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UPDATED: The Harry Potter Alliance to Hold Pride Edition of Small Things Con

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June is just around the corner, but many of this year’s Pride events remain canceled due to COVID-19. In the spirit of adapting to the present situation without letting it get in the way of celebrations and solidarity, the Harry Potter Alliance (HPA) is launching Small Things Con: PRIDE, a week of magical pride events in the form of an online convention running June 1–7.

The HPA’s Small Things Con series of online get-togethers was first launched this March “to bring wizard activists together while physically separated.” Since June is Pride Month, what better way to kick off this summer than a specially themed installment of the series? Managing Director Katie Bowers also added that this choice is close to the HPA’s heart:

Over 50% of the HPA’s Chapter Organizers identify as LGBTQIA+, and that’s why it is so important to us to make sure there is a place for magical, queer fans and organizers to gather online. We’ve seen again and again how this community can change the world for the better when we have a chance to come together, create, dream, and be unironically enthusiastic about things we love. Small Things Con: PRIDE is a chance for us to be together and celebrate kindness and magic in a world deeply in need of both.

Each day of the event offers a different magical activity. The schedule so far goes as follows:

  • Monday, June 1: Crafting Hour
  • Tuesday, June 2: LGBTQIA+ Reading Sprint
  • Wednesday, June 3: Magical Historical Society Chocolate Frog Submissions
  • Thursday, June 4: Wizard Activist School: Advocacy & Allyship
  • Friday, June 5: Nailed It: Rainbow Edition
  • Sunday, June 7: Virtual Pride Parade

Make sure to check out the full schedule for more information and to find out how to join in on the fun.

Are you planning on attending any of the HPA’s Small Things Con: PRIDE sessions?

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UPDATE (June 1):

The HPA has decided to postpone the Pride edition of Small Things Con. MuggleNet received the following statement from the organization.

After much consideration & in solidarity with Black organizers, we are postponing Small Things Con Pride. Updated dates to come, but we want to take a moment to consider how we can best celebrate Pride while continuing to stand against white supremacy as an LGBTQIA+ community.

 

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Press Release

The Harry Potter Alliance says “Accio Pride” despite COVID-19

Join the Harry Potter Alliance as they host a week of magical events to celebrate Pride 2020

In response to pride being cancelled across the country due to COVID-19, the Harry Potter Alliance (HPA) is launching a week of magical pride events through their Small Things Con: PRIDE series, June 1st through 7th.

Throughout the week, events will center around inclusivity, community and activism. The schedule of events includes discussions on advocacy and allyship, an LGBTQIA+ open mic night, the launch of chocolate frog cards featuring historical queer figures and a virtual pride parade to wrap up the week.

This magical week will be similar to the organization’s Small Things Con series, which was launched in March in response to COVID-19 in order to bring wizard activists together while physically separated. The HPA’s Small Things Con: PRIDE events offer an opportunity for those who may feel disconnected at the moment to have a chance to find their community.

“Over 50% of the HPA’s Chapter Organizers identify as LGBTQIA+, and that’s why it is so important to us to make sure there is a place for magical, queer fans and organizers to gather online,” says the HPA’s Managing Director, Katie Bowers. “We’ve seen again and again how this community can change the world for the better when we have a chance to come together, create, dream, and be unironically enthusiastic about things we love. Small Things Con: PRIDE is a chance for us to be together and celebrate kindness and magic in a world deeply in need of both.”

A full schedule of events can be found here.