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The popular bookseller has been criticised for transphobic behaviour, after book-tok came out in support of a former employee.
Waterstones has been a mainstay of the British highstreet for decades, but the beloved bookseller has sparked significant online backlash over its stance on LGBTQIA+ issues.
Over the past few years, Waterstones has been heavily criticised for controversial actions regarding queer staff, customers, and the entire community in general, with the recent treatment of a now ex-employee resulting in calls for the business to be boycotted.
In a now hidden X post, Tilly Fitzgerald accused Waterstones of firing her for raising concerns about the sale of Christina Dalcher’s books because of the author’s views on transgender people.
Fitzgerald also shared a tearful video to her TikTok page (@Tillylovesbooks), where she called out the company for dismissing her despite describing herself as ‘an exemplary employee’.
Waterstones fired Tilly after she stated in an online post that she would enjoy ‘tearing up’ and binning books by Dalcher, a gender-critical author.
The bookseller has since responded, claiming their decision to fire Fitzgerald was based solely on ‘the grounds of contravening Watersones policies and has nothing to do with transgender rights.’
Tilly told the Independent: ‘I acknowledge that my comments were a violation of the social media policy, and I did apologise for any trouble caused, however, I think the punishment was disproportionate and a warning would have been more appropriate.’
Given Waterstones’ track record when it comes to transgender issues, it would appear that a large number of netizens agree with Fitzgerald.
Long before Tilly’s dismissal, an entire Reddit thread was dedicated to the booksellers’ tendency for selling transphobic material.
#BoycottWaterstones pic.twitter.com/NkAtm7Ev3d
— Goth Chrissie – The ANTI-GLINNER! (@GothChrissie) July 9, 2024
And just last month, the company was slammed for promoting a book comprised of ‘gender-critical’ essays, including one by author JK Rowling, just a day after celebrating Pride month.
Dalcher had found herself in similarly hot water after showing support for a group of women in publishing, known as the Seen network, who had raised concerns about the spread of gender ideology.
The author reposted an article supporting the Seen network after they faced public backlash. It was this decision that triggered Fitzgerald to condemn Dalcher’s work on social media.
Within several hours, after her comments were reported to Waterstones, Tilly posted her video revealing she was ‘heartbroken’ to have been fired by the bookshop chain.
Fitzgerald’s TikTok page has over 90,000 followers, who have tuned in to hear Tilly share her love of books and reading. Those viewers have come out in support of her since the Waterstones controversy emerged, highlighting the power of online communities to mobilise and protest against major corporations.
