Minnesota yarn shop apologizes for selling ‘Harry Potter’ kits, donates proceeds to trans care group

Minnesota yarn shop Needle & Skein apologised for selling Harry Potter-themed kits, saying it had failed to consider how the merchandise might affect transgender customers and others. The shop removed the products and donated money to Point of Pride, which supports transgender people.

Owner Gilah Mashaal said the shop gave three times the kits’ profits and described the response to its apology as largely positive, though the business also received doxxing and negative reviews. The article links the controversy to author J.K. Rowling’s criticism of policies concerning transgender women in some female-only spaces, and notes that Rowling has faced boycott efforts over her views.