San Francisco Bookstore Pulls Harry Potter Series in Protest of J.K. Rowling’s Anti-Trans Views
A bookstore in San Francisco has made headlines after choosing to stop selling Harry Potter books. The decision comes from The Booksmith, an independent shop in the Haight-Ashbury area. The owners say they can no longer support J.K. Rowling because of her actions and statements about transgender rights.
The store shared its thoughts on its website. They said Rowling is using her wealth from the Harry Potter series to back a group that they believe works against trans rights.
That group is called the JK Rowling Women’s Fund. According to The Booksmith, this group is focused on limiting the rights of transgender people in workplaces, public areas, and spaces meant for women.
The Booksmith owners, who describe themselves as queer booksellers, explained that they grew up with fantasy books like Harry Potter.
But even with that personal connection, they believe it’s important to stand up for what they think is right. They’re not telling people to stop reading the books entirely, but they are encouraging people to buy them secondhand instead. As they put it: “If you or someone you love wants to dive into the world of Harry Potter, we suggest doing so by buying used copies of these books.”
J.K. Rowling’s views on gender and transgender rights have sparked debate for years. She’s often faced backlash online, and many LGBTQ+ groups and celebrities have spoken out against her. Most recently, actor Pedro Pascal criticized her reaction to a court ruling in the UK. Rowling had expressed support for the ruling, which many felt hurt trans rights. Pascal replied online, calling her behavior “awful disgusting SHT”* and “heinous LOSER behavior.”
Because of the ongoing controversy, some fans and public figures have distanced themselves from Rowling’s work. Many people still enjoy the books, but some are now choosing ways to read them that don’t put more money in the author’s pocket.
The Booksmith’s move is one of the clearest examples of a business stepping away from Rowling over her views. It also shows that even small, local stores are willing to take action based on their beliefs, even if it means dropping one of the best-selling authors in the world.
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