The Observer is a British newspaper and website. Its coverage of trans topics is generally neutral to negative.
Background
The Observer is the world’s oldest continuously published Sunday newspaper, first issued on December 4, 1791. It was founded in London by W.S. Bourne, initially focusing on foreign news and political commentary. In 1814, the paper was acquired by William Innell Clement, who expanded its scope and circulation during the early 19th century. In 1870, ownership passed to the newspaper magnate Edward Dicey, and later to the Astor family in 1911. Under the Astors, The Observer developed a reputation for liberal politics and serious reporting.
In 1942, it was sold to the Manchester Guardian, marking the beginning of a long association with what later became the Guardian Media Group. David Astor served as editor from 1948 to 1975, a period often regarded as the paper’s most influential era, during which it supported causes such as decolonization, civil rights, and European integration. In 1993, The Observer was fully integrated into the Guardian Media Group following financial difficulties.
The paper launched its website in 1999, sharing digital infrastructure with The Guardian. In 2014, The Observer became part of the Guardian’s digital-first strategy, with reduced print emphasis. By the 2020s, it continued publication as a Sunday paper alongside a primarily online presence, maintaining its focus on long-form journalism and commentary.
Trans coverage
In 2013, Julie Burchill wrote an article for The Observer defending an anti-trans piece by Suzanne Moore. Burchill quipped it showed “chutzpah” to have one’s “cock cut off and then plead special privileges as women.” The article was later pulled, and the editor apologized. Anti-trans troll Toby Young later republished Burchill’s piece in The Telegraph.
In 2022, The Observer published a 7-part podcast series on The Tavistock clinic closure.
References
Pritchard, Stephen (January 18, 2013). Julie Burchill and the Observer, The readers’ editor on why the paper was wrong to publish slurs against trans people The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jan/18/julie-burchill-and-the-observer
Mulholland, john (January 14, 2013). Statement from John Mulholland, editor of the Observer. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jan/14/1
Sweney, Mark (January 14, 2023). The Observer withdraws Julie Burchill column as editor publishes apology. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jan/14/observer-withdraws-julie-burchill-column
Kaveney, Roz (January 13, 2013). Julie Burchill has ended up bullying the trans community. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jan/13/julie-birchill-bullying-trans-community
Anti-trans coverage
Malnick, Edward (March 26, 2013). Julie Burchill entitled to ‘offend’ transsexuals, press watchdog rules. The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9954733/Julie-Burchill-entitled-to-offend-transsexuals-press-watchdog-rules.html
Young, Toby (January 14, 2013). Here is Julie Burchill’s censored Observer article. The Telegraph http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tobyyoung/100198116/here-is-julie-burchills-censored-observer-article/ [archive]
Selected Observer pieces
Parker, Jessy Humphreys May 4, 2025). Football’s ban on trans women draws strong reaction. The Observer https://observer.co.uk/news/sport/article/footballs-ban-on-transgender-women-draws-strong-reaction
Freud, Esther (May 5, 2025). Esther Freud: Trans women are welcome at our pond. The Observer https://observer.co.uk/news/opinion-and-ideas/article/opinion-im-thrilled-our-pond-will-remain-open-to-all
Davis, Phoebe (December 23, 2025). How the trans debate shattered the ‘tranquil haven’ of Hampstead Ponds. The Observer https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/stormy-waters-how-the-trans-debate-shattered-the-tranquil-haven-of-hampstead-ponds
Cummins, Anthony (August 15, 2025). Andrea Long Chu: ‘It felt like a smoking gun.’ The Observer https://observer.co.uk/culture/books/article/andrea-long-chu-it-felt-like-a-smoking-gun
Hayward, Paul (May 23, 2025). Frontman Gary Lineker hits the post one too many times for the BBC. The Observer https://observer.co.uk/news/sport/article/frontman-gary-lineker-hits-the-post-one-too-many-times-for-the-bbc
Hankinson, Andrew (November 26, 2025). Graham Linehan won’t shut up. The Observer https://observer.co.uk/culture/interviews/article/graham-linehan-wont-shut-up
Tavistock podcast series
- A verdict | The Tavistock Ep 1 https://observer.co.uk/listen/the-tavistock/a-verdict
- The broom cupboard | The Tavistock Ep 2 https://observer.co.uk/listen/the-tavistock/the-broom-cupboard
- Thin ice | The Tavistock Ep 3 https://observer.co.uk/listen/tortoise-investigates/thin-ice
- The enemy within | The Tavistock Ep 4 https://observer.co.uk/listen/the-tavistock/the-enemy-within
- The noise | The Tavistock Ep 5 https://observer.co.uk/listen/the-tavistock/the-noise
- The real scandal | The Tavistock Ep 6 https://observer.co.uk/listen/the-tavistock/the-real-scandal
- Gender GP: inside the world of private trans healthcare | Tavistock Ep 7 https://observer.co.uk/listen/the-tavistock/gender-gp-inside-the-world-of-private-trans-healthcare
Burchill, Julie (January 13, 2013). Transsexuals should cut it out. The Observer http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jan/13/transsexuals-should-cut-it-out [not archived] republished by Toby Young at http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tobyyoung/100198116/here-is-julie-burchills-censored-observer-article/ [archive]
Resources
The Observer (observer.co.uk)
- Transgender
- observer.co.uk/search?query=transgender
The Guardian (theguardian.com)
- The Observer Archive
- theguardian.com/theobserverarchive
Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
Instagram (instagram.com)
Threads (threads.com)
YouTube (youtube.com)
TIKTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@theobserveruk)
X/Twitter (x.com)