Rabble Books and Games, a bookstore in Maryland, Perth, has officially banned the Harry Potter book series after Author J.
K. Rowling comes under fire for transphobic remarks. The owner of the Australian bookstore, Nat Latter, said the store was a safe space for everyone.
The announcement came on the store’s Facebook page. Latter stated, “the store will not put books by transphobes on the shelves.” The post also asked customers for alternatives to Harry Potter.
“Whilst stocking a book isn’t an endorsement (good grief, that would be a minefield), and we will always take orders for books that aren’t in stock, there are more worthy books to put on the shelf, books that don’t harm communities and won’t make us sad to unpack them.”
Rowling has made headlines repeatedly regarding this topic. Back in June, she was criticized for making fun of an online article, which was titled ‘Creating a More Equal Post-COVID-19 World for People Who Menstruate.’
Rowling tweeted, “I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
Many criticized her for being exclusionary to cisgender and trans people who menstruate. Even Harry Potter and Fantastic Beast stars, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and Eddie Redmayne, took part in the backlash.
Now, the event that instigated the banning of Harry Potter books at this store occurred last Sunday. The Telegraph gave Rowling her first review for her latest book, Troubled Blood.
In the review, the newspaper revealed that the villain is a ‘transvestite serial killer’. The character apparently killed his victims while wearing women’s clothing.
This re-sparked the backlash against Rowling. Many social media users labeled Rowling as ‘transphobic’, tweeting “#RIPJKRowling.” Some did defend her, claiming that ‘people are jumping to conclusions’ without reading the book.
However, people mostly criticized her for not being sensitive, especially given her history with transphobic remarks.
In any case, Nat Latter states she ‘stands by her decision’, claiming:
“We are always trying to make Rabble a safer space for our community, and part of that is trying not to put books by transphobes on the shelves, when we know about them.”