“Let It Be Known The BBC Are Absolute COWARDS For This”: The BBC Just Defended Censoring A Pro-Trans Slogan From Broadcast, And People Are Seriously Mad

2 weeks ago 25

Earlier this year, the British Broadcasting Corporation, better known as the BBC, came under fire for several reasons after Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo had the n-word shouted at them by John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, while presenting at the BAFTA Film Awards.

The incident sparked widespread discussion about how the situation had been handled, particularly after John claimed that a microphone had been placed in front of his seat despite organizers being aware that his condition could cause him to involuntarily shout offensive language. But people also questioned why the BBC had allowed the highly uncomfortable and beyond inappropriate moment to air on TV, considering the ceremony had been prerecorded.

For reference, while the BBC did not cut the moment that Michael and Delroy had the offensive slur hurled their way, they did actively cut the moment that winner Akinola Davies Jr. said “free Palestine” in his speech.

Fast-forward to this past weekend, and the BBC is at the center of another censorship storm after it was noticed that a transgender rights slogan was edited out of one of the channel’s most popular shows: Strictly Come Dancing, which is effectively the UK’s version of Dancing with the Stars.

This T-shirt raises money for the nonprofit organization Not A Phase and is widely recognized as a sign of support for trans women; celebrities like Pedro Pascal, Madonna, and Troye Sivan have been pictured in “Protect the Dolls” shirts in the past.

Footage from Bethany’s rehearsal was shared on social media last week, with the shirt's slogan briefly seen. However, eagle-eyed viewers were left confused when the same footage shown on TV depicted her in a plain white T-shirt — and this is what also appears on the BBC’s catch-up platform, iPlayer.

In a statement to BuzzFeed, a spokesperson for the BBC defended their decision to edit Bethany’s clothing, saying: “As is standard practice on any entertainment show on the BBC and in line with our editorial guidelines, appropriate steps are taken to reduce the inclusion of any overt branding or slogans that may be present, regardless of the wording or statement in question.”

Still, the whole thing has left a bad taste in people’s mouths, with many questioning how supporting trans women could go against “editorial guidelines.” One tweet, which has more than 12,000 likes, reads: “no other reason to censor a ‘protect the dolls’ t-shirt other than transphobia. Its not offensive in anyway, people who don't already know what it means won't notice.”

Somebody else wrote: “let it be known the bbc are absolute COWARDS for this. i can’t believe calling for the safety of trans women deserves censorship in their eyes. i’m disgusted and you should be to. trans rights always 🏳️‍⚧️” Another added: “We've [become] so right wing as a country, we can't show a shirt promoting safety and inclusivity.” While one more shared: “This is disgraceful behaviour from the BBC. Shame on them.”

It’s also not lost on people that this apparent censorship has come just weeks after the BBC axed RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, and months after scrapping the LGBTQ+ dating shows I Kissed A Girl and I Kissed A Boy due to “funding challenges.” Speaking to BBC Newsbeat at the time, former I Kissed A Boy contestant Jordan Burrow said: “I’m not even shocked at this point. I just feel like it’s very much an example of where we’re at within the queer community and where we stand with people who are not in the community.”

And this is not the first time that the channel has come under fire for changing people’s clothing to meet its editorial standards. For example, in 2017, they blurred out Clean Bandit singer Grace Chatto’s T-shirt, which showed support for the then-Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn — leaving Grace "furious."

In 2024, Kaiser Chiefs’ star Ricky Wilson had his “Trans Rights Are Human Rights” shirt obscured when he appeared on an episode of Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.

India Willoughby/ BBC / Via x.com

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