BBC Staff Told there are More than 150 Genders and Urged to Develop ‘Trans Brand’

BBC staff have been told there are more than 150 genders, and they must develop their “trans brand” by declaring their pronouns on email sign-offs. Ewan Somerville in the Telegraph has more.

The Telegraph has obtained material provided to radio staff by Global Butterflies, a transgender group that the BBC drafted in for training sessions last summer and autumn.

Emails were sent to radio producers and programme editors, some from heads of departments, urging them to attend the training.

During the sessions, leaked to the Telegraph, staff were shown an array of gender-neutral pronouns they should use including “xe, xem, xyrs”, and were told: “People can self-identify themselves in over 150 ways, and increasing!”

Staff were told they should include their pronouns in email signature boxes to be “part of your trans brand” as an “inclusive and welcoming… brilliant show of ally support”.

The Global Butterflies trainer told staff that “he/she” pronouns “can create “discomfort, stress and anxiety” for gender non-conforming people and “it has been shown that in young trans people, using correct pronouns and names reduces depression and suicide risks”.

The diversity training said: “If you overhear a colleague using the incorrect pronouns for someone, take them aside and remind them of the correct pronouns.”