The BBC is facing backlash for its recent record of cancelling and censoring LGBTQ+ content. The discussion escalated online following an episode of Strictly Come Dancing on October 10, in which the ‘Protect The Dolls’ slogan on Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt was edited out.
The performer was filmed wearing the top during rehearsals, and the text was visible in a clip shared on the BBC’s social media the week prior. However, when the episode aired, the slogan had been edited out, making the T-shirt appear plain white.
‘Protect The Dolls’ has become a statement of support for trans women, with the T-shirt designed by Conner Ives. Proceeds from the sales go towards the charity Not A Phase, and countless prominent figures, including Pedro Pascal, Tilda Swinton and Troye Sivan, have proudly donned the design.
The BBC defended its decision to censor the slogan as “standard practice”, saying “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.”
However, drag performer Bimini Bon-Boulash argued that ‘Protect The Dolls’ is not simply a slogan; “It’s three words about people who face violence for existing, and the BBC decided you shouldn’t see them.”
Bimini continued, “They’d never wipe ‘Protect all women’. They’d never wipe ‘Protect the elderly’. Nobody calls those branding. The only reason this one got erased is who it protects.
“I’m an advocate for women. I’m against violence towards anyone. That’s exactly why this matters. Deciding one group’s safety is too controversial to show isn’t neutral. It’s picking a side.”
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Others similarly expressed concerns, as this comes after the broadcaster dropped two LGBTQ+ series earlier this year. In March, it announced the cancellation of the I Kissed a Boy and I Kissed a Girl queer dating shows, and in September, it confirmed that RuPaul’s Drag Race UK would leave the BBC after series eight.
What’s more, J.K. Rowling is set to be the subject of an upcoming documentary series commissioned by the broadcaster, examining her work on Harry Potter and her anti-trans politics. While the author will not appear in the production, it is likely to spark significant debate about trans lives.
Beauty influencer Faye Kingston reflected on this “pattern” from the BBC, questioning “why space for LGBTQ+ joy and visibility appears to be shrinking while trans lives continue to be framed through debate and controversy.”
She added, “Representation allows people to see our humour, relationships, talent and humanity. Public service broadcasting should make room for those stories too.”
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