out of support. For me, this isn’t a problem since I didn’t engage with the franchise all that much in my youth (I was more of a LOTR fan). If you do decide to reconcile, much of what I have already said still applies.
In short, the question of reconciliation is a personal matter. So long as Rowling isn’t benefiting, you should be happy with your decision and the stand you take. As for alternatives? Well…
The already mentioned Lord of The Rings
Dune series
Discworld
Elric of Melniboné
Wheel of Time
Discworld, hands down. Toss the terf and load up on Monstrous Regiment (and dwarfs)
I’m reading the Tiffany Aching books right now, about to finish the whole 41 book discworld series and it’s absolutely unfair to say Discworld is an alternative to Harry Potter, it’s just so, so, so much better. Better universe, better writing, better characters - and better writer with better character.
Terry’s books written under the shadow of the embuggerance are still far better written than anything by Rowling.
Indeed. Longtime pratchett fan, potter doesn’t hold a candle.
(I still can’t being myself to read shepherds crown. As soon as i do, there will be no more discworld books. And i’m not ready for the turtle to stop moving)
I took my time too. The shepherds crown may be my favorite of his books. I’m sad there’s no more, but that just means I can read them all again whenever I need them. It’ll be ready for you when you’re ready for it.
Even if you read the books, they’ll still be there and the turtle will still move. GNU Terry Pratchett.
How about Warhammer universe?
Huge universe, both futuristic and ancient world exists, lots of lore, lots of different fractions, tons of video games and minis as well. If some specific fractions are avoided it shouldn’t be hostile towards marginalized groups or at least I’m not that aware of it.
^(Warning: Plastic crack can be addictive, please consult with your financial advisor before starting)
Warhammer is great, but it also has a lot of it’s own baggage.