TV Pick For Tonight: Jeanette Winterson: My Monster and Me

Jeanette Winterson's Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is a revealing and award-winning novel which was adapted into a ground-breaking TV drama in 1990. Despite having similarities to her own childhood, Jeanette claims the book is not a lesbian novel nor an autobiographical account. Whatever her intentions, Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit has certainly made an important and unique contribution to both the literary world and television drama.

The central story follows a young girl, Jeanette, as she struggles with life with an overbearing and very religious mother. Jeanette is outcast at school and finds her evangelical life difficult to cope with, especially after her feelings for her friend Melanie are discovered by her mother and religious community.  As those around her attempt to 'save' her from what they regard as sinful behaviour, Jeanette cannot hide her same-sex desires. 

Tonight, the BBC arts series Imagine discovers the real story behind author Jeanette Winterson's childhood. Nearly thirty years after her triumphant debut novel, Oranges are Not the Only Fruit, Jeanette returns with Alan Yentob to the scenes of her extraordinary childhood in Lancashire. The documentary reveals how Jeanette was adopted and brought up to be a missionary by the larger-than-life Mrs Winterson, but instead followed a different path: she found literature, fell in love with a girl, and escaped to university. Following her recent memoir Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal, Jeanette Winterson tells the story of her recent breakdown and suicide attempt, her quest to find her birth mother and how the power of books helped her to survive.

Imagine: Jeanette Winterson: My Monster and Me airs tonight at 10:35pm on BBC1.

Image Credit: BBC

Gay Parenting Viral Film Tackles Inequality Throughout Europe

London, UK - Imagine if your family wasn’t legally recognised in the majority of Europe.

That’s the shocking scenario examined in a new online short film, which is the first of its kind to use Facebook and Twitter to raise awareness of the alarming inequalities facing gay parents throughout Europe.

Launched 5 November 2012 for the UK’s National Adoption Week, it is a joint project from online organisation All Out and producer Mike Buonaiuto, the award-winning director of the ‘Homecoming’ equal marriage video commissioned by the Coalition for Equal Marriage. The film is also supported by Michael Cashman MEP.

The #InvisibleParents film shows a daughter’s happy memories with her two dads before asking the question: Why isn’t their family legally recognised in the majority of Europe?

"EU member states pride themselves on integration, but their governments still fail to resolve the legal hurdles keeping same-sex families from full recognition across borders," says Andre Banks, Executive Director of All Out, a global movement fighting for LGBT equality. All Out is running an online campaign alongside the film, calling on the European Commission to address the situation. http://www.allout.org/invisibleparents

Michael Cashman said, “Gay and lesbian parents can often find themselves legally invisible in a large percentage of the continent, putting their entire family in a very vulnerable situation especially with regard to healthcare, holidays or family legal systems.

“The #InvisibleParents film argues that all children should be treated with legal equality regardless of the sexual orientation of their parents. It is a brilliant way to allow people to connect with these very real issues and then do something about it,” Cashman said.

The #InvisibleParents project is supported by other organisations such as ILGA-EUROPE, NELFA and BAAF. They are available to offer advice to anyone watching the film seeking support.

Please get behind the project by sharing it with your friends, visit www.invisibleparents.eu and hashtag #InvisibleParents.

UK filmmaker Mike Buonaiuto has produced many short films for international brands and organisations, several to critical acclaim. For more information check out www.MikeB.co.nr or say hello on Twitter @Videographer88.

Sue Perkins to Star in New Self-Penned Comedy Series

I often get excited whenever I hear news of a glimpse of lesbian representation on TV but the idea of a comedy written by and starring Sue Perkins is like Christmas has come early!

The Great British Bake-Off host will be taking the lead role in her new comedy Heading Out, with six 30 minute episodes planned. Sue stars as Sara – a veterinarian so skilled she can spay a tortoise one-handed. She’s successful, she’s popular – there’s just one chink in her armour – she’s too scared to tell her parents she’s gay.

On the evening of her 40th birthday, Sara’s friends give her an ultimatum: either she tells her parents when they come to visit in six weeks’ time, or they will. To help Sara achieve this goal, they’ve saved up to buy a series of sessions with Toria, the eccentric and mildly-qualified lifestyle coach / therapist, and so the countdown begins...

Coming out is never an easy process for anyone so I wholeheartedly welcome a Sue Perkins comedic touch on what is often a very unsettling time for many gay and bisexual people.

Heading Out starts production in September and is due to be broadcast next year on BBC Two. The supporting cast includes Jo Scanlon, Nicola Walker, Dominic Coleman and Dawn French .

Speaking of the show, Sue Perkins told the BBC: “I think once the gnawing terror, sleepless nights and relentless self-doubt has subsided, this might well be the thing that I’m most proud of. It’s been a joy to work on, and I hope that joy proves to be infectious.” I'm sure it will, Sue, in fact the joy has already started in my house!

TV Pick for Tonight: Accused

Jimmy McGovern's award-winning series Accused returns for a second series. Each episode follows a different person's story as they await the verdict of their trial.

The new series begins with Tracie's Story as English teacher Simon's secret life as transvestite Tracie Tremarco is exposed.  

Simon Gaskell (Sean Bean) is a college English teacher who specialises in poetry. What his students don't know is that his alter ego is a transvestite called Tracie Tremarco, who is lonely and looking for love. Manchester's bars dressed up to the nines has not produced a lasting or truly fulfilling relationship however.

Then as fate would have it, Tracie falls head over heels in love in unexpected circumstances, following an altercation with some blokes out on a stag night. One of the stag revellers, Tony (Stephen Graham), a satellite and aerial engineer, comes to Tracie’s aid and offers her a lift home.

Tony and Tracie soon become smitten with each other and hesitatingly their love affair begins. But Tony has a secret too - he’s married to a local beautician, Karen (Rachel Leskovac), and he cares deeply for his wife. Before long, Tracie becomes entangled in a triangular love affair that leads inexorably to a terrible crime of passion and the dock...


Accused begins tonight on BBC1 at 9pm

Image Credit: BBC/RSJ Films

Lesbian Action with Billie Piper!

This Sunday sees the beginning of a new improvised drama series True Love, by the award-winning writer and director Dominic Savage. Five stories explore modern day love through a series of overlapping dramas. Each story is led by a lead actor, including David Tennant, Billie Piper, Jane Horrocks, Ashley Walters and David Morrissey, and asks the audience what they would do in the characters' situations.

Tuesday's story  follows a young unfulfilled teacher, Holly, (played by Billie Piper) who is in an unsatisfactory relationship with a married man and suddenly finds herself drawn to one of her female pupils. When the feeling proves to be mutual, Holly is left with a decision to make...Can she hold back her feelings for her student or is their love too powerful?

Storyline sound familiar? It's no secret that the student/teacher relationship has been done over and over again with straight, gay and bisexual couples, but we all love the drama it creates, don't we?! Bloomington and Loving Annabelle are two of my favourite lesbian films which both see a female teacher giving in to her feelings for her female pupil. The films have different endings, but the students surprisingly seem to be in control of both of the teacher/pupil relationships. Is this because they have less to lose or is first-time love the hardest to resist?

Bloomington (2010)

Loving Annabelle (2006)

You'll have to wait until Tuesday 19th June to find out what Billie Piper's character does when faced with the love of a pupil...

True Love begins on Sunday 17th June on BBC1 at 10:35pm


Image credit: BBC/Working Title

Glee for Unconventional Families!

From Santana and Brittney's cute relationship, to Kirk and Blaine's flourishing romance, and the recent addition of cross-dresser Unique, I love Ryan Murphy just for how much he has pushed the boundaries with Glee. Now that the majority of the main characters are graduating in the final episode of Thursday ;-(, I don't know how successful any future series will be but I have every faith that Mr Murphy will continue to represent the under-represented and show just how 'normal' LGBT are. 

Ryan Murphy is currently busy with his new comedy series 'The New Normal' which is due to air on American network channel NBC in the Autumn. Co-written by Allison Alder (Sara Gilbert's former partner), The New Normal centres on a gay couple as try to start a family. The comedy stars Andrew Rannells and Justin Bartha as Brian and David, and British actress Georgia King stars as surrogate mother, Goldie. 

Here's a sneak preview of the show which will hopefully arrive in the UK soon (fingers crossed!)

We can be heroes

Award winning young filmmaker Mike Buonaiuto has released a short film that he produced in support of the Coalition of Equal Marriage. The moving film shows British forces returning home to greet their loved ones, with the reunion of one soldier and his partner soon turning into a surprise marriage proposal. The film looks to tackle opposition to same-sex marriage head on, arguing if all have the right to serve in British military regardless of sexuality, then all should be able celebrate their love and commitment with civil marriage, free from discrimination.

"One day I would like to marry my partner of almost 5 years," said Director Mike Buonaiuto. "And the celebration of our commitment should mean no more or less than any other straight couple. I made the film to promote change and also inspire others to use their creativity to support equality."

The Coalition For Equal Marriage is a grassroots campaign established by partners Conor Marron and James Lattimore. It has since grown into a strong group of individuals and organisations coming together to support the government's plans for greater equality.

The short film stars James Knight, from London’s West End (Mamma Mia,) and rising screen-star Lew Smart. Please support the project by sharing it with your friends, hashtag #equalmarriage and sign the Coalition For Equal Marriage petition.

The film captures just one moment in the lives of many; that moment when we know that we have found the person who we want to spend the rest of our lives with. Marriage should be celebrated and it should be a choice for all. As is shown in this film, love is love, regardless of sexuality.

Share the video, spread the Coalition For Equal Marriage's message, and let love be equal.

TV Pick for Tonight: I Woke Up Gay

Tonight's extraordinary documentary follows Chris Birch, a young lad from Wales, who claims that a stroke turned him gay.

At 21, Chris Birch was a typical, burly, rugby playing lad with a girlfriend and a job in a bank, but after a stroke everything changed. Today Chris looks different, sounds different and has a completely different life - he is a gay, image conscious hairdresser interested in fashion and interior decor.

It was a simple forward roll down a hill at a playing field that caused a freak accident which resulted in Chris suffering from an unexplained stroke. The stroke still continues to have an effect on his life as he finds changes occurring to his body and he must take medication to prevent another stroke from happening.

Chris has also suffered from severe memory loss; he cannot recall many of the details of his life before the stroke and lost touch with some former friends and family . During the documentary Chris attempts to get to grips with his new life and his new personality, whilst he tries to discover who he used to be and attempts to build bridges with some of the people he has lost touch with. What are the differences between 'old Chris' and 'new Chris' and could his stroke really have turned him gay? Chris' partner believes that his homosexuality was always a part of him but Chris is convinced that he has undergone a major personality transformation since his stroke and that has not only changed the person he used to be but his sexuality.

What is particularly sad is that it is not only Chris that is finding it hard to accept his 'new self'. Chris' mum used to take him to doctors' appointments after he had his accident but now he goes alone as they have grown apart. Chris remarks that maybe it is his new face that she doesn't like to look at.

Despite Chris' clear differences in personality and appearance, no one believes that a stroke turned him gay. When Chris' story broke, his claims were ridiculed as people insisted that he was born gay. Chris' school friend claims however that back in school, Chris 'looked the least gay' out of the boys. Hmmm nice try but there's no 'gay look' and some people are married for years to an opposite sex partner before they come out as gay...Is Chris really unique to medical science?

I Woke Up Gay will be aired tonight on BBC3 at 9pm.

Lip Service is back!!

Yes, the wait is finally over (well very nearly!). It seems like an age since the Lip Service girls were last on our screens, although I've definitely got my money's worth out of my series 1 DVD in the meantime! Tonight our favourite Lip Service girls return to our screens!!!!

Lip Service writer and creator Harriet Braun has described series two as being more edgy than the first:

'Although there will be as much comedy as ever, I think I would say Lip Service gets a lot darker this season.

'First time around, I looked at people at a pivotal age - late twenties or early thirties, trying to get what they want and avoiding making the same mistakes again. This time it’s about what happens when you get what you want and it isn’t quite what you expected…or you can’t have what you want.

'A lot of life is about how we deal with adversity, do you sink or do you swim? I guess I wanted to throw some emotional curve balls at the characters and see what they did with them.'

After a loved-up month on holiday in South America, Cat and Sam arrive back in Glasgow with a colossal bump as series two begins. Having run away from her relationship with first love Frankie, Cat knows she must now face the music.

Meanwhile, it looks like Tess finally has it all: her first proper acting role, a fabulous new flat and a gorgeous girlfriend. Landing one of the leading roles in a big theatre production should be a cause for celebration, but things don’t go quite to plan on her first day in the job.

Locking horns with self-obsessed co-star Nora, it’s clear Tess is going to have her work cut out, dealing with constant put-downs and snide comments. But new friendship and much needed support come in the shape of Hugo, a cynical but loveable actor.

Frankie and Tess are struggling with the rent for their new flat and go in search of a flatmate. Enter Lexy (pictured top, right) - a sexy, funny and straight-talking Australian doctor who instantly makes an impression on Tess. But she’s not the only one who reacts to Lexy’s arrival…

Also back for the new series is Frankie's former flame Sadie who Frankie decides to offload all of her troubles onto. Sadie, who is down on her luck, decides to deliver some home truths.

Lip Service series 2 begins tonight at 9pm on BBC3.

Image credit: BBC/Kudos/Tania Chalkin

TV Pick for Tonight: Mary's Bottom Line

Queen of the Shops, Mary Portas is on a crusade to bring clothes manufacturing back to the UK through the production of a key staple in any woman's wardrobe - knickers.

Yes, Mary wants us to embrace our behinds and invest in 100% British knickers. But first, she has to create a new brand that competes with the cheap underwear produced in the Far East. It's not going to be easy, but Mary believes consumers will pay more for clothes produced in the UK where they can be sure ethical that working conditions were met.

Mary beings her knickers crusade tonight in Middleton, near Manchester, where past generations saw a booming textual industry. These days however, the factories are closed and unemployment is rife. Mary sets out to change this by recruiting eight apprentices who she will train to run her own production line.

Can Mary succeed in producing 100% British knickers, find a retailer to stock them, and convince customers to buy them? Or is the whole idea a bit pants?

Mary's Bottom Line begins tonight at 9pm on Channel 4.

Heather Peace Joins the Cast of Waterloo Road!

Now in its seventh series, Waterloo Road has been one of my favourite dramas of all time since the show began in 2006. Popular with teens and adults alike, the contemporary drama follows the lives of staff and pupils at a challenging comprehensive school in Rochdale.

Over the years, the award-winning Waterloo Road has tackled hundreds of issues faced by teenagers today, from homophobic bullying, teenage pregnancy and knife crime, to death, divorce and under-age drinking.

The show is a brilliant mix of drama, compassion and humour, and it always leaves me excited for the next episode. What makes me even more excited for the next episode however, is that actress and musician Heather Peace will be joining the cast as English teacher Nicki Boston. Yes, she played a fire fighter in London's Burning (Sunday nights were never the same after that ended), currently plays a police officer in the drama series Lip Service, and now it's time for her to put on her angry face in an attempt to control some unruly teenagers!

In the upcoming episode, teacher Tom is tasked with overseeing the selection process for the new Head of English, as two candidates, Vanessa and Nicki, are quickly put to the test. Nicki's disciplinarian approach gets results, but Tom is unimpressed when she offers him some advice about his son Josh who has been taking drugs. Tom later decides that neither of the two candidates are suitable.

Don't worry though, this is not just a fleeting part for Heather Peace, as Tom later sees Nicki's excellence in action, apologises to her and offers her the role of Head of English. Hurrah!

Here's a little clip of the next episode of Waterloo Road which will be shown on Wednesday 7th March, BBC 1 at 8pm:

TV Pick of the Week: My Dad is a Woman

This Thursday, the new documentary My Dad is a Woman explores the emotional affects that can occur when the 'man of the house' transitions to a woman. Following two families, the documentary reveals the challenges faced by two transsexual women as they take life-changing steps that will not only affect their own lives but could impact greatly on their loved ones.

The two women featured in My Dad is a Woman Michelle and Jane, have both been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria medical condition where men or women feel their true gender is at odds with their physical body. Michelle had wanted to be a girl since she was six years old, but feared being bullied if she told anyone. So she tried to bury her feelings and get on with living her life as a boy. Michelle met her partner Julie when they were both teenagers and Michelle was known Michael. They have since been married for 26 years and have two sons.

Michelle tried to suppress her feelings for wanting to be a woman but they never went away. Three years ago, once her sons had grown up, she made the ultimate decision that she could finally leave her life as Michael behind and become Michelle.

Although Michelle's parents and her partner have provided brilliant support for her, transition is a huge undertaking and involves various stages which differ for individual transsexuals; whilst some people may just change their appearance and name, others embark on a lengthy process of taking hormones to encourage breast growth, speech therapy to feminise the voice and electrolysis to remove unwanted hair. Then there is the option of gender reassignment surgery to reconstruct areas of the body to become physically more female or male.

My Dad is a Woman also follows 53 year old Jane, who used to be known as John, She began living as a woman more than two years ago. Jane lives in Lincolnshire with her partner Andrea, Jane’s 17 year old daughter Tash, and Jane and Andrea’s six year old son Rafe.

Having a parent who is transitioning brings practical as well emotional challenges.

Jane’s daughter Tash explains the dilemmas she’s faced since her dad broke the news that he wanted to be a woman:

“It’s the last thing you’d think about your parent. For my dad to do it, who I’ve known as a man my whole life, who’s been wearing jeans and jumpers and not really ever showing to me any feminine habits, it was just really strange.

“I’d never suspected it, ever. I was just crying and all shocked. I didn’t tell anyone for about

four weeks. I didn’t realise but people ended up being quite worried about me."

17 year old Tash continues to explain how, despite the initial shock that her dad wanted to be a woman, she has come to realise that Jane is the same person:

I still call him a him, it’s not that can’t bring myself to say Jane, but…it’s Jane and my dad. Being a dad is a role not a gender. If I keep saying dad, it’s like yes, remember me, I’m here, this is your daughter.”

“I’ve always loved my dad, always have and always will. He’s still the person that looked after me when I was little and poorly. It is weird because dad is my dad, and mostly been a man until quite recently. Now he is Jane. It’s just I’ve got a dad that is a woman and there is a woman that is my dad.”

It is hugely encouraging to see documentaries such as this and My Transsexual Summer on TV. Documentaries like these not only raise awareness of the challenges faced by transsexuals, but they help reduce prejudice by showing viewers that the people featured in the programmes are not alien to the rest of us; they are just people like you and I and they just want to be happy like we do.

My Dad is a Woman airs on Thursday 1st March on ITV1 at 10:35pm.

The Vagina Monologues 2012

Last night I saw The Vagina Monologues at The Nuffield Theatre at Lancaster University. I had heard reviews of the production being 'funny', 'sad' and 'shocking', but I never imagined the monologues would have affected me so much emotionally and stuck with me.

The Vagina Monologues was written in 1996 after Eve Ensler conducted a series of interviews with women from all around the world about their thoughts and feelings of 'down there'. The results were staggering with Eve collecting a moving collection of honest stories, from comical encounters to truly harrowing experiences.

The Vagina Monologues have now been translated into 48 languages and performed in over 140 countries. Previous women to have been involved with re-creating The Vagina Monologues include Kate Winslet, Whoopi Goldberg and Sophie Daul. The cast last night at Lancaster University put their hearts and souls into the production. The women's stories were told through a thoughtful mix between the comical tales, from a list of sexual 'moanings' to vagina classes, and the truly awful accounts of abuse that some of the women interviewed had encountered, including stories from the Comfort Women of World War II and women who had experienced sexual abuse as a child.

At the end of the monologues a woman stood centre stage with her guitar and sang an extremely moving about a woman who was the victim of abuse as a child. At the end of the first chorus, the cast and audience members stood in solidity for the stories they had just heard and for all the women who continue to be treated badly around the world. As I stood there holding back my tears, I thought about how much so many of us take our privileged lives for granted. Why are so many women around the world still treated like objects and pieces of meat to be passed around and 'sampled' by men? Why do so many women live in fear for their lives? This should not be happening. It really should not be happening.

Out of The Vagina Monologues came V-Day. V-day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. V-day campaigns aim to raise awareness and funds for anti-violence groups across the world; last night's Vagina Monologues production that I saw was raising money for the Preston Safe Centre. V-Day also works to educate others and change social attitudes towards violence against women and girls.

The V-Day movement is growing at a rapid pace thanks to its thousands and thousands of supporters and people like you reading this blog to gain a better understanding of the experiences of others less fortunate than ourselves. This should not be happening. It really should not be happening

14th February 2013 will mark V-day's 15th anniversary. To find out more about V-Day, visit the V-Day website or their Facebook page. You can also find details of tour days of The Vagina Monologues here.

'It Does Get Better' Charity Single Available Now

On February 11th 2012 The L Project released their charity single "It Does Get Better" to raise awareness of LGBT bullying.

The single is performed by some of the UK's most talented lesbian musicians and ALL proceeds go to the charities Diversity Role Models and Stonewall to help combat LGBT bullying in schools.

You can buy the single now from iTunes, Amazon or any other good download sites. Don't forget to share the video with as many people as you can and together we can spread the message that it really does get better.

TV Pick for Tonight: San Francisco's Year Zero: We Were Here

2011 marked 30 years since the beginning of the AIDS crisis. In 1981, the flourishing gay community in San Franscisco was hit with an unimaginable disaster which led to not only increased homophobia and prejudice, but the death of loved ones at a terrifying rate.

Through the eyes of those whose lives changed in unimaginable ways, tonight's documentary San Francisco's Year Zero: We Were Here tells how the beloved city of San Francisco was transformed from a hotbed of sexual freedom and social experimentation into the epicentre of a terrible sexually transmitted disease which became known as the 'gay plague'.

Caregivers, activists, researchers, friends and lovers of suffers, as well as people who are currently living with AIDS themselves, share their intensely personal stories in a documentary which shows the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion and determination.

San Francisco's Year Zero: We Were Here airs tonight on BBC4 at 10pm.

#ITVChat: 'LGB in TV: Pride or Prejudice?' Part 2

Summary of #ITVChat: 'LGB in TV: Pride or Prejudice?' continued...

'Question 4: As an all-encompassing media, how can TV be more representative of your sexual orientation?'

@cardboardcakes 'instead of just representing, would be good to see fictional characters dealing real issues such as gay marriage'

This relates to my point that life experiences should be the priority rather than making a big deal about someone's sexual orientation.

@StonewallUK 'Surely one of the key issues with bi visibility is not representing it as a 'phase' in programming.'

@Andrew_Ellery 'ITV got it right in Emmerdale with 'Aaron' q'ing sexuality. Challenged all stereotypes and commitment in relationship'

@StonewallUK 'Really need to see more positive lesbian and bi representation.'

Definitely!

@tvnewswales replied to the above: 'Agreed. But in a rounded drama we also need to hear such issues raised -- and dealt with properly'

This is a fair point but there needs to be a balances between the 'issues raised' and ordinary life for LGB characters.

@StonewallUK 'And it's also important for gay people to not be seen simply in terms of 'issues' or as victims.'

@SaraHansonITV 'Its a debate that constantly goes on in drama -authenticity v's sensationalisation. Understanding the impact is key.'

Yes but the impact is different for heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual viewers - there is not one impact from a storyline.

@StonewallUK 'Again, we can point to Corrie, which showed Sean and Marcus simply as dads, not primarily gay men.'

@RainbowTweeters 'A greater emphasis on life experiences of LGBT characters is what we need.'

@Natalieread309 'tv should portray LGB to all viewers, not just special programs for LGB viewers. Sophie/Sian was a good example in corrie'

@AndyWasley (Stonewall Employee) gives the best quote ever! 'I recall Lear: The purpose of playing ... is to hold a mirror to life... '

'@tvnewswales 'Politics of presence' vital - the LGB community on screen whether sexuality relevant or not'

Exactly!

@Andrew_Ellery 'corrie is definitely ahead of the game'

@Andrew_Ellery 'lesbian couple in corrie was gd story. Such loving r/ship. Would b nice to of seen acceptance from family str8 away

The writers of Coronation Street are prime examples of being more representative of sexual orientation in an ordinary way rather than stereotyping or over-dramatising.

@teachingofsci 'perhaps try portraying bisexuals as ppl first, rather than greedy/indecisive/unfaithful/predatory?'

@tvnewswales replied: 'Couldn't agree more with the 'people not problems' approach'

@PatriciaRose: 'Really need to see more positive lesbian and bi representation.'

@RainbowTweeters 'A person's sexual orientation should not define them. It doesn't define heterosexuals so why us?'

@natatlieread309 'tv should have more LGB characters that have normal life's & not purely concentrate on the coming out and negative aspect!'

@SaraHansonITV replied: 'That's when soaps can play an important role. Not one-off stories but part of a long running character's identity'

@Andrew_Ellery 'we are all born with a 'sexuality'. Difference is we are all assumed straight. B gd to change that'

Totally agree! I would love to see this change happen!!

@AndrewBogg 'I can see why soaps have the drama but to represent true life there are many happy LGBT couples of all ages getting on with life'

Very good point! Drama should represent what they do to get on with life to show that LGBT couples aren't alien to heterosexual couples.

@RainbowTweeters 'Just seeing same-sex couples walk down the street holding hands will make a difference'

@southofkinross 'How about programmes showing lgb folk doing normal boring things (that arent stereotypically attached to sexuality'

@southofkinross also asked: 'should kids television have "lgb" people in it? Under 16 I mean !?'

@StonewallUK 'We believe age-appropriate portrayals of different families are important, given how many kids have gay parents. '

@Martin1Craig 'Under 16s are exactly the demographic that need gay people in their programming. That's when opinions are formed.'

@RainbowTweeters 'Yes kids television should show 'LGB people'. All under 16s need to see people they can relate to.'

'Q5 from @HuisVanDeSteak: Sexual orientation should only be a concern when sex is on the agenda, why should it have a bearing on my employability?'

@AndyWasley 'I wrote about this, sort of, in my @HuffPostUK article about football; open sportspeople perform better. http://t.co/dypocoPB..Same applies to other employees. Horrible to think that some people still feel pressured to stay in the closet.'

@SaraHansonITV 'Should definitely be about talent. But by knowing the workforce profile - progression, levels etc helps identify discrimination. '

@sharprc 'Since coming out in my place of work, I've felt more accepted and more amiable.'

@StonewallUK 'Sexuality shouldn't affect employability in a negative way. But more diversity helps orgs'

@lizzietammyking 'it shudn't have any bearing on work, although im quite open at work it didn't once cum up untill id been here a bit'

@Martin1CraigTotally agree with 'normalising' the gay thing in TV rather than all of this drama & intrigue. If only real life were so exciting.'

@OintonJohnp'I'm not camp/butch somewhere in between. I don't resent those who are at either end of that spectrum though it's called DIVERSITY'

@BisexualFTW 'I think butch women get under-represented in TV drama. I see way more femme characters.'

@jasonpbell 'sexuality should not define a person, it is the way that characters react, you can have a gay hero, but not because they're gay'

An extremely valuable point that should be noted from this discussion.

Q6. Does discrimination in entry level jobs make LGB people feel even more insecure jobwise? (from @eddydurnan)

@cardboardcakes 'The don't as part of the application. But it's often supplimentary to show they are equal opportunity employers'

@StonewallUK 'Yes, it can; it's important for new entrants to the job market to feel secure and valued from day one.'

@natalieread309 ' I think it more to do with the sector or perceived environment in general oppose to the level of the job.'

@tvnewswales 'I'd be astounded to hear of discrimination at entry level.ITV's big on increasing diversity'

@southofkinross ''How many lgb staff get "sly comments" when no-one else around. Very common in my opinion. Very much underreported'

Q7 Does the TV industry need to do more for anyone LGB to develop their careers?

@StonewallUK 'Important for LGB people to know they can aspire to every level of management within any organisation.'

@tvnewswales 't's vital to have diversity at all levels to improve the decision making of a co in a diverse world '

You can view the complete #ITVchat conversation from yesterday's discussion here.

#ITVChat: 'LGB in TV: Pride or Prejudice?' Part 1

There was a great discussion yesterday on Twitter initiated by ITV Studios (@moveonup2ITV)
about LGB equality in the TV industry. This is an area which I am passionate about and it was a fantastic opportunity for me to get my points across and to find out what others thought about the subject.

If you missed the #ITVchat discussing 'LGB in TV: Pride or Prejudice?', here's a summary of the main points I picked up, the comments in italics are my own thoughts:

Q1. The media industry is considered 'gay friendly' – should companies do more to test this theory?

Head of Corporate Responsibility for ITV, Sara Henson (@SaraHansonITV), agreed, stating that 'without basic information and a workforce profile how do you know how representative you are?'

The LGB Charity Stonwall (@stonewallUK) pointed out that ITV are in fact the only broadcaster to make it through into their Workplace Equality Index

This is surprising given that Channel 4 has produced a range of programmes in relation to LGB issues and has incorporated more LGB characters than ITV.

Comms Manager at ITV, Stephen Barber (@DameStephen) noted that 'A ‘perception’ of a gay friendly industry is just that – a perception, it may not be the reality.

Andy Collinson, Editor, Multimedia news team (@tvnewswales) replied 'Big learning curve for us when we realised we didn't have a lot of objective info about ITV's LGB community'

Stonewall then referred to their excellent report entitled 'Unseen on Screen' (2010) which shows just how under-represented LGB people are on TV. If you've not seen this report, you really should check it out.

@cardboardcakes made a good point here that 'It's not just about representation but looking at having lessnegaitvie conotations used in tv too like'thats so gay'

As harmless as 'that's so gay' may sound, we all know how quickly that phrase is transferred onto the playground and negatively impacts on children. It's pointless terminology and needs to be eradicated.

Q2. Should being overtly proud of being LGB make any difference to how people react to you?

@cardboardcakes makes another very good point here: 'Completely agree. It's really important for young people in particular to see positive role models on TV.'

This is an area which I am particularly dedicated to. Growing up without seeing people you can relate to on TV should not be an option today; it's important for self-esteem and will help us move towards equality in society.

@James_Findlay replies in answer to question two 'no it shouldnt but I think it does. If someone is quiet about being LGB, then there's no chance of "offending people"'

This is a very good point. I think a lot of people, myself included, are afraid of coming out because of just that, 'offending people'. It is the reasons why LGB is seen as 'offensive' that urgently need to be addressed. The work that various charities are carrying out in school is a good example of this.

@StonewallUK: 'Everyone should be afforded equal respect, whatever their sexual orientation. This makes it all the more important that ... there are positive LGB role models on TV who are unashamed of who they are.'

@perimint69 you also need to get rid of the image of 'gay' as being effeminate not all gay blokes are like that

@SaraHansonITV 'Amazing the impact positive role models can have on TV. I see the duty logs and the awareness and debate story lines generate.'

The Sean and Marcus and Sophie and Sian Coronation Street storylines are a perfect example of the above.

Q3. Does onscreen perception around LGB impact behind the cameras

Hmmm did this question really need to be asked??? Of course it does!

@tvnewswales: 'as a broadcaster, we have to get it right -- or risk losing our audiences and that's how we pay the bills'

I'm not sure if the above is aimed at all viewers or heterosexual viewers...Remember that disgusting Brian Sewell article in the Daily Mail about Corrie's gay characters 'flooding' the street?

@Andrew_Ellery 'should our ever sexuality form the basis of whether people react positively or not. Sadly ignorance exists'

A very good point which shows why the TV industry needs to contribute to breaking down ignorance.

@rlxb123 'tv programmes make being #lgb an issue. When surely it should be dealt with like any other relationship story line!'

I can't stress the above enough!

@DameStephen Our perceptions are shaped by the society we live in. Everyone's influenced by what they read, hear, and watch...so it's inevitable that those behind the cameras will be affected by what they watch on screen.'

Well said!

@StonewallUK: 'All media have an influence on people's points of view, so it's really important for LGB issues to be covered accurately.'

@RainbowTweeters: 'The Corrie Sophie/Sian storyline was a great exception & dealt more with their love than coming out.'

@SaraHansonITV replied to this: 'This is the approach we are trying to take with all areas of equality in drama. Authentic character interaction.'

More questions to follow...