No magic here: San Francisco bookstore shelves go Potter-free over J.K. Rowling’s views
BBC announces British author J K Rowling’s first adult novel, The Casual Vacancy, will be adapted for the small screen.
A well-known bookstore in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood has pulled all Harry Potter titles from its shelves in response to J.K. Rowling’s continued stance against transgender rights.
The Booksmith recently announced the decision on its website, referencing Rowling’s alleged use of her Harry Potter earnings to support the ‘JK Rowling Women’s Fund’ - an initiative the store claims is aimed at restricting trans rights in workplaces, public life, and spaces designated for women.
“This isn’t just about a difference in opinion,” the store’s statement explained. “It’s about refusing to give shelf space to someone actively working against marginalised communities.”
The Booksmith clarified that while they once stocked Rowling’s books due to customer demand, they now believe carrying them contradicts their values. The decision is a public stand in solidarity with the trans community, a move applauded by some and criticised by others online.
Rowling’s views have long sparked controversy, particularly among fans of the Harry Potter series. While she has denied being transphobic, her public statements and recent financial contributions to gender-critical organisations have led many readers, activists, and institutions to distance themselves from her work.
This isn’t the first time booksellers or libraries have made headlines over Rowling’s views, but The Booksmith’s choice stands out as part of a broader cultural reckoning with how public figures’ actions impact the communities that once embraced them.
The store concluded its message by affirming support for the trans community.