ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A St. Louis book store is taking a stand against world-famous author J.K. Rowling after she made comments about transgender people on social media. Left Bank Books in Central West End will no longer display her books – most-notably the Harry Potter series.
The decision was announced on Sunday and the store said, "Rowling's public comments about transgender people particularly transgender women, is abbhorent (sic), hurtful and willfully ignorant. Not only that, but she has a worldwide platform for that bigotry which makes her even more dangerous."
The recent controversial comments came earlier this month when the author commented on a story titled, "Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate."
She said, "‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"
Some accused her of being transphobic in the tweet, but Rowling then stood by her comments and posted a series of tweets. She said, "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."
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.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020Left Bank Books says they've sold Rowling's books for 23 years and mentions that their store is "owned and operated by queer and trans people."
They say they'll use the newly opened shelf space "to lift up voices of lesser known authors, while of course ordering in copies of her books as customers order them from us."
The book store is currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.