Bookstore refuses to carry Harry Potter series because of J.K. Rowling

With the upcoming Harry Potter television series set to begin filming soon, the massive fantasy franchise has been heavily back in the news of late. The series has grown to have a massive following and one of the most passionate and loyal fan bases of any piece of literature written in the last several decades.

That said, it has not come without its share of controversies. Specifically, author J.K. Rowling has been very outspoken about her political standpoints, especially when it comes to her views on transgender individuals and their rights. She has often echoed many right-wing talking points on the matter, which has caused many of her fans to disavow her and some to stop supporting the franchise altogether.

This stands out as we close in on the television show premiere, and it seems that other entities are taking notice. In fact, one bookstore has recently announced that it will no longer sell the book series at all in their bookstore.

Booksmith takes a stand with huge statement

Booksmith, a bookstore located in San Francisco, has made an immediate change in their stock. Given the long and storied history of LGBTQ+ support in the city, it is no surprise that J.K. Rowling's anti-trans political beliefs would stand out there. The store has decided to take a stand and has removed all Harry Potter series books from their shelves.

In an Instagram post shared by the store, they announced their decision and made reference to a blog post that explained their reasoning behind the change. The decision has not been met without criticism, however, as the comments on the post reflect. Still, they feel strongly about sticking to their moral beliefs and believe that they have made the right decision.

The explanation reads:

"In May of 2025, author JK Rowling publicly committed to using her private wealth from the Harry Potter series to develop the 'JK Rowling Women's Fund,' an organization dedicated to removing transgender rights 'in the workplace, in public life, and in protected female spaces.' "

"With this announcement, we've decided to stop carrying her books. We don't know exactly what her 'women's fund' will entail, but we know that we aren't going to be a part of it. "

The foundation that Booksmith referenced bills itself as "helping pay for legal representation for people who are being forced to comply with unreasonable inclusion policies regarding single sex spaces and services, or who have lost their livelihoods or are facing tribunals because of their expressed beliefs.”

J.K. Rowling is certainly allowed to hold her own opinions, and ultimately, it has not dramatically hurt the franchise, given its continued mass appeal, including new theme parks and the aforementioned television show. That said, vendors are also allowed to make decisions based on their beliefs, as Booksmith did. It will be interesting to see if other places publicly follow suit.

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