A Minnesota yarn shop has apologized for selling “Harry Potter”-themed kits, calling the decision a mistake, and says it has donated all proceeds from those sales to a transgender support organization.
Needle & Skein posted the apology to Facebook on Saturday. “We recently sold Harry Potter-themed kits, and we owe you a sincere apology,” the shop wrote.
“I’m a mom, and I read these books aloud to my child. Those evenings are some of my sweetest memories, and I think that warmth kept me from stopping to consider what carrying this merchandise would mean for our trans friends, neighbors, and customers. I made a mistake, and I’m so sorry,” the statement continued.
“Harry Potter” author JK Rowling has drawn criticism for opposing policies that allow transgender women into certain female-only spaces. In an essay last month, she reaffirmed her position, describing transgender activism as “elitist to its core.”
Needle & Skein said it pulled the “Harry Potter” items from its shelves and donated all the proceeds to Point of Pride, a group that provides support services to transgender people. The shop said it gave three times the profits earned from the merchandise and shared a link encouraging followers to donate as well.
“We never meant to hurt anyone. But we can see that we did, and we are truly sorry to everyone who felt less welcome in a space that should always feel like home to you. You deserve better from us,” the shop said.
Owner Gilah Mashaal told Fox News Digital the reaction to the apology has mostly been supportive, though the shop has also faced doxxing and negative reviews.
“Overall, the response has been positive, with people feeling that we were open, honest and appreciative,” Mashaal said.
Fox News Digital reached out to Rowling for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Rowling has faced boycott efforts from LGBTQ activists over her books and merchandise elsewhere as well. Last year, a San Francisco bookstore said it would stop selling her books over her views on gender.
Christian Toto, host of the “Hollywood in Toto” podcast, questioned whether the yarn shop’s owners fully understood the controversy surrounding Rowling’s views.
“The media blurs many facts in our culture, like how ‘immigration’ isn’t separated into two distinct camps — legal and illegal. Something similar likely is happening here. And for a yarn hobbyist to take such a stand is, well, the height of silliness on too many levels to count. Sadly, she’s far from alone,” Toto said.
