BBC should not Bow to Bigots

KENILWORTH, 18 FEBRUARY 2003 — The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) is urging the BBC to stand firm against the reported four hundred complaints it received about a “close-up” shot of a kiss between two male nurses broadcast on BBC1’s Casualty.

George Broadhead, GALHA’s secretary, said: “The idea that such an innocent, gentle and loving scene should be excised from the episode or shown after the 9 o’clock ‘watershed’ is absurd. It gives a heartless message to the young gays who are struggling to make sense of their sexuality. Those making such a fuss are really saying that they find homosexuality repugnant, but most rationally-minded people will recognise this mean and homophobic stance for what it is.

“The rate of suicides among young gays, often too frightened to discuss their sexuality with their parents or friends, is about twice that of other people of the same age. Attitudes like those of the protesters fuel feelings of isolation and poor self-image that such young people often have. Positive portrayals on TV have a significant part to play in mitigating this unnecessary suffering.

“The newspaper reports have given huge prominence to the complainants, but it has been acknowleged that many others are comfortable that the kiss was dealt with responsibly.”

GALHA has written to the BBC calling on it not to bow to the bigots’ demands and to accept that there is no problem with showing such scenes before the watershed.