aka "some cool trans women got airtime in 1973 to tell their own stories, and I sure have feelings about it"
anything that contains the phrase “secret BBC memo reveals” intrigues me automatically ngl but I want you all to know that as far as I can gather, the facts are even better than this headline
which is to say, this was part of an initiative in the early 1970s that not only featured marginalized groups on BBC programming, but made moves towards handing them editorial control – the BBC had to approve proposals, but after that, the station’s role was primarily to provide technical resources, facilities, and copyright handling. (another notable program under this initiative featured Black teachers discussing racism in the school system, and a link to that – plus discussion of the hurdles it faced – can be found here).
the program on trans experience was aired in 1973.
The programme, featuring trans women, began: “Jokes about ‘the operation’ are all that most people know about transexualism [sic]. Tonight’s group discuss their situation in a more serious and comprehensive way, and draw attention to the many difficulties they endure”.
you can watch Open Door: Transex Liberation Group here (as well as other archived LGBTQ programming from BBC).
1: hell yeah
2: David Attenborough was a childhood hero of mine and i’m glad to see he was always a champ
3: look at these related articles
