Trigger warning: discussions of murder and transphobia
Sixteen-year-old Brianna Ghey, a British transgender girl, was tragically killed by two teenagers, Eddie Ratcliffe and Scarlett Jenkinson. Despite occasional claims from TERF individuals on social media, it has been established that transphobia played a role in the attack.
The enormity of her murder sent shockwaves through the community, yet the U.K. media continues to propagate transphobic narratives. The discourse surrounding “gender critical” ideologies is still weaponized against transgender individuals.
Currently, the inquest into Ghey’s murder is ongoing, forcing the transgender community to relive the horrifying details surrounding this crime. Expectations for fair and empathetic coverage by the press were low, and unfortunately, they were not met. Instead of honoring Ghey’s memory, British newspapers are spotlighting comments from Ratcliffe’s mother, praising her son despite the heinous act he committed.
It is crucial to recognize that similar points were made during the trial, raising the question: why reiterate these sentiments now? An article from The Times bore the sensational headline, “Brianna Ghey’s killer was set for Oxbridge, says mother,” referring to the elite universities, Oxford and Cambridge.
The absolute state of the Times here pic.twitter.com/dlpBi74OmJ
— Lee Hurley (@HLeeHurley) October 24, 2024
In the article, Alice Hemmings, Ratcliffe’s mother, described her son as a “good child with good morals” who “clearly knows right and wrong.” While it’s hard to imagine the turmoil in the minds of the parents, this defense is unearned for Ratcliffe, especially considering the brutal nature of Ghey’s murder—he and Jenkinson stabbed her 28 times with a hunting knife.
Moreover, it is appalling that The Times failed to use female pronouns for Ghey even once, showcasing a blatant disregard for her identity.
Lee Hurley, co-founder of Trans Writes, shared the Times article on X and referenced a similar write-up in The Guardian, which perpetuated the “good morals” narrative.
The absolute state of the Guardian here pic.twitter.com/2CYib3xTR7
— Lee Hurley (@HLeeHurley) October 24, 2024
Why are we focusing on the supposed goodness of Ratcliffe, and the bright future he could have had? This reflects a troubling trend in media narratives where the potential of male offenders is lamented alongside the lives they have disruptively taken.
A poignant example of this phenomenon is Brock Turner, who sexually assaulted Chanel Miller while she was unconscious. Turner received a mere six-month sentence, serving only three. Miller’s impactful victim statement gained traction, highlighting the grave effects on her life, yet Turner was shielded by the justice system because of concerns over how prison would affect him.
This mindset is profoundly misogynistic, and it’s disheartening that British media outlets are echoing the same sentiments regarding Eddie Ratcliffe. No murderer should be celebrated for unrealized potential when they have taken away someone else’s future. Brianna Ghey was worthy of so much more.
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