Oxfam axes game celebrating ‘inspirational women’ after transgender staff complain

25 October 2021, 13:29 | Updated: 25 October 2021, 15:34

Oxfam has withdrawn a card game featuring "inspirational women" after receiving complaints from transgender and non-binary staff.

The charity has removed its wonder woman bingo from stores, a game which featured women across the globe who had "made a mark on the world, from scientists and artists to writers, activists and beyond".

But after receiving complaints that the game did not "respect people of all genders" Oxfam took the decision to withdraw the game from all of their stores.

Oxfam said: "We took the decision to remove the game from sale following concerns raised by trans and non-binary colleagues who told us that it didn’t live up to our commitment to respect people of all genders."

Oxfam didn't specify beyond their statement why it was discontinued but as of Monday it was still unavailable.

The cards which were first released in August 2020, featured actor Elliot Page’s birth name.

The actor, famous for his roles in Juno and Umbrella Academy, came out as transgender in December 2020 after the card game was released by the charity.

The bingo cards pictured 48 women including Greta Thunberg, Marie Curie, Rosa Parks and Emmeline Pankhurst as well as JK Rowling and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who both have come under fire for their controversial comments about the transgender community.

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A description of the game online reads: "Based on Happy Families, this game will inspire girls (and boys) who already know that there's more to life than being a princess!"

Another description reads: "A Swedish teen who's leading the charge on climate change, a gymnast with 30 Olympic and World Championship medals, the youngest Nobel Prize laureate.

"They're all women, they're all heroes, and they're ready to lead you to victory during your next bingo game."

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Oxfam’s decision has been criticised online with Labour MP Rosie Duf­field MP telling the MailOnline that she is "disappointed" with the decision.

She said: "I am disappointed Oxfam considers taking a political view of gender identity politics more important than raising as much money as possible for those most in need."