BBC defends decision to use trans professor during misogyny debate on Woman's Hour after facing barrage of complaints

The radio host explained "how discussions to tackle extreme misogyny online were sparked once again" by the documentary's release.

As the debate rumbled on, McGovern welcomed Professor Sarah Hawkes from gender equality think tank 50/50 to the show, as well as Raewyn Connell.

Connell, 82, is a Professor Emerita at the University of Sydney, who studies gender relations and masculinity.

The Sydney-based professor told the programme: "The market there is for boys and young men who are facing difficulties in finding a path in life.

"A lot of people have a fairly bleak prospect, since the rich and powerful trashed the economy, we have a lot of precarious situations.

"They go online, and they meet influencers whose business model involves making outrageous statements of one kind or another, attracting attention, and then monetising it," Connell said.

The 82-year-old went on: "They have a number of things to offer the young men: they offer a sense of solidarity, a sense of being in a boys club, a bit of excitement or sex - or at least instructions on how to get it - and they offer enemies and people you can legitimately put down and, of course, women are number one on that list."

The professor acknowledged the fact that they were born male before transitioning, addressing the BBC radio presenter's probe as to whether this meant there were differences in experiencing misogyny.

"I think that's unquestionable and usual for trans women; they discover some realities that other women have long experienced," Connell replied.

Within moments of the conversation being broadcast, social media was awash with complaints, with critics arguing it was "a disgrace" and even the "ultimate example of misogyny" to use a trans woman to discuss the topic.

The BBC said of the feedback: "We received complaints from people who felt the question put to Raewyn Connell concerning misogyny in relation to the documentary 'Inside the Mansophere' was not appropriate."

Defending its actions, the corporation's response read: "Raewyn Connell, Professor Emerita at the University of Sydney, was invited to contribute to the item on misogyny, on the basis of her academic work as a renowned sociologist studying the social theory of masculinity.

"Professor Connell shared her academic expertise in this discussion exploring themes raised by the Louis Theroux documentary, Inside the Manosphere, also acknowledging her personal experience as a transwoman.

"Woman's Hour regularly covers the topic of misogyny and includes a range of voices and perspectives.

All the complaints were rejected at first triage by the BBC. The response itself is biased by maintaining the pretence that Connell is female.

The BBC Complaints Unit is as much a problem as Woman’s Hour. There are a couple of sensible people there but it’s run on the principle… https://t.co/04ZbYBBXvC pic.twitter.com/2aRNhFwv0x

— SEEN in Journalism (@JournalismSEEN) March 20, 2026

"Professor Sarah Hawkes from the gender equality think tank Global 50/50 also contributed to the discussion," the statement concluded.

The BBC's explanation was met with a similar reception to the initial broadcast, with critics arguing it was further cause to "defund" the organisation.