In a move that has sparked heated debate from both trans rights advocates and gender-critical crusaders, BBC presenter Martine Croxall opted to rewrite history — or at least the teleprompter — live on air. While reporting on heatwave-related health risks, Croxall blinked, raised her eyebrows, and audibly substituted the inclusive phrase “pregnant people” with “women,” effectively editing her script in real time.
“Malcolm Mistry, who was involved in the research, said the aged, pregnant people – women – and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions,” Croxall stated, with a performance that seemed more editorial than accidental.
Social media lit up like London asphalt in a July scorcher. For some, Croxall was a silent warrior defending ‘common sense.’ For others, especially within the trans and non-binary community, it was another casual erasure in a media landscape that still struggles to treat them as, well, people. Because here’s the thing: not all pregnant people are women — and language matters.
BBC Backs the Edit
Despite cries of bias or transphobia, the BBC seems thoroughly unbothered. In an official response to a viewer complaint, the network backed its longtime newsreader, stating she used her “editorial judgement” to make the change. The response also affirmed that the adjustment was “duly accurate and impartial,” aligning with BBC’s editorial standards.
This, of course, raises eyebrows across the LGBTQ community. “It’s not about one word,” said an anonymous activist. “It’s about who gets to be seen and acknowledged in public discourse. If someone like Croxall can publicly edit out trans-inclusive language with zero consequence, that sends a message.”
The BBC’s statement added that the original phrase came from a study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and was not clearly attributed. Hence, Croxall, who has been with the BBC since 2001, felt justified in taking matters into her own hands — and eyebrows.
Rowling Weighs In, Predictably
It wouldn’t be a trans rights controversy without JK Rowling fluttering into the replies. The author wasted no time praising Croxall, dubbing her a “new favourite BBC presenter.” Rowling, who has a long and well-documented history of objecting to gender-inclusive language, previously took issue with terms like “people who menstruate” and used Mother’s Day as a platform to champion biological essentialism.
Whether Croxall invited this endorsement or not, it’s now part of the story — and for the trans community, Rowling’s stamp of approval is hardly a compliment.
A Bigger Pattern, Not Just a Blip
While Croxall’s live word swap may seem minor, the broader implications are chilling. In a media climate where anti-trans sentiment is rising in many corners of the UK, moments like this set precedents. The casual erasure of inclusive language isn’t just a style preference — it’s a political act. And when national broadcasters shrug it off, it risks normalizing the marginalization of trans and non-binary people.
Let’s be clear: visibility isn’t a luxury — it’s survival. And when a term like “pregnant people” gets tossed aside for comfort or controversy, it’s not just semantics. It’s a reminder of whose identities are still up for debate — and whose are seen as default.
Croxall may have widened her eyes, but for many trans and non-binary viewers, this moment simply narrowed their space in the conversation.