A Harry Potter-themed formal at Girton College has been cancelled after concerns were raised over the event’s inclusivity, due to its association with the book series’ author, J.K. Rowling.

Rowling has been the subject of significant controversy in recent years, due to her outspoken views on trans rights, which many consider to be transphobic.

The theme for the College’s formal, on October 27, was changed to “spooktober”, the JCR committee announced in an email circulated to students.

Initial concerns were raised over the Harry Potter formal on the anonymous submissions page Girthfessions, with one user calling the planned event “inherently transphobic”.

After such concerns emerged, the College’s JCR committee emailed students apologising for any upset caused by the association with Rowling, stating its commitment to creating a safe space for the LGBT+ community, and assuring students that the author would not be profiting in any way from the event.

In the email the JCR did not, however, suggest that the formal’s theme would change. They stated: “Simply changing the name of the formal would feel as if we are ignoring the distress that has been felt by students surrounding this.”

“We would like to emphasise our focus on the Harry Potter community outside of the business that J.K. Rowling profits from. We encourage an aware interaction with the positive aspects of the community which have distanced themselves from Rowling.”

While one member of the LGBT+ community suggested, on Girthfessions, that Rowling’s views should not prevent people from enjoying the Harry Potter franchise, backlash persisted.

One student wrote that “anyone involved with the offensive, transphobic Harry Potter formal should resign from the JCR immediately” while another argued that it’s “shocking that the Harry Potter formal was allowed to happen in the first place”.

Following continued criticism from the student body, the JCR emailed students again, announcing that after “continued conversations with representatives of the affected communities and senior College staff” they had made the decision to change the formal theme.

The JCR explained that they hoped the change in theme would “make everyone feel comfortable and safe enough to attend this very special night”.

Speaking to Varsity, the JCR committee detailed that they “endeavour to create a safe and inclusive space for everybody at Girton” and therefore “do not wish to hold any event that causes offence to any member of our community”.

“When it came to our attention that some members of our community were distressed by the proposed ‘Harry Potter’ theme for our formal, we reached out to those affected and asked for their input.”

“Following these consultations, and supportive discussions with senior members of College staff, we decided to steer our formal theme away from ‘Harry Potter’ and towards a theme which fosters a safe and inclusive environment which everyone can enjoy,” the JCR committee continued.

The president of the formal’s planning committee also issued a statement, refuting the personal implications of deeming the event “inherently transphobic”, and explicitly stated that he is not transphobic.

Varsity contacted Girton College for comment.