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Pride in Diagon Alley?

Inspired by the muggle parade and by proposals from LGBT+ groups in the wizarding world, the Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, is investigating the possibility of a Pride Parade in Diagon Alley. “There are a lot of technical difficulties we have to work around, but a plan is in the works.” He said in a press statement yesterday afternoon.

In small and large cities across the muggle world so called 'Pride Parades' or 'Pride Festivals’ have become a common occurrence. The festivals, often featuring marches and parades, are well visited by the LGBT+ population. For example, the Pride Parade in London in 2015 attracted 1 million visitors.

Many from the wizarding world have participated amongst the muggles in these parades in the past, the famous activist Georgie Skeeter (a distant relative to the infamous Rita Skeeter) attended London Pride in 2014, and has since lobbied for more of the wizarding community to get involved.

“It is important that we also remember to take pride in ourselves.” Skeeter told The Daily Prophet. “Wizarding society is in many ways more old-fashioned than the muggle world, still holding outdated values. There is a huge risk that LGBT+ wizards will end up hiding their identity in fear of how family and friends will react.” Skeeter stated that they wished Ministry of Magic officials would take part of the celebrations too, saying that “It is important that the Ministry leads the way for tolerance and acceptance.”

However, wizarding participation in pride events has led to the need for further safety regulations to be put in place regarding the Statute of Secrecy. With emotions high and direct contact with muggles, behaviour needs to be more controlled. For example, Pride Scotia, 2013 saw fireworks a little too extreme to muggle standards, muggle fireworks are not usually able to form gigantic rainbow coloured unicorns in the sky. Luckily the fireworks were set off during daylight hours, making them hard to see, resulting in the obliviation of only five muggles; but many similar incidents have occurred since.

“Hosting a parade in Diagon Alley would definitely limit the risks of such accidents.” Head of the recently-formed Pride Committee in the Ministry of Magic, Grace Knight-Prewett, stated in a press conference a few days ago. “Of course there are other benefits to hosting a pride event in Wizarding London, but knowing that we would eliminate such risks makes it worth the many difficulties.”

The technical difficulties are many, and are, at the moment, the biggest concern to the newly formed committee. The Daily Prophet spoke to Knight-Prewett in her office in the Department of Magical Events and Festivities.

“Diagon Alley has been chosen due to its central location, and because of its symbolic importance.” she told us. “However, we are facing many difficulties and restrictions, the alley is very narrow, and therefore would struggle in accommodating a full-scale parade. This could, of course, be solved with widening charms, but the street is full of old magic and we would have to take precautions before embarking on such a delicate operation.”

The committee has combed Diagon Alley for traces of old magic that may react negatively to widening charms, they have also thoroughly looked into all possible safety risks, both those from muggle exposure and from the sheer volume of wizards in attendance.

“Such large events act like magnets for Death Eaters, and for others like them,” Knight-Prewett explained. “We want to avoid a situation like the one during the Quidditch World Cup, where Death Eaters spread chaos and panic.” The incident was over a decade ago, and since Lord Voldemort’s death attacks from his supporters have been few and far between. However, as the debate in the muggle world hardens, the same happens in the wizarding world.

“We've come far in the last few years,” Georgie Skeeter said, “and not everybody is happy about that progress. Hate groups are growing and becoming more aggressive. This doesn’t mean that we should restrain from having such events - in fact, it only makes them more important - but the committee need to be vigilant with regards to security and the safety of attendees.”

The committee has stated that they wish to hold the first parade in the summer of 2019.

“It will take a lot of hard work,” secretary Zoe Atkins said, “but we are working around the clock to achieve our goal and to ensure the success and safety of the parade.” As it is the first parade of its kind in the wizarding world the planning committee are creating the regulations and restrictions as they go.

“No problem is too big, all the details will be ironed out in time for the parade.” Knight-Prewett has promised in the latest press release. The reaction amongst the general public has been mostly positive, debaters have praised the Ministry’s decision, and LGBT+ groups have already begun to help and prepare.

“I’m currently working with the committee,” Skeeter told us. “we who have been to muggle parades are happy to lend our experience.”

Voices have been risen against the parade; traditionalists have deemed it “against our traditional values” in letters of protest written to the Ministry. “We have heard their worries, but have ultimately decided that the values we are trying to spread within the wizarding world are more important.” Knight-Prewett responded.

Skeeter put it in another way. “Frankly, we don’t give a shit.” Before elaborating on this statement, “This is what pride is about, showing that we can be proud even if we don’t live according to their out-dated ‘traditional values’. So why should we care what they think?” They told us they look forward to the event next summer, “It’s a big step forward, and an important step. When it is taken we’ll still have a lot of work to, but we’ll be well on our way.”

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