‘The Big Questions’ descends into transphobia
This morning the BBC Big Questions show aired a segment, debating “would gender-neutral language be better for mankind?”, and during this feature there was persistent use of transphobic language. At Stand Up, we do not agree that such debates should be broadcast in the first place. While a seemingly benign topic, the BBC has routinely held debates on trans issues for the last few years and they have almost all involved fervent anti trans speakers arguing that trans people do not have a right to self-define. Predictably, today’s debate was little different.
Within the debate, there was an incident where author Belinda Brown deliberately misgendered non-binary guest Emma Simpson. The language that followed continued into the realms of hate speech. Brown insisted that Simpson was a woman and that gender could be told “by looking” at most people. During this time, the moderator Nicky Campbell did not quash this line of attack and seemed out of place, happy to let the transphobic tirade continue.
Emma Simpson spoke to Stand Up about their experience on the BBC show.
“I have large amount of privilege alongside my trans identity, and am therefore able to exist on some of these mainstream platforms. I wanted to have the conversation, and knew that transphobic language was likely,” Simpson commented.
“However, for as much as I came prepared, I am disappointed that trans identities continue to be treated as choices, rather than as identities to be respected. I would have appreciated the host stepping in to address such extreme transphobic statements.
“That being said, I have to give credit to the production crew of the show, who were incredibly supportive before and after the show, and have demonstrated commitment to taking my suggestions for a braver, safer space on board.”
Credit must be given to the BBC crew behind the scenes who were praised for their support. It was also an autonomous decision everyone took in the studio to even participate in the debate. However, debates are supposed to be safe forums to air ideas and viewpoints, and not places where people are attacked simply for existing. Simpson showed remarkable calm in the face of such hostility and they responded logically and respectfully in the face of abuse. Yet, Campbell should have played a stronger role so that the situation never deteriorated to that point.
There are arguments by trans activists that such debates should not go ahead. Nathaniel Gale, a non-binary activist and lawyer, felt debates on trans issues were repetitive in the way they devolved into debates around trans people’s right to exist.
“My main issue with such ‘debates’ is the fact that it’s thought of as legitimate to question the value, or even existence, of the identities and pro-nouns of non-binary people,” Gale commented.
“If they want to discuss issues affecting trans people they could focus on our access to healthcare or something.
“I don’t think these discussions are ever framed in such a way so as to change people’s minds. People who think ‘they’ as a singular pronoun is ridiculous will continue to think that way, so it’s hard for it not to just seem like a platform for people to share such views.”
Additionally, in a statement to Stand Up, Trans Be:North emphasised that while they did not watch that specific show, they were against the core concept of debating trans identities.
“The trans debate is a non-debate, trans people do not need to prove their right to exist. There are debates about gender norms, which harm everyone cis or trans which could be had. In many ways this obsession with debating the trans right to exist means we never get to debate the wider issues, such as how patriarchal norms oppress all genders. Using trans lives as ‘clickbait’ is lazy journalism and to be honest, boring, even whilst it causes harm. The BBC needs to do better.”
Debates can help move society forward. They shine a spotlight on issues that people may not have otherwise heard of. There’s certainly an argument that more nuanced debates should be conducted, such as how we can deliver better health care or what we can do to support trans youths. Yet, debates will always throw a spotlight on marginalised people. With visibility and progress, there inevitably comes hatred and abuse. Debates are designed to counter ignorance in society and not fuel it. Moreover, they’re forums of free speech but that cannot be true if marginalised people face such vehement attacks simply for asking for their pronouns to be respected. Transphobic people are not the ones being silenced. It is trans people who risk being silenced when a debate loses control.
In future, there should be greater emphasis on stamping out such acts of hate speech such as misgendering, and by calling out myths. A debate’s value is assigned by the quality of its content and not by its ratings. If debates are to take place, all sides must be equal and free from experiencing distress or targeting of any kind.
#WeStandUp
