A Glasgow bookshop, Category Is Books, says it has been overwhelmed by support from the local community after launching a fundraiser to improve security following what it believes was a transphobic act of vandalism.
For more than eight years, the independent bookshop, located just south of the city centre near Queen’s Park, has served as a hub for the local LGBTQIA+ community.
Recently, one of the shop’s windows was smashed. Because the damaged window featured the word “Trans” in large letters, the business believes the incident may have been motivated by transphobia.
On its GoFundMe page, the bookshop said it has experienced a rise in aggressive behaviour directed towards the business and is raising funds to improve security at the premises.
In a statement, the team said:
“One of our windows was recently smashed. The word ‘TRANS’ had been directly targeted, making the perpetrator’s transphobic intentions clear as day.
“We have also become increasingly aware of an escalation in violations and intimidation from fascists in our neighbourhood.
“After months of experiencing regular spitting and other forms of aggression, we can no longer tolerate the increasing ways in which our space is being threatened. This has led us to the difficult decision to install roller shutters around the bookshop as an additional step to protect the bookshop and safeguard ourselves and our community who use this space.”
The team hoped to raise £10,000 (AUD$18,855) to complete the work. However, within 12 hours, donations had exceeded the target, with supporters contributing £14,680 (AUD$27,679).
The team later said:
“We are completely blown away by the generosity and solidarity that has come our way. Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared the fundraiser and held us in the past week.
“Over the past eight years, Category Is Books has grown beyond being just a bookshop. It has become an active site of queer organising, mutual aid and community. We genuinely appreciate knowing that this space matters to so many of you, and that we’re not alone in wanting to protect it.”
