Rabble Books and Games in Perth (Australia) has discontinued the sale of any works by author JK Rowling due to continuing accusations of Rowling’s transphobia. Owner Nat Latter said in a Facebook post the store ‘would not put books by transphobes on the shelves’ in order to ‘create a safer space for our community’. Nat stated although Rowling’s books won’t be on display they will be available to order in, and the profits made from these will be donated to TransFolk of Western Australia.
JK Rowling has been accused of transphobia multiple times in the last few years. Her new novel Troubled Blood – published under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith – has been criticised for featuring a serial killer who murders his victims while wearing female clothing. Since the release of the book on September 15, the hashtag #RIPJKRowling has trended on Twitter. One user said they ‘cannot believe’ Rowling has written a novel that villainises trans people, as ‘the LGBTQ+ community are compassionate and loving’.
Rabble Books and Games have suggested authors such as Jessica Townsend, Tamara Moss and Akwaeke Emezi as alternative fantasy writers to explore instead of Rowling.
