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BBC Censors Non-Binary Mention In Transformers Earthspark Cartoon

The BBC channel CBBC has censored a mention of a character being non-binary in the Transformers Earthspark cartoon during Pride Month.

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Article Summary

  • BBC's CBBC edited out the mention of "non-binary" from a Transformers cartoon.
  • Edit occurred during Pride Month, causing a stir in the Transformers community.
  • Nick Roche, a comic creator, publicly criticized the censorship on Twitter.
  • Uncertainty remains whether BBC or licensors prompted the content alteration.

A year ago, the Transformers Earthspark cartoon made a comment that one of its characters identified with non-binary pronouns. In episode 17, Home Part 1, the Transformer character Nightshade tells a human friend, Sam, that "he or she just doesn't fit who I am" and asks others to use "they/them" instead. Nightshade added that the term "non-binary" was a "wonderful word for a wonderful experience." And that was basically that.

BBC Censors Non-Binary Mention In Transformers Earthspark Cartoon
Transformers Earthspark YouTube screencap

But it seemed that something so simple, non-confrontational, and possibly even relevant was too much for the BBC in the current political climate. Some of it, at least. In the recent BBC transmission of the show, the discussion of pronouns is kept, but in Sam's line, "I know I'm safe when I'm with my friends or other non-binary people," the words saying "other non-binary people" have been removed, mid-sentence, in a harsh cut. Here is how it aired on CBBC, and as seen on the BBC iPlayer.

And here is how it played out originally without the cut.

That such a cut was made in Pride Month has made such a cut even more insensitive for some. Comic book creator Nick Roche, behind the comic book Scarenthood, posted;

"This has winded me. An edit on the Children's BBC @cbbc showing of Transformers Earthspark to remove the phrase 'non-binary'. The work that CBBC and Cbeebies do to show a better and more inclusive world can't be understated, and THAT'S why this stands out a mile. Just unkind.  The children's programming on the @bbc has always stood apart, even when it's clear that the news dept feel they have to follow an agenda/play to the Tories. You always felt with the BBC that different spaces within the corporation could stand apart from others. Then this. In a weird organisation that houses Kuennesberg and Question Time, but can also produce such inclusive quality programming as its kids output, enlightened docs on BBC Three and the current Doctor Who, this blatant and callous erasure leaves such a sour taste. I hate this. Screw it, I'm telling RTD."

Whether this was the BBC or the licensing wing of the original production house creating content they believe is better suited to other territories has not been confirmed. But the BBC is usually aware if cuts have been made to content, even from an outside producer,

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Rich JohnstonAbout Rich Johnston

Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne, Chase Variant. Lives in South-West London, works from The Union Club on Greek Street, shops at Gosh, Piranha and FP. Father of two daughters. Political cartoonist.
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