- A BBC host is now being criticized after interviewing transgender woman fighter Fallon Fox, who happened to have made a controversial comment in 2020
- The host has finally spoken about the issue
BBC radio host Justin Webb is being flamed after inviting transgender woman MMA fighter Fallon Fox for an interview. Apparently, Webb was unaware of Fox’s controversial comment about trans-exclusionary radical feminists, or the so-called “TERFS” a few years ago and is now facing massive backlash.
A highly-sensitive topic
Transgender athletes have become a hot topic of discussions lately following the International Swimming Federation’s (FINA) adaptation of a new policy which prohibits transgender women from competing in women’s swimming competitions.
Being one of the first admittedly transgender fighters in MMA, Fallon Fox was invited by BBC radio host Justin Webb to hear what “The Queen of Swords’” take on the issue is.
It would’ve been a logical move and a normal interview if it wasn’t for Fox’s negative comments related to the subject back in June 2020. As a result, Webb was criticized by the program’s listeners.
“For the record, I knocked two out,” Fox wrote on the now-deleted tweet. “One woman’s skull was fractured, the other not. And just so you know, I enjoyed it. See, I love smacking up TEFS in the cage who talk transphobic nonsense. It’s bliss! Don’t be mad.”
What was @BBCRadio4 @BBCr4today thinking by inviting trans fighter Fallon Fox onto the show to talk about FINAs new trans policy for womens swimming .
Fox is on record saying “I enjoyed” fracturing a woman’s skull and “I love smacking up terfs’ @NadineDorries @JustinOnWeb https://t.co/ONbO561EC6 pic.twitter.com/M4S7IjeQFT
— FairPlayForWomen (@fairplaywomen) June 21, 2022
Webb’s bold admission
As the negative feedback continues to flood on social media, Webb finally came clean about the issue and admitted that he “had no idea” about the said comment by Fox in 2020. More importantly, Webb pointed out that he should’ve known better and such issue should really be tackled “fairly.”
“I think you’re right Nikki,” Webb wrote in response to a Twitter user who commented on the matter. “I had no idea (and frankly I am one of the better informed on this subject) and the producers didn’t either. We need to tackle these issues fairly but not from the ‘everyone calm down’ perspective that fails to note who is violent and who is not.”
I think you're right Nikki. I had no idea (and frankly I am one of the better informed on this subject) and the producers didn't either. We need to tackle these issues fairly but not from the 'everyone calm down' perspective that fails to note who is violent and who is not.
— justin webb (@JustinOnWeb) June 21, 2022
Fox has been a professional MMA fighter since 2012 but has not fought since 2014. As a fighter, “The Queen of Swords” is pretty good but only time could tell when would she be free of all the sensitive issues regarding her being a transgender woman.
