Premium Content:

BBC commit to more LGBTI+ characters in new diversity reforms

British national broadcaster BBC have revealed they will ensure more LGBTI+ characters are represented on their channel as part of new diversity reforms.

- Advertisement -

The announcement comes after a recent internal survey of 300 LGBTI staff, which found that many employees considered the broadcaster to be promoting ‘heteronormative culture.’

The survey also revealed that 11% of BBC employees identified as members of the LGBTI+ community, slightly increasing to 12% among senior staff according to The Telegraph.

BBC’s director of radio and education James Purnell said one of the broadcaster’s major challenges is reaching younger audiences.

“In a recent YouGov survey only 51% of 18 to 24-year-olds said they identified as completely heterosexual,” Purnell said.

“An organisation that appears to have a heteronormative culture is not one that is going to cut ice with them either as a consumer or an employee. We’re aiming to create the most open, inclusive culture we can.”

Other recommendations that came from the survey included adopted non-binary language, more support for transgender and gender diverse staff and adopting the acronym “LGBTQ” or “LGBTQ+”.

In 2016, Screen Australia released the Seeing Ourselves report, which showed just 5% of characters on Australian television were LGBTIQ+. Between 2011 and 2015, 27% of programs featured at least one queer characters, with men appearing thrice as much as women. There were only two transgender characters in Australian-made dramas, and no intersex characters.

Latest

The City plates up a showcase of Perth’s unique dining scene  

This august explore the best of Perth's food scene.

‘The Gospel According to Paul’ shines a light on Australia’s memorable PM

Actor Jonathan Biggins chats about his acclaimed one-man show.

On This Gay Day | Remembering gay rights activist Stephen Donaldson

Stephen Donaldson died on this day in 1996. He was a leader in gay rights, recognition of bisexuality, and prison reform.

‘O,D,E’ presents a queer, occult retelling of the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice

The Blue Room Theatre and Tone List are collaborating to bring audiences an experimental opera by composer, singer and poet Sage J Harlow.

Newsletter

Don't miss

The City plates up a showcase of Perth’s unique dining scene  

This august explore the best of Perth's food scene.

‘The Gospel According to Paul’ shines a light on Australia’s memorable PM

Actor Jonathan Biggins chats about his acclaimed one-man show.

On This Gay Day | Remembering gay rights activist Stephen Donaldson

Stephen Donaldson died on this day in 1996. He was a leader in gay rights, recognition of bisexuality, and prison reform.

‘O,D,E’ presents a queer, occult retelling of the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice

The Blue Room Theatre and Tone List are collaborating to bring audiences an experimental opera by composer, singer and poet Sage J Harlow.

Foster and family carers offered free zoo and museum passes

Foster and Family Carers Week celebrations is held from Monday, 28 July to Sunday, 3 August.

The City plates up a showcase of Perth’s unique dining scene  

This august explore the best of Perth's food scene.

‘The Gospel According to Paul’ shines a light on Australia’s memorable PM

Actor Jonathan Biggins chats about his acclaimed one-man show.

On This Gay Day | Remembering gay rights activist Stephen Donaldson

Stephen Donaldson died on this day in 1996. He was a leader in gay rights, recognition of bisexuality, and prison reform.