CBBC sticks up for its first lesbian kiss scene

CBBC said airing its first lesbian kiss showed children “that they can be who they want to be”, after it received complaints.

The BBC children’s network, which is targeted towards six to 12-year-olds, was praised by LGBT organisations for airing an episode of Canadian mockumentary drama The Next Step, in which female characters Cleo and Jude share a kiss. But a number of complaints, arguing that the storyline was not appropriate for a younger audience, were made to the public service broadcaster.

In response, the BBC said it was important to ensure all children were properly represented on its channels.

The decision to broadcast the scene was “taken very carefully and with much consideration” by the BBC and production company Boatrocker, it said. Both parties determined that the show could do more to “reflect the lives of LGBT+ young people”, it added.

Responding specifically to the objections about the “same-sex kiss”, the broadcaster said in a statement: “This is an important part of our mission to make sure that every child feels like they belong, that they are safe, and that they can be who they want to be.

“We believe that the storyline, and the kiss, was handled with sensitivity and without sensationalism, following as it did the portrayal of Jude and Cleo’s developing relationship and I am afraid we do not agree that it was inappropriate for the audience age. CBBC regularly portrays heterosexual young people dating, falling in love and kissing, and it is an important way of showing children what respectful, kind and loving relationships look like.”

The BBC also pointed out that the first time a same-sex kiss was shown in one of its children’s series was between characters Noddy and Gary in Byker Grove “many years ago” in 1994.

In reference to more recent programmes, the statement added: “Samesex relationships have already featured in other CBBC shows such as Jamie Johnson, 4 O’clock Club, Dixi and Marrying Mum and Dad.”

Despite attracting some criticism, the episode has also been widely applauded on social media for increasing LGBT representation on the major broadcasters.

“Jude and Cleo’s kiss on CBBC’S teen drama The Next Step is an exciting moment for LGBT representation,” Eloise Stonborough, head of policy and research at Stonewall, told Metro.

“It is important for everyone to be able to see themselves in mainstream media and to know they have a place in society.”