The creatives behind a fan-made Michelle Gomez zine have announced that all profits from the publication will be donated to trans charities, following the actress’s recent casting in the upcoming Harry Potter: Full-Cast Audio Editions. Gomez, known for her roles in Doctor Who and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, will voice Professor McGonagall in the new Audible and Pottermore Publishing production.

The zine, a curated tribute to Gomez’s eclectic career and fierce fanbase, was originally conceived as a celebration of her work. However, in light of her involvement in the Harry Potter franchise, a universe tarnished for some following JK Rowling's anti-trans activism, the zine’s creators felt compelled to take a stand. They’ve pledged to donate all proceeds to organisations supporting trans communities.

Since 2020, Rowling has been at the centre of a heated debate over trans rights, having publicly supported legal efforts that exclude trans women from the definition of “woman” under UK law. She also established the JK Rowling Women’s Fund to back similar ‘gender-critical’ cases, with funding sourced in part from Harry Potter-related projects.

This has led many fans and actors to distance themselves from Rowling. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have all publicly expressed support for the trans community, with Radcliffe apologising for any harm caused by Rowling’s statements.

Meanwhile, the fandom itself has become a site of resistance, with queer and trans readers using fan fiction and transformative works to reclaim the narrative and challenge exclusionary ideologies.

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Graham Robson
Graham Robson

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