Latest news with #Rowling
NBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
San Francisco bookstore stops selling J.K. Rowling titles due to 'Harry Potter' author's anti-trans views
A bookstore in San Francisco announced earlier this month that it will no longer sell titles by J.K. Rowling, including her popular 'Harry Potter' series, due to the author's anti-transgender views and advocacy. Booksmith, which opened in 1976 and is in the city's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, said the final straw came last month, when Rowling announced on social media that she would use her personal wealth to fund the J.K. Rowling Women's Fund, which describes itself as a legal fund to support 'individuals and organisations fighting to retain women's sex-based rights in the workplace, in public life, and in protected female spaces.' Though the fund doesn't mention trans people specifically, Rowling has been vocally opposed to trans women's inclusion in women's spaces, and proponents of efforts to restrict trans rights often describe such efforts as advocating for women's 'sex-based' rights. 'With this announcement, we've decided to stop carrying her books,' Booksmith said in a statement on Instagram. 'We don't know exactly what her new 'women's fund' will entail, but we know that we aren't going to be a part of it. As a group of queer booklovers, we also had our adolescences shaped by wizards and elves. Look at us, it's obvious. 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.' Rowling did not immediately return a request for comment. On Monday, Booksmith provided a list on its website of fantasy books similar to the 'Harry Potter' series for readers who are interested in alternatives, sparking some backlash and a debate about whether bookstores should make decisions about which books their customers can access. 'So you're going to curate your selections to only sell books by authors that you agree with politically,' one commenter wrote on social media. 'Good to know. I'll be shopping elsewhere.' Booksmith responded: 'There are plenty of books we carry that we don't 'agree' with, but in this case, it's not politics at all. When the author of a book states that all sales of those books will contribute to an anti-trans fund, the only way we can choose not to participate is by not selling the books any longer. It's no different than when we encourage you to buy your books in indies rather than purchase them on Amazon. It stands in direct opposition to everything we believe in and that we have tried to uphold in our nearly 50 years of selling books. If you want to read the HP books, we implore you to buy them used locally, where the money stays in the community you love.' Other commenters thanked the store and said they would be returning to shop soon. Rowling first faced backlash for her views on trans people in 2019, when she tweeted in support of a British researcher who lost her job over social media posts that said allowing trans women into female spaces poses a safety threat to cisgender girls and women. In 2020, after facing repeated criticism that her views were transphobic, Rowling doubled down in a 4,000-word blog post in which she said she fears that social media is fueling a 'contagion' that has led to more young people coming out as trans and that, as a survivor of domestic abuse and assault, she is concerned about allowing trans women into female spaces. In that post, she said she wanted 'trans women to be safe,' but, 'at the same time, I do not want to make natal girls and women less safe.' Trans-inclusive policies, particularly for restrooms, do not increase safety risks, according to a study published in 2018 and another earlier this year. Her views have become more extreme over the years, with her recently referring to trans women as men on social media. In August, she also perpetuated misinformation that Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Khelif is a man, leading Khelif to file a cyberbullying complaint against her later that month. Rowling has not publicly responded to the complaint except to share an article on social media that criticized Khelif for a beauty PR campaign and called for her to release DNA results. Khelif's lawsuit against Rowling is ongoing.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
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.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Harry Potter turns 28: 10 facts you might not know about the magical series
(Written by Somya Panwar) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first installment of British writer JK Rowling's beloved eponymous series, was first published in Britain on June 26, 1997, and appeared in the United States the following year as the Sorcerer's Stone. Over 500 million copies of the books have been sold globally, making Harry Potter one of the best-selling book series in history. The series has been translated into over 80 languages and adapted for a series of films, making the boy wizard one of the most iconic characters in pop culture. You may have read the series, but here are 10 facts that might surprise you: 📌 J K Rowling gave Harry Potter the same birth date as hers—July 31. 📌 The Chamber of Secrets, originally titled Half-Blood Prince, was rewritten midway through the draft when JK Rowling decided to move that storyline to the later-published book Half-Blood Prince. 📌 Many characters were named based on their personality traits or symbolic meanings. 'Dumbledore' comes from an old English word for 'bumblebee,' reflecting his love for music. 'Severus Snape' implies severity and bitterness. 📌 There would not be a Harry Potter series if JK Rowling's mother had not passed away. Rowling began writing the series six months before her mother's death, and she credits the emotional depth and recurring theme of death in the books to that loss. 📌 Geraldine Somerville was not the first choice to play Lily Potter in the Mirror of Erised scene. JK Rowling revealed on her website that she was initially offered the role, but turned it down. The part then went to Somerville. 📌 Out of sheer frustration, Rowling almost killed off Ron in the books during a difficult period in her life, when she was not in a happy place. 📌 The scar on Potter's head appears differently in the books and the films. On the book covers, it is in the center of his forehead, while in the films, it is slightly off-center. 📌 Quidditch was inspired by Rowling's ex-boyfriend and was created after they had a major argument. Though she said there was no direct connection, she admitted: 'In my deepest, darkest soul, I would quite like to see him hit by a bludger.' 📌 Emma Watson almost wore fake buck teeth in the films to match Hermione's description in the books, but they affected her speech so much that the idea was scrapped. 📌 The first five years of writing Harry Potter were spent establishing rules about what the characters could and could not do, according to Rowling. (The writer is an intern with The Indian Express.)
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Pedro Pascal slams J.K. Rowling over anti-trans comments and defends sister in Vanity Fair interview
Pedro Pascal has strongly criticized author J.K. Rowling in a new Vanity Fair cover story, responding to her celebration of a recent U.K. Supreme Court ruling on transgender rights. The court declared that, under the Equality Act, legal definitions of 'woman' and 'man' are determined by biological sex. Rowling marked the decision with a photo of herself drinking and the caption, 'I love it when a plan comes together.' Pascal called her reaction 'heinous loser behavior,' citing her comments as harmful to the trans community. The actor, whose sister Lux came out as transgender in 2021, said his comments came from a place of deep personal commitment. 'Bullies make me fucking sick,' he told Vanity Fair, while admitting he briefly questioned whether his words would help or harm the cause. 'It's a situation that deserves the utmost elegance so that something can actually happen.' His older sister, Javiera Pascal, also spoke in support of his statement, saying, 'He said that as the older brother to someone saying that our little sister doesn't exist.' Following the viral moment, some of Rowling's defenders circulated a Comic-Con clip of Pascal holding co-star Vanessa Kirby's hand, trying to suggest inappropriate behavior. Kirby dismissed the criticism, explaining the gesture came from a shared moment of nervousness before addressing a large crowd. 'I found it a lovely gesture and was very glad to squeeze his hand back,' she said. He is among several celebrities who signed an open letter opposing the U.K. court's decision. Other signatories include The Last of Us co-star Bella Ramsey, Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan, and Paapa Essiedu, who will portray Severus Snape in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter reboot. Rowling, responding on X, stated she would not dismiss actors over views that differ from her own. The full profile appears in Vanity Fair's June 2025 issue.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Boy George mocks JK Rowling as 'a muggle' in latest fiery swipe after trans row
Boy George has issued a fiery response to JK Rowling after he called her a "rich bored bully" as their social media row over trans people continues to rage on Boy George has labelled JK Rowling a "Muggle" amid a heated social media exchange about transgender people. The Culture Club frontman has found himself embroiled in a spat with the Harry Potter writer on X, in light of her controversial views regarding the trans community. The 64-year-old musician previously denounced Rowling as a "rich bored bully", eliciting a pointed response from the author: "There are many differences between us, George, but some are particularly relevant to this debate. "1. You're a man and I'm a woman. 2. You've been wealthy and famous since your early 20s. I didn't become well known until I was well over 30." She went on to talk about her stance on women's rights and continued to campaign for her desire against trans-spaces. The altercation took a new turn when Boy George offered his candid thoughts during an appearance on Lorraine Kelly's ITV show, reports the Express. Lorraine commended him, saying: "What I love about you over the years is you've always stood up for people who sometimes don't have a voice for themselves. As we know, people in the trans-community, it's been very tough for them. And you've actually said, no, this isn't fair. You've been good like that, and you've always been good like that." Boy George responded by recounting his own experiences: "When I was a kid, when I was seven, it was obvious to everyone that I was gay. I didn't know what it was. And parents often know but they don't say anything, they think if they don't say anything it will go away. Usually with transkids, it's the kid that informs the adult through different behaviour." Expanding on the topic, he said: "This idea that a parent pushes their kid to be trans is so ridiculous, I've got friends with kids who are trans and it's a nightmare. They struggle about 'Should I do the right thing or wait till the kid is 18 or 21?' all of that stuff is real life stuff, it's not two celebrities bickering on the internet." After Lorraine referenced the numerous disputes Rowling has had online, Boy George quipped: "I think it's hilarious that you're having a row with someone I've never met and probably never will meet." He went on: "In the movies she creates this beautiful, magical world and in real life she's a Muggle. It's very disappointing to find out that actually in a way it's not true." During the conversation, Lorraine inquired: "Do you think we'll ever get to a place where I would love to be where it really, really doesn't matter and people just got on with their lives?" Boy George responded: "I think for most people, it doesn't matter, it matters only whether you're a nice person or a horrible person, nobody chooses to be trans or gay, no one chooses to have blue eyes, it just happens!" Reflecting on his feelings towards Rowling's artistic creations, he shared: "It's sad that somebody who is so creative... I love the movies, the movies are brilliant!" Addressing Rowling directly through the camera, he cheekily remarked: "I bet she's watching now, morning! Get over it!" Lorraine continued: "Having friends who are trans and going through a really tough time, it's just like, let's be fair about stuff, let's talk and we can all have our points of view but at the end of the day, we're all just people wandering through and trying to get on with our lives." Rowling has been at the receiving end of widespread condemnation for her opinions, prompting some to propose boycotting the upcoming Harry Potter TV series as an act of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. Several original cast members, including Daniel Radcliffe, David Tennant, and Emma Watson have expressed their disagreement with Rowling's standpoint. Her views have amplified following the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman. Rowling has been involved in a series of debates on Twitter with various public figures regarding her stance, starting with her comments in 2020 on questioning the term "people who menstruate" used in an article instead of "women". She then went on: "If sex isn't real, there's no same-sex attraction. If sex isn't real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn't hate to speak the truth. "The idea that women like me, who've been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they're vulnerable in the same way as women-i.e., to male violence-'hate' trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences-is a nonsense." "I respect every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I'd march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it's hateful to say so." However, several cast members of the Harry Potter series have come forward to express their disagreement with Rowling's stance, even as fans criticise her. Radcliffe reacted by issuing a statement that read: "I feel compelled to say something at this moment. Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I." Further to that, he noted: "It's clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm."
