BBC To Depict Gays 'More Positively'

The corridors of power in the BBC are 'too straight' for some tastes and there has been a call for the corporation to ensure it shows alternatives to alleged gay stereotypes.
A report commissioned by the BBC found lesbian, gay and bi-sexual (LGB) people wanted to see more positive depictions on screen and on air.
In particular, they want to see more lesbian women and depictions of bisexual identity, as well as alternatives to stereotypes of gay men," said the study.
It also found heterosexual people, who identified themselves, as being "comfortable" with the way gay people were portrayed, wanted an approach "broadly the same".
However, the study found most people said they were comfortable with the portrayal of LGB people or did not feel strongly about it. The 18% who said they were uncomfortable with it said scenes of "emotional and physical intimacy" were the main problem.
More than 2,000 people took part in the survey and the corporation also held a public consultation which got more than 9,400 responses.
Recommendations based on the report have been made to Director General Mark Thompson. Among them are that the BBC achieves "accurate and authentic portrayal of lesbian, gay and bisexual people".
(BMcC/GK)