Army sparks feminist backlash after first transgender soldier to serve on the front line takes part in panel discussion about ‘women in leadership’ at Sandhurst event

The Army has sparked a feminist backlash after the first transgender soldier to serve on the front line was featured on a panel at a ‘women in leadership’ event.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Deborah Penny was taking part in a discussion about the ‘lived experience’ of women in the forces at Sandhurst event this week.

WO2 Penny, who has served for the British Army for more than 40 years across Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Iraq, is the Warrant Officer for diversity and inclusion.

The decision to select WO2 Penny on the five-person panel over biological women provoked a backlash from campaigners who argue her experience was ‘irrelevant’ to women as she joined as a man and served in roles female troops could not.

Helen Joyce, the director of advocacy for campaign group Sex Matters, told The Telegraph that the trans soldier ‘came into the army as a man and as a man did things that women could not do’.

She added: ‘It is enormously offensive to present this to women as something that is useful to their careers, they cannot do the same thing,’ she said.

‘It is insulting and really suggests that there aren’t any women who can be women in leadership. I think that they would have been better off not doing the event.’

The latest Government statistics show that in 2021, just 13.81 per cent of officers were women – as female soldiers continue to remain underrepresented in the Army, particularly in leadership positions. 

The Ministry of Defence also came under fire on social media after Hannah Colbeck, co-chair of the Army Servicewomen’s Network, posted pictures of the event online.

Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (stock) was where the controversial talk took place this week

‘Great being [at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst] today to support the [Army Engagement] team delivering a Women in Leadership event. Pomp and ceremony from the Commandant’s Parade, followed by a Lived Experience Panel and questions,’ she said.

Social media users complained that WO2 Penny’s spent time in the Commandos in 1986 – which women were not allowed to enter at the time. All combat roles were only made available to women five years ago.

Despite facing criticism, senior Army figures have praised the ‘progressive’ decision made by the forces. Former head of the Army Lord Dannatt said that by having a trans women it was ‘a good way of reflecting all dimensions of female point of view’. 

WO2 Penny has previously opened up about her long transition process between 2004, when she came out, and 2010. Trans people were allowed to join the military from 1999 – a year before gay, lesbian and bisexual people could.

Last year, the solider was nominated for a national diversity lifetime achiever award, which saw her recognised as someone who ‘actively delivers presentations to external audiences from schools, communities and businesses to break down barriers and dispel myths about being trans, LGBTQ+ and a woman in today’s Army’ and has ‘pioneered diversity training’.

Earlier this year, British Army officer Abigail Austen, the first officer to begin gender reassignment while serving in the military, claimed she was told to shoot herself when she revealed to her commanding officer that she was trans.

An Army spokesman said: ‘The comments posted on social media regarding this individual and any amplification of it are unacceptable, and does not reflect what the Army stands for, which is a place where everyone is welcome.

‘We are an inclusive employer, where every single member of our personnel is valued and they all have the right to participate in network events to support each other’s personal experiences in our service.’