BBC withdraws video that taught children there were 'over 100' gender identities

In the BBC Teach resource, primary school children were told that there were over 100 genders. (Photo: BBC)

The BBC has made the decision to "retire" a controversial schools resource that claimed there were "over 100" gender identities. 

The BBC Teach video featured Relationships and Sex Education teacher Kate Daniels telling two young children that there were "so many gender identities".

"So we know we've got male and female, but there are over 100, if not more, gender identities now," she said.

She added: "You've got some people who might call themselves gender queer, who are just like 'I don't really want to be anything in particular, I'm just going to be me.'"

It was one of a series of videos created for use in primary schools with children aged 9 to 12. 

The video was heavily criticised by groups like the Coalition for Marriage, which called it "incredibly dangerous", and the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), which said it was "corrosive and corrupting". 

BBC Bitesize removed this cartoon teaching children about different gender pronouns from its website after complaints. (Photo: BBC Bitesize)

"Parents are under attack and the BBC is fairly near the front of the charge," SPUC's Antonia Tully said at the time.

Confirmation of the video's withdrawal came in a message to the Safe Schools Alliance, which has led a prolonged campaign against the resource. 

In a statement to the alliance, the BBC Complaints Team said the video was being withdrawn not because of a change of view about the content but because the resource had allegedly been "wilfully misinterpreted by parts of the media and others on social media". 

"As such, its original purpose and intention has been overshadowed," the BBC said. 

"On this basis we have made the decision to retire the film." 

The Safe Schools Alliance welcomed the decision to axe the video but called the BBC's statement "disingenuous". 

"The video was biologically inaccurate and undermined safeguarding," it said.

"It is far from the only concern regarding content from BBC Education." 

The U-turn comes after BBC Bitesize was forced to remove a cartoon teaching children how "to be an ally" to their friends who have changed their gender pronouns. 

The cartoon showed three people who appeared male in a changing room and next to the labels 'he/him', 'she/her' and 'they/them'.

News
Christians praying for peace after Israel-Iran escalation
Christians praying for peace after Israel-Iran escalation

With conflict in the Middle East taking a new turn after Israel's strikes on Iran, Christians are praying for peace. 

Pastors faring worse than others in relationships and well-being but most don’t get help
Pastors faring worse than others in relationships and well-being but most don’t get help

Despite faring worse than practising Christians and US adults in general in their relationships, physical, emotional and mental health, most pastors don't get professional support.

Nick Vujicic urges the Church to embrace Christian counselling
Nick Vujicic urges the Church to embrace Christian counselling

Evangelist Nick Vujicic, who has spent much of his life speaking hope into the lives of millions across the world, is now turning his focus inward - toward the Church itself.