Tim Hortons faces LGBT activist backlash over Harry Potter promotion

Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons announced a Harry Potter‑themed promotion to mark the 25th anniversary of the first film, launching on August 12 across Canada. The campaign includes house‑inspired donuts, specialty drinks, a Golden Snitch Timbit® holder and limited‑edition merchandise.

The announcement triggered a wave of criticism from LGBT advocacy group Egale Canada, which issued a press release condemning the partnership with J.K. Rowling’s franchise. Egale argued that Rowling’s anti‑trans stance makes the promotion “anti‑2SLGBTQI hate” and called on Tim Hortons to reflect Canada’s inclusive values. Social‑media users echoed the criticism, with many calling for a boycott and deleting the Tim Hortons app.

Tim Hortons defended the promotion as a celebration of a beloved series, but the controversy highlights how corporate marketing can become a flashpoint in cultural and rights‑based debates in Canada.