Minnesota Yarn Shop Apologizes for Selling Harry Potter Kits, Donates Three Times the Profits to Trans Support Group
Needle & Skein, a yarn shop in Minnesota, apologized last week for selling Harry Potter-themed kits and called the decision a mistake.
The shop wrote on Facebook on Saturday that it had recently sold Harry Potter-themed kits and owed a sincere apology.
In the statement, the shop said that as a mother she had read the books aloud to her child, that those evenings were among her sweetest memories, and that the warmth had kept her from stopping to consider what carrying the merchandise would mean for trans friends, neighbors and customers. The statement said she had made a mistake and was sorry.
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has faced criticism in recent years over her opposition to policies allowing transgender women into certain female-only spaces. In an essay last month, Rowling doubled down on her stance and called transgender activism elitist to its core, in her words.
The store announced that it had removed the Harry Potter items from the shelves and donated all the proceeds to Point of Pride, an organization that provides support to transgender people.
The shop also said it had never meant to hurt anyone, but could see that it had, and that it was truly sorry to everyone who felt less welcome in a space that should always feel like home. Customers deserved better from them, it said.
Needle & Skein also shared an image showing its donation to Point of Pride, saying it had donated three times the profits from its Harry Potter merchandise. The business also shared a link for followers to donate.
Owner Gilah Mashaal told Fox News Digital that the response to the apology had been largely positive, despite some doxxing and negative reviews. She said the overall response had been positive, with people feeling the shop had been open, honest and appreciative.
Fox News Digital reached out to Rowling for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Rowling has also faced boycott efforts from LGBTQ activists targeting her books and merchandise. Last year, a San Francisco bookstore announced it would no longer sell Rowling's books due to her views on gender.
