BBC rejects transphobic accusations after petition and protests against article

The BBC has defended an article which critics had labelled transphobic.

A piece published on their website titled 'We're being pressured into sex by some trans women' featured interviews with several women.

An open letter to the BBC from campaign group Trans Activism UK, which was signed by more than 20,000 people, criticised the article.

The BBC has responded to complaints, saying the article was "carefully considered before publication, went through a rigorous editorial review process and fully complies with the BBC’s editorial guidelines and standards".

The article, published last week, questioned whether a lesbian is "transphobic if she does not want to have sex with trans women". It featured several comments from lesbians who said they had been criticised for this.

In a statement, the BBC admits the article itself says :there is little research in this area" and that "the survey featured was conducted on social media and is therefore self-selecting; and even the author of the survey admits it may not be a representative sample".

It added: "Furthermore, there is a link to the detail of the findings which enables the reader to make up their own minds about the replies the sample generated."

But the BBC added that the organisation had spent many months speaking to people about the topic and that "as a public service broadcaster we explore a wide range of issues and perspectives".

The BBC had faced protests outside some of its regional newsrooms and petitions from trans campaign groups over the article.

The BBC added: "We have a strong commitment to impartiality, which means we constantly consider and evaluate which stories to cover and how.

"Impartiality is fundamental, and includes covering stories on any point of the spectrum of debate.

"And stories should be seen not just individually, but in the broader context of our wider coverage.

"The piece has prompted many complaints and many appreciations and we will consider all feedback carefully."