Note from the Headmistress…
My dear Friends, in deference to the diversity of our group, I try to keep our Craftalong relatively free of politics. Many of us see the HPC as a refuge from the world around us, and I try to maintain that to the best of my ability. But once in a while, something in the real world comes up which must be addressed. This is one of those times.
I know many of you will have either seen or heard about the transphobic comments made by JK Rowling. The stance Rowling has taken has angered, frustrated, and hurt many trans people, especially young fans of her books. This is all the more heartbreaking amid the background of violence we are seeing right now in America, by police, against unarmed protestors working to change racist systems and ideologies. It can be difficult to reconcile a love & fandom for for a work of fiction, art or film, when fundamentally disagreeing with its author or creator on an important topic. After all, Rowling told us that Hogwarts would always welcome us back home, and reminded us that that love is the greatest magic in our world.
So where does that leave us?
It leaves us just where we always have been; a place of uncompromising love and inclusivity.
I want all of you here to know, in no uncertain terms, that YOU are welcome here.
You are welcome here if you are cis or trans gender. You are welcome here if you are gay, straight, bi, poly, or asexual. You are welcome here if you are a person of color or if you are white. You are welcome here if you are devoted to a specific religion, if you are open to spirituality, or if you are an atheist or agnostic.
What is not, and will never be welcome here, is racism, bigotry, intolerance, or cruelty.
This is, and always will be, a place of sharing, creativity, and most of all, love.