Woman's Hour 20.11.24 Darlington Nurses.

[WinterTrees]

I've almost lost the will to chart the craven betrayal of women by this dickpandering programme, but I think it's still useful to keep a record of every time the BBC chucks women under the bus.

Here is a classic example.

Listen if you can stomach it. It's the second item on the programme (after coverage of the incredible Gisele Pelicot - a woman who is standing up against patriarchy and the dominancy of macho, sexually predatory culture) and on the upside the nurse, Bethany, is clear and calm and articulate. She deserves a listen at least. Nuala McGovern, presenter of the BBC's flagship women's programme, whose remit is to centre female perspective, had a cynical tone throughout, pressing Bethany on her Christian beliefs (the implication being that she's some kind of evangelical nutcase) and utterly failing to show any empathy or understanding whatsoever of why a woman doesn't want to undress in front of a man.

I know it's no surprise anymore, but somehow it's still disappointing. And fucking enraging.

Bloody hell. Not sure I can face it. They should rename women's hour to dickpandering hour at this point.

They're a good part of the reason I no longer pay the TV license.

I actually think it's worth a listen, mainly because Bethany put across the arguments very well and came across as completely reasonable.

Pertinent, maybe. But not use it to discredit and diminish a woman who is trying to reclaim the right to undress in a single sex space. On a programme whose remit is to prioritise female perspectives.

And of course the reason the nurses had to turn to Christian Concern was because their own union disgracefully refused to support them.

Asking Bethany if her belief that sex is immutable is a Christian belief?????
She held her own and answered with dignity, restraint and absolute clarity.
Appalling interview and ironic as a follow on to the discussion about the Pelicot case.

I was pleased WH covered it tbh, and I thought Nuala gave Bethany a fair hearing which is more than some WH presenters would have done. Yes, the Christian element seemed like a red herring but I can see why a journalist would raise it, to see the response. Bethany handled that well I thought.

A woman who together with another group of women is taking her employer to a tribunal on the grounds of sex discrimination and harassment and Nuala asks would you call this person ‘she’ if they wore different clothes? Sums up the BBC perfectly!

I’m torn on Nuala’s handling. The pointed use of ‘she’ in reference to the TW staff felt like pretty clear signposting to me.

There was, however, some use in the piss poor questioning in that it gave Bethany an opportunity to speak so well and so clearly on the relevant issues. She handled the ‘traps’ (don’t you agree with trans rights) beautifully.

Plus, I liked how Bethany went out of their way to say that it had nothing to do with the employee in question and that the staff had also been poorly managed by HR. Did feel Nuala was itching to throw accusations of ‘far right Christian fanatic’ at her.

WH has been so disappointing since Emma B left.

This one deserves a tsunami of complaints to the BBC. Just listened to it and I'm in shock at how it was framed. Such a sensitive subject will have gone right up the editorial chain too, it will have been approved from above. Absolutely unbelievable, except of course, it isn't.

https://x.com/JournalismSEEN/status/1859220990829421005

Link to the full interview

What's more pertinent on a programme dedicated to women's issues is the intolerable situation that these nurses have been put into, and the terrible way their needs and dignity have been dealt with. Since when has standing up for women and their dignity been purely the responsibility of Christian groups?

Bethany wasn't on trial. This was Woman's Hour. Her voice should have been central.....not subject to "a hearing".

Fair enough, but as I’m sure you’ve noticed, it’s difficult enough even getting these topics covered by the Beeb. Journalists are often somewhat confrontational, in that they take the opposite view, to see what you say. I agree that TW get the kid glove treatment that women don’t get when fighting their corner.
I thought Bethany did herself and the other nurses proud and that it’s good this story has been aired by WH at last.

Not sure if it was on WH or the prog before it, but an NHS Midwife trotted out the dreadful “birthing people” line when talking through a segment on the problems with NHS midwifery and women’s issues with getting the birthing support they need.

The BS is so thoroughly ingrained now.

It's hard to credit that the presenter of a women's programme actually demanded to know what another woman was afraid might happen in a mixed-sex changing room.

Yes, Bethany did a great job...and Nuala's coldness and obstructiveness simply highlighted how crazy this whole business is.

Nuala is a male right activist is the only takeaway I got from that. The contempt in her voice was barely disguised.

I actually think Nuala McGovern was just playing the game that she knew was expected from her in the terms of BBC "impartiality" as it applies in the debate over gender identity ideology.

That’s also my take although I realise views on this differ. I’m not sure which side of the fence NMcG is on this issue, no one could say that of Anita Rani…

I couldn’t believe this question either. Though I liked the fact it gave the nurse the chance to reply “rape, assault and voyeurism”.
The vast majority of the audience would think the presenter’s question to be ridiculous.

I did think that at some points. She was very neutral and probably afraid for her job.

There was absolutely no warmth or empathy in her voice. She was cold and supercilious.

The nurse came over very well and if anything the questions allowed her to show just how ridiculous this situation is.

I think finally being allowed to set out the very reasonable fears is helpful. I’m sure some WH listeners still think all TW are sad post op gay blokes in full make-up and dresses, desperate to pass and fit in, as opposed to blokes with long hair, in male clothing and with intact men bits and girlfriends, asking you when you’re getting undressed.