BBC denies telling staff to describe trans women as 'biological males'

"The BBC has denied giving any specific instruction or directive to editorial staff on using the phrase "biological males" to discuss trans women in their stories. In recent weeks, many people have noted that the BBC has seemingly begun using the phrase "biological males" in copy to refer to trans women, a dogwhistle often used in gender-critical circles. For example, in the BBC's recent coverage of the outcome of the Graham Linehan harassment and criminal damage trial - in which he was found guilty of the latter charge and not guilty of the former - the victim in the case, Sophia Brooks, was described as "born a biological male but identifies as a woman"."

"Another example of the term appears in the BBC's recent coverage of the Sandie Peggie tribunal. In it, the BBC writes: "(Peggie) claimed that having to get changed beside her transgender colleague Dr Beth Upton - a biological male who identifies as a woman - amounted to unlawful harassment under the Equality Act." There has been a lot of discussion on social media about the BBC's phrasing, so much so that it led US-based trans journalist Erin Reed to publish a piece on the topic, written by S. Baum, on her blog, in which the BBC's use of "biological male" is described as "unscientific and pejorative rhetoric surrounding trans people.""

"The change comes amid allegations that the BBC has been taken over by a so-called "pro-trans" bias following director general Tim Davie's resignation. In the wake of this, a leaked memo - attributed to ex-journalist Michael Prescott when he acted as advisor to the BBC's Editorial Guidelines and Standards Board -- suggested BBC reporters had "censored" coverage of LGBTQ+ issues as part of a so-called 'pro-trans agenda'. However, the BBC's long history of trans and wider LGBTQ+ "

The BBC denied giving editorial staff specific instructions to use "biological males" when discussing trans women. The phrase has appeared in recent coverage, including the Graham Linehan trial where Sophia Brooks was described as "born a biological male but identifies as a woman." The wording also featured in reporting of the Sandie Peggie tribunal, quoting Peggie's claim about a transgender colleague. Social media debate prompted a blog post by US-based journalist Erin Reed describing the phrasing as "unscientific and pejorative rhetoric surrounding trans people." A leaked memo alleged a perceived 'pro-trans' bias following Tim Davie's resignation.

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