EastEnders gets complaints over pre-watershed Gay Kiss

[Kardan]

BBC soap EastEnders has received 145 complaints from viewers concerned about a gay kiss in Tuesday night's episode.

The scene which has been called into question saw Christian Clarke (John Partridge) and his new boyfriend Lee Thompson (Carl Ferguson) sharing a kiss on the bench in Albert Square's gardens. As Dot Cotton (June Brown) walked through the Square during their embrace, she reminded them that "the Lord’s not the only one with eyes".

Writing on the Points Of View message board, one viewer said: "I am appalled by the display of homosexual kissing before the watershed shown on EastEnders. This is disgraceful whilst young children are watching and sets the wrong example."

Another viewer said of the scene: "I had to explain to my seven-year-old son what was happening. He now thinks he is gay because he kisses his dad."

One viewer, however, added: "I don't see what the fuss is about, given the context of their kissing and messing about and the way it was portrayed."

In a statement, the BBC defended its depiction of homosexual relationships, saying: "EastEnders aims to reflect real life, and this means including and telling stories about characters from many different backgrounds, faiths, religions and sexualities.

"We approach our portrayal of homosexual relationships in the same way as we do heterosexual relationships. In this instance, Christian is enjoying the first flush of romance and we've shown him being affectionate with his new boyfriend in the same way any couple would."

It continued: "We also aim to ensure that depictions of affection or sexuality between couples are suitable for pre-watershed viewing. We believe that the general tone and content of EastEnders is now widely recognised, meaning that parents can make an informed decision as to whether they want their children to watch."

At the beginning of the month, 110 people complained to the public broadcaster over its treatment of a recent Ramadan storyline, while the latest child abuse plot involving Tony King (Chris Coghill) and Whitney Dean (Shone McGarty) sparked over 200.


Thoughts?

[JackBuddy]

Didn't Byker Grove have a gay storyline at one point lol? I don't see why it's so bad or offensive really. The only reason being gay is frowned upon is because it isn't considered normal. A bit pathetic really. They can hardly use the children excuse, not with the present and past storylines the programme has had...

[Inseriousity.]

Eastenders are getting loads of complaints and for what?? Trying their best to make it as realistic as possible (thank God it's not really realistic. There's just no happiness in the place).

[Hazza]

Get over it imo!

[Meanies]

Hollyoaks had loads in with the craig/john paul thing so whys this so bad :S

[Samishlol]

The complaints are pathetic.

[RareIce]

yes i can see kids asking their parents alot of questions lol.
Eastenders is quite depressing sometimes.

[today]

What the **** has the planet came too, i mean c'mon. Get over yourselfs, it was a kiss. Big ******* whoopy doo.

[brandon]

These are the kind of people who complain at anything and 145 people is nothing really.

[Loser]

******* Christians...

[GommeInc]

I shall crack open my small violin case and play the moaners a wee ditty.

This is totally rediculous, do these people not leave their homes? Didn't Eastenders also get aload of complaints about the paedo and Bianca's daughter kissing?

[Samishlol]

Because they have children and that.

[GommeInc]

Can't the parents just tell them they're gay and it's perfectly acceptable? They could even chuck in the "If you want to raise a family, you have to love a girl" line, although "family" could mean a gay couple and partnerships, depends how you look at the word family. Would seeing a gay kiss even effect a child? I can't see it happening, especially when over 90% of children who watch/play GTA aren't killers.

[Slowpoke]

I can't see it happening, especially when over 90% of children who watch/play GTA aren't killers.

I would hope that that percentage is much higher to be honest! :(

[GommeInc]

I would hope that that percentage is much higher to be honest! :(
Be glad I slipped the word "over" in when I edited it :P

[Hazza]

What I don't understand is, its fine for them to show cheating, violence, etc. But not a little gay kiss?

Its the real world? I'm sure many kids asked why Stacey was kissing Bradley's daddy. :/

[Samishlol]

I think they need to stop complaining

[Freeza101]

There was no need for the Kiss though.

[Technologic]

this is just stupid

[Axel]

'Setting a bad example'

How so? Being gay isn't bad, and children won't be influenced to be gay because they saw a gay kiss on the TV.

[Samishlol]

There was no need for the Kiss though.It's part of the story line you plank.

[Sammeth.]

"My seven year old son now thinks he is gay because he kisses his dad".

Lol'd at that bit tbh. Very pointless to complain about it. But you know, such is life. I thought the United Kingdom was liberal when it came to matters like this... :S

[Samishlol]

Well isn't is the most watched soap at the moment?

[Earthquake]

I take it all those who have had complained about this storyline obviously haven't girlfriends, either that or a bad sex life.

[Fehm]

OH GET OVER IT LOOOOL

[Tristan]

Writing on the Points Of View message board, one viewer said: "I am appalled by the display of homosexual kissing before the watershed shown on EastEnders. This is disgraceful whilst young children are watching and sets the wrong example."
What a stupid homophobic prat.

[Excellent2]

I can see where they are coming from, it's not right. They would also complain if there was lesbians kissing in there too so please all you gay's don't start a parade.

[Samishlol]

Oh come on? So what if two guys kiss? It's not the end of the world. It's part of the story line.

[Excellent2]

Young kids watch the show, they're not used to two men kissing sir.

[Samishlol]

Apperently they reckon the 10pm repeat is the best time to show it now as some parents let their children watch it.

To be perfectly honest i am sure over half the people who watch it are fine with it

[Glen Coco]

That's rather funny.
My dad's abit like that except he wouldn't go and complain to BBC.
He just goes URGHHH.

[Virgin Mary]

Young kids watch the show, they're not used to two men kissing sir.
I doubt they're used to a lot of things in Eastenders seeing as it dramatises the more depressing aspects of life.

[Nereo]

Homophobes

[samsaBEAR]

I can see where they are coming from, it's not right. They would also complain if there was lesbians kissing in there too so please all you gay's don't start a parade.


Young kids watch the show, they're not used to two men kissing sir.

Well maybe they should wisen up. Homosexual couples are everywhere, and it's not right for parents to just say to children 'look, you HAVE to be with a girl'. Apparently children are going to start getting taught sex ed. soon, so a little gay kiss won't be much will it?
And that 'its not right' comment, what's not right about it? But you know, as well as I do, that if it was a lesbian couple, all the guys would have no problems whatsoever with it. Just because it's a a gay guy couple, it's all OMG GAY *REMOVED* OF MY TV.
It's pathetic.

Edited by MattGarner (Forum Super Moderator): Please do not avoid the filter.

[EverSteve]

o ** this.

How many times did John Paul have gay boyfriends and snog or get seen in bed with another lad at half past 6.

so **** Eastenders Viewers.

[today]

Good old Nannies! Always moaning.

[Hayd93]

You will be surpized that complaints like this are usual. I know for a fact emerdale is reported quite oftem to ofcom for sex/nudity. So really this is the same as most complaints.

If you have a look on ofcom you will be able to see all the complints ect and what they have done about them and if the broadcaster has co operated ect.

[Moh]

Yet if it was two women kissing, it would be fine.

[Samishlol]

I just think they need to stop complaining personally.

[Sammeth.]

125 people out the 6/7/8/9 million people that watch it isn't really that much if you think about it.

[Samishlol]

They shouldn't let their kids watch it.

But the 10pm showing of Eastenders has been getting more viewers as there watching it no late at night

[Foals]

It made me sick. Shouldn't be legal, let alone broadcast on TV. Disgusting.

[Moh]

Writing on the Points Of View message board, one viewer said: "I am appalled by the display of homosexual kissing before the watershed shown on EastEnders. This is disgraceful whilst young children are watching and sets the wrong example."
What a stupid homophobic prat.
Yes, and nothing else on the show could set the wrong example :rolleyes:

[Samishlol]

It made me sick. Shouldn't be legal, let alone broadcast on TV. Disgusting.Oh give it arrest you homophobic idiot

Edited by Bomb-Head (Assistant General Manager): Please don't be rude.

[Moh]

It made me sick. Shouldn't be legal, let alone broadcast on TV. Disgusting.
go get laid

[Foals]

Oh give it arrest you homophobic idiot
*removed*

Edited by Hayd93 (Forum Super Moderator): Please do not be rude.

[Samishlol]

No I won't.

[Excellent2]

Well maybe they should wisen up. Homosexual couples are everywhere, and it's not right for parents to just say to children 'look, you HAVE to be with a girl'. Apparently children are going to start getting taught sex ed. soon, so a little gay kiss won't be much will it?
And that 'its not right' comment, what's not right about it? But you know, as well as I do, that if it was a lesbian couple, all the guys would have no problems whatsoever with it. Just because it's a a gay guy couple, it's all OMG GAY GTFO OF MY TV.
It's pathetic.Okay so if you grew up and had kids, you'd want to hear your son say to you "I can't kiss you because I'll be a gay"? If so I pity you.

[Moh]

Okay so if you grew up and had kids, you'd want to hear your son say to you "I can't kiss you because I'll be a gay"? If so I pity you.
And if your a good parent, you wouldn't let them watch soaps.

[Samishlol]

They should be allowed to watch them, but their parents should explain that it's acceptable to do it. It doesn't mean your gay bu kissing your own dad

[luce]

It didn't bother me watchin it, but i can see why some people might not want to see it :)

[Virgin Mary]

Okay so if you grew up and had kids, you'd want to hear your son say to you "I can't kiss you because I'll be a gay"? If so I pity you.
They'd have to make the association that being gay is a bad thing if they thought they couldn't do it. If they didn't know what being gay was they wouldn't make a connection between 2 men kissing. I pity anyone who raises their child to be homophobic.

[stickwitu]

the older generation need to realise that society has changed.
you can be open all you want now and no one gives a ****.

[Excellent2]

So we shouldn't let our kids watch a TV programme which is usually dignified just because they won't delete the scene of the gay men kissing?

[Crimson]

lawl. The first of this is worse imo... and seriously, it's pretty pathetic for people who moan about this.


http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PIMYDIHrFUI&feature=related

[kuzkasate]

If they dont make it realist they will yet agian recieve complaints. And as for the kids, then if there paents dont wanna show them that sort of stuff they may aswell sell the TV because every modern programme has some gay/lesbian things in it.

[Alkaz]

Its not that bad, its society now. Also I read about the phaedophile line, I think its good that they are doing it, it gets through to people that other ways might not and people are complaining. Things like that open our eyes to it.

[Hayd93]

125 people out the 6/7/8/9 million people that watch it isn't really that much if you think about it.
125 complaints is accually quite a few. May not sound many but you think of the target audiance and how many of them people would know who to complain to and were ect.

We will just have to wait till the next regulators broadcast bullitin and see if there is anything in there about it or if the case is still on going. BBC should co operate with regulator and let them have tapes of the incident ect.

As far as i can see the last thing Eastenders got quite a few complaints about was when tanya burried max alive. It recived 116 complaints to the regulator again saying it was unsuitible for the time of broadcast. The BBC also recived 600 complaints of its own on this case this again showing how many people know who to accually complain to. In the end the case bbc did not get fined ect and just got warned by the regulator. The reason was because the subject was sutible for before watershed just not how they had filmed/edited it ect.

[Bef]

Some people are just pathetic. Its the real world. Men snog! If u dont like it then look away but personally i dont see any difference between a man and a man smooching in public and a women and man smooching!!
And the women who said that her son asked if he was gay because he kissed his dad - well if a dad is full on smooching his son the way they were kissing on tv then id be seriously worried.

[Naythi.]

So if it was straight kissing before the water-shed that would be fine. Real pathetic.