July 9th 2024.
Tilly Fitzgerald, a former bookseller at Waterstones, has built a large following on Instagram under the handle @TillyLovesBooks. She shares book reviews with her 90,000 followers and has become a well-known figure in the literary community. However, Waterstones faced criticism when they fired Tilly after she got into a social media dispute with author Christina Dalcher over her views on transgender people.
In a tearful video, Tilly, who describes herself as an exemplary employee, expressed her disappointment in being let go by a company with "no morals." She explained that the dispute with Dalcher led to her termination, as she had threatened to throw away the author's books after learning of her views on transgender rights. Tilly believed that Dalcher was trying to get others in the publishing industry fired for standing up for trans rights, and she did not want to support her work.
The incident occurred after the launch of SEEN Publishing, a network for industry professionals concerned about the impact of "gender ideology" on society. This term is used by critics to describe beliefs such as the separation of sex and gender, the idea that sex is not binary, and the acceptance of trans men and women. Tilly's comment on Twitter caught the attention of Dalcher, who shared a screenshot and questioned whether Waterstones was okay with her comments.
However, Dalcher did not realize that Tilly was referring to throwing away her own copies of the author's books, not books being sold at Waterstones. The misunderstanding caused speculation on social media that Tilly intended to destroy Waterstones property, which she denied. She clarified that her comments were not an attempt to get anyone cancelled or taken off shop shelves, but rather her personal choice not to support the author's work.
Interestingly, Tilly had previously spoken positively about Dalcher and her writing, even promoting her book Femlandia on her social media accounts. Waterstones confirmed that Tilly's dismissal was due to violating their social media policy, not because of her views on transgender rights. Tilly acknowledged her mistake and apologized for any trouble caused, but she believes that the punishment was disproportionate and a warning would have been more appropriate.
Dalcher has downplayed her role in the saga and stated that the incident was pointless. She also mentioned that her writing career was already over, and she was happily retired. The controversy has led to some members of the LGBT+ community boycotting Waterstones and expressing disappointment in the company's handling of the situation. Some have even called on Waterstones to support Tilly and the LGBTQ+ community.
To make matters worse, one Waterstones account on social media shared a post by author Irvine Welsh, which questioned the definition of a woman. This has led to further criticism and calls for the company to take action against transphobia. When asked to comment on the situation, a Waterstones spokesperson stated that they are an inclusive employer and follow due process in HR matters.
The incident has caused a stir in the literary community, with many expressing their support for Tilly and their disappointment in Waterstones. Tilly's dismissal raises questions about the company's policies and their stance on LGBTQ+ rights. It remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved, but for now, Tilly's loyal followers and the LGBTQ+ community continue to stand behind her.
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