How Did Harry Potter Enter The Trans Debate? - Megan Phelps-Roper - #647

**Chris Williamson** (0:00)
Hello friends, welcome back to the show. My guest today is Megan Phelps-Roper. She's a social activist, public speaker, and author known for her insights into religious extremism. Harry Potter is the most banned book of the 21st century. Firstly, frowned upon by far-right Christian groups for its promotion of witchcraft, the controversy has recently pivoted to the far left who have concerns that JK Rowling is promoting transphobia. The obvious question is, how did one of the most beloved children's authors of all time end up here? Expect to learn the reason behind the widespread backlash and cancellation of JK Rowling, whether Rowling is worried about ruining her legacy, how the platforms like 4chan and Tumblr were so pivotal in this movement, just how similar the trans rights movement is to the gay rights movement, Megan's perspective on the What Is A Woman documentary, how Megan's upbringing in the Westboro Baptist Church gives her a unique insight on this story, and much more. In other news, this episode is brought to you by Gymshark. Today at 11 a.m. EST or 4 p.m. UK, Gymshark's global sale goes live, and there is up to 60% of all items site-wide. Plus, you can get an additional 10% of everything using my code MW10 if you go through bit.ly slash shark wisdom. That link opens up all of the codes and all of the discounts. So if you've been thinking that you need to get some new gym kit or that you need to get some as a gift for somebody else, and you've been vacillating about the purchase, now is the time to go and stock up on Gymshark stuff. They do not do sales very often, and this is one that you need to take advantage of. Up to 60% off everything site-wide, plus an additional 10% if you go to bit.ly slash shark wisdom and the code MW10 at checkout. In other other news, this episode is brought to you by 8sleep. It is unbearably hot in Austin at the moment, and 8sleep is probably the only thing keeping me alive on an evening time. Summer is reaching its apex and being too hot in bed is one of the most common reasons that people say that their sleep is ruined. The Pod Pro cover by 8sleep fits on any bed just like a fitted sheet. It'll improve your sleep by automatically adjusting the temperature on each side of the bed based on yours and your partner's individual needs. Can cool down and warm up. It adjusts based on the phases of your sleep and the environment that you're in. Also, there are exclusive summer savings on the Pod cover until July 10th throughout the EU, Australia, US, Canada and the UK. Head to 8sleep.com/modernwisdom. That's E-I-G-H-T sleep.com/modernwisdom to upgrade your sleep today. And in final news, this episode is brought to you by Craftd London. They are the number one men's jewelry company worldwide, literally the biggest on the planet. And it's not surprising, their beautiful necklaces, chains, pendants, bracelets, rings and earrings, custom designs in gold and silver. They're sweat proof, waterproof, heat proof and gym proof. And they come with a lifetime guarantee. So for any reason, if it breaks during the entire life of the product, they will give you a new one for free. I love their pieces, their bracelets and their necklaces are fantastic. If you see the episodes that I'm always recording, all of the pieces that I'm wearing are crafted. And you can get a 15% discount off everything site wide and worldwide if you go to bit.ly slash letter C, letter D, wisdom and use the code MW15 at checkout. That's bit.ly slash CDWISDOM and MW15 at checkout. But now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Megan Phelps-Roper.
Harry Potter is one of the most banned books of the 21st century. Why?

**Megan Phelps-Roper** (4:01)
Well, I mean, for a lot of people, it was originally Christians. There was a certain, and not all Christians, but there was a certain kind of Christian who believed that they were losing the culture in the 90s. And I think Harry Potter was, it became like, it was the biggest target. But there were many things, if you look back, we examine this in our show. You look back, there is Sabrina, the teenage witch, and the craft, and charmed, and just many, many different examples of witchcraft in the culture. And so Harry Potter became a huge target because a lot of people really loved it.

**Chris Williamson** (4:43)
How many bannings has there been in the last couple of years? Has there been any movement to try and get Harry Potter itself re-banned?

**Megan Phelps-Roper** (4:51)
There's been some, it's not a lot. It's definitely, I mean, I think it was a product of that moment in time. So it's definitely not been, I don't think, the same kind of, a target in the same way that it was in the 90s, for sure.