CBBC UK is thought to have received more than 100 complaints about its airing in July of a show that featured a kiss between two teenage girls.
The Next Step is a Canadian mockumentary-style teen drama following the lives of young professional dancers. In the controversial episode, friends Jude (Molly Sanders) and Cleo (Dani Verago) perform a duet, realise they have developed feelings for one another, and their dance routine ends with a kiss.
Although the scene sparked complaints, it was also praised by the LGBTQ+ community and allies, with twitter users saying ‘CBBC just did that’. CBBC has also responded by saying the storyline was developed following a realisation that ‘the series should do more to reflect the lives of young LGBTQ+ people. This is an important part of our mission to make sure every child feels like they belong, that they are safe, and that they can be who they want to be’.
It added: ‘CBBC regularly portrays heterosexual young people dating, and it is an important way of showing children what a respectful, kind and loving relationship looks like.’ Twitter has haile CBBC’s statement as ‘A+’ with the hashtag #thankyoucbbc circulating on the site. Same-sex relationships have also been featured on other CBBC shows such as Jamie Johnson and 4 O’clock Club, with Byker Grove being the first show on the channel to feature a same-sex kiss.
Eloise Stonborough, head of policy and research at Stonewall, told Metro news that this episode of The Next Step is an ‘exciting moment’ for LGBTQ+ representation, and said ‘it is important for everyone to be able to see themselves in mainstream media and to know they have a place in society’.
You must be logged in to post a comment.