Hogwarts Legacy has surpassed its Harry Potter gaming predecessors in so many ways, but also in some you might not expect. While it’s easy to point out the incredible graphical improvements, impressive combat mechanics, and overall technical prowess found in Avalanche Software’s new RPG that dwarf previous Wizarding World titles, one of the most important elements of Hogwarts Legacy is its LGBTQ+ and multicultural representation. The game’s unique cast of characters, specifically created for Hogwarts Legacy, are a mosaic of varying backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, gender identities, nationalities, and sexual orientations, that make the newest entry in the Potterverse the most inclusive and representative of all media in the multi-billion dollar Harry Potter juggernaut to date.
Specifically on the subject of LGBTQ+ representation, Hogwarts Legacy made franchise history by introducing the first transgender character in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Let’s analyze the new groundbreaking character introduced in Hogwarts Legacy, as well as the game’s character creation options.
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The First Transgender Character in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Sirona Ryan is the first transgender character in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. In Hogwarts Legacy, she is the owner and operator of The Three Broomsticks, one of Hogsmeade’s most notable locations, and is reportedly voiced by the actress Rebecca Root.
Among the NPCs of Hogwarts Legacy, Sirona Ryan has one of the most memorable introductions, as she defends the player character from the dark wizard, Victor Rookwood in a tense confrontation at the Three Broomsticks. As demonstrated in her introductory scene and some of the findable lore in Hogwarts Legacy, Sirona is a connected, respected community leader in Hogsmeade, as well as the many surrounding locations. Aside from her involvement in the main story quests, Sirona also has some interesting backstory that can be found in the “A Friend in Deed” side quest.
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Transgender Character Customization Options in Hogwarts Legacy
Along with the introduction of the Wizarding World’s first prominent transgender character, the new RPG is groundbreaking among Potterverse games in its player customization. Hogwarts Legacy provides the ability to create transgender, non-binary, and gender neutral protagonists, as the game’s character builder eschews traditional gender options. Instead, the RPG gives players the choice of whether their created protagonist will be in the Witch or Wizard dormitory, along with extensive alteration of the character’s voice, and deep customization options that are not limited to specific genders. Although there is certainly room for improvement and even deeper customization, it seems that Avalanche Software has taken a step in the right direction through the developers’ concerted efforts to foster a more inclusive gaming environment for Hogwarts Legacy players, even when those same sentiments are not shared by the creator of the Harry Potter IP.
