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Transgender Coles staff have complained about having to hand out Harry Potter cards that may ‘trigger’ thoughts about author JK Rowling’s controversial views on trans women.
Packs of the Potter-themed collectable cards have been distributed to shoppers across Australia since July for every $30 spent at the supermarket.
But Daily Mail Australia understands some of Coles’ 900 ‘transgender and gender diverse staff’ are uncomfortable with the collectables because of the JK Rowling trans row.
The very rich British author, who penned the hugely popular fantasy series, has been accused of transphobia with her claims trans activists are denying the rights of biological women.
Daniel Radcliffe, who became a megastar child actor playing Harry Potter in the movie spin off, distanced himself from Rowling, as have fellow cast members Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger and Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley.
Daily Mail Australia understands transgender Coles staff have raised concern with management over the Harry Potter cards because they may trigger thoughts about author JK Rowling’s controversial views on trans women
JK Rowling has upset transgender activists since declaring, in a 2020 blog post, that denying the biological reality of being a woman was ‘deeply misogynistic and regressive’
Coles in June announced Harry Potter collectible cards would be given away at the checkout
Transgender activist Norrie May-Welby, who won a landmark High Court legal fight to be officially recognised as having no specific gender in 2014, said the supermarket giant should allow staff to opt out of having to give away the ‘Magical Builders’ cards at the checkout.
‘Reassign them to duties where handing out these promotions is not part of their job,’ Norrie told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Behind the deli counter, greeting customers, assisting the self checkout, working the cigarette desk or on internet orders.’
Coles, which announced in May its staff would be entitled to up to 10 days of ‘paid gender affirmation leave’, has urged any workers concerned about the cards to talk to their manager.
‘Coles promotes an inclusive workplace and we strongly encourage any team member with concerns about gender diversity issues to raise them with their store manager or line manager, or if they don’t feel comfortable doing this, then through our Pride Network who are there to support our LGBTQI+ community,’ a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia in a statement.
Norrie May-Welby, who in 2014 won a landmark High Court legal fight to be gender non-specific in NSW, says the supermarket giant should allow staff to opt out of having to give away the ‘Magical Builders’ cards at the checkout
Coles proudly announced in May its staff would be entitled to up to 10 days of ‘paid gender affirmation leave’. It has urged any workers concerned about the cards to talk to their manager
‘Coles is proud of our diversity and inclusion, we have many initiatives supporting the LGBTQI+ community and we will always stand up against homophobia, biphobia, intersexism and transphobia.’
However, Coles would not guarantee a whistleblower would be allowed to publicly speak out without being sanctioned.
Norrie acknowledged it could be impractical for transgender staff to refuse to hand out the Harry Potter cards, despite their views on its creator.
‘The store has spent money promoting this, and enticing customers in with expectations, so they might not be happy with a staff member only providing partial service,’ she said.
Nonetheless, Norrie said checkout staff should ‘have some discretion in how enthusiastically they push these’ promotional items.
And she suggested Coles could at least give transgender staff uncomfortable with having to hand out the cards the option of working away from the checkout.
Rowling has upset transgender activists since declaring, in a June 2020 blog post, that denying the biological reality of being a woman was ‘deeply misogynistic and regressive’.
‘I refuse to bow down to a movement that I believe is doing demonstrable harm in seeking to erode “woman” as a political and biological class and offering cover to predators like few before it,’ she said.
Norrie, 61, who had gender reassignment surgery at age 28, said Rowling’s ‘questionable views on gender and transgender’ did not mean the LGBTIQA+ community could not enjoy the Harry Potter books and movies.
The franchise itself was not trans or homophobic, the activist said.
‘It is different to the typist who first channelled them before going on to channel less charitable thoughts on gender.’
Daniel Radcliffe (right), who became a megastar child actor playing Harry Potter in the movie spin off, distanced himself from Rowling, as have fellow cast members Emma Watson (left), who played Hermione Granger and Rupert Grint (centre), who played Ron Weasley
Coles has signed up as an official partner of Pride Cup Australia, which promotes inclusivity and diversity in sport. Pictured is Coles chief legal and safety officer David Brewster with Pride Cup founder Jason Ball, a former Greens candidate
Coles has at least 900 team members who identify as transgender or gender diverse, the supermarket announced in a May statement promoting its paid gender affirmation leave.
A month later, in June, Coles announced individually-wrapped Harry Potter collectible cardboard cards would be given away at the checkout.
‘The Harry Potter universe holds a special place in the hearts of millions of Australians and we hope Magical Builders will spark creativity and joy for many people,’ a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
There are 30 cards to collect and the promotion continues until August 30.
Coles in May announced it would provide 10 days’ ‘paid gender affirmation leave’