BBC: "We approache every story with the same rigorous impartiality"

On the one side, we have illegal discrimination, and on the other, we have right-wing hate groups. And in response to this, the BBC says, yet again: "Let's be impartial". https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/06/22/bbc-news-institutional-transphobia-kamal-ahmed-crispin-blunt-trans-media-watch/

The exact same discrimination which would a fast track to HR and the disciplinary process in the rest of the BBC, is somehow allowed and protected in BBC News. And sure, they'll claim journalistic privilege, to which my response is, DON'T.

Just because you maybe *can* use that argument to allow such abuse to persist, doesn't mean you should. I believe that it's morally wrong, plain and simple.

Just as it was, and still is, morally wrong when the press attacked or "debated the issues" around gay men, before progress was made and acceptance became more widespread.

Just as it was, and still is, morally wrong when the press attacked or "debated the issues" around people with disabilities, before progress was made and acceptance became more widespread.

Just as it was, and still is, morally wrong when the press attacked or "debated the issues" around black people, before progress was made and acceptance became more widespread.

(Obviously there is an absolute shit-ton of work still to do)

But when it comes to transgender people... it was, and still is, morally wrong when the press attack or "debated the issues" ... the major difference being, it's far from being a problem that we've put behind us.

The attacks continue, the fight for dignity and fair treatment, continues.

The disgusting and cowardly hiding behind the defence of "it's journalism", sadly also continues.

I worked for the BBC for 11 years. Four years into my time there, I came out, and started my transition.

I had hoped to effect more change, to improve things. I'd like to think I made a difference somewhere, with better awareness and better language, and so on.

But when it came to News and Current Affairs (The Today programme, anyone? Newsnight? The "Transgender Kids: Who Knows Best?" so-called documentary?

I'm afraid I failed.

More than once I got into a bit of trouble for speaking out too loudly. It didn't always go down well. But I felt that it was a fight worth fighting.

One of the biggest eye-opening moments was when I spoke to someone very senior with responsibility for Diversity & Inclusion within the corporation, and I pointed out the BBC News transphobia problem, and the response I got: "I'm not aware that there is a problem".

I tried to keep fighting, but it was tiring, and I'm afraid eventually I gave up and moved on. I'm sorry.

I have faith that someone continues that fight today.

Although I always had to be careful (with varying degrees of success) with what I said, I said at the time that I wanted the BBC coming out stronger, and better. There are those who want the BBC to be gone: I didn't want that.

But what has changed since then? Only that I've moved on, but my standpoint remains unchanged.

Same arguments, same false "debate" between respect and hate, same hiding behind "impartiality".

And we're tired, so tired. But we won't stop, until we are treated with the same respect that most people already have, and that *everyone* deserves.