The Paradox

Ethnic minorities have been under-represented on television for decades but results from a recent survey at the Centre for Law, Justice and Journalism at City University London show a positive change in that both the BBC and Sky One “accurately represent the ratio of white people to ethnic minorities in England and Wales in their programming” (City University London, 2014). As is highlighted in the report, much is yet to be done before we can claim equality and Lenny Henry’s call for more ethnic diversity within television reinforces this fact.

Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

The issue of gay representation is harder to compile into quantifiable data though as it is often not visible and this is where the paradox lies. While there is a need to increase the visibility of homosexuality and to create a space in which people can discuss and talk about gay issues openly and publicly, the ultimate goal is invisibility - but not the same kind of invisibility that encourages fear and perpetuates stereotyping. Instead, an invisibility that involves sexuality not being the defining factor of a characters personality. An invisibility that doesn’t involve the endless internal struggle and reductionist portrayal of gay characters or dramas being labeled as ‘gay/ or lesbian’ as a genre on Netflix and 4oD - which, incidentally, can be hidden by selecting ‘Never for Gay or Lesbian’ in the user Taste Preferences menu. Is this freedom of choice or ‘taste’ not actually doing more harm than good? Yes, it is important to acknowledge that homosexuality is a minority and isn’t going to feature in every show made but there are still deep seated prejudices within society that need to be challenged.

Coronation Coronation Street Characters Todd and Marcus share a kiss which went on to become the 5th most complained about TV show of 2014 (BBC, 2014)

It has been 14 years since Queer as Folk was commissioned and it is only next year that will will receive writer Russell T Davis’ latest series Cucumber, Banana and Tofu. Of course there have been shows tackling gay rights issues in the meantime such as Our Gay Wedding: The Musical (Channel 4, 2014) and Christopher and His Kind (BBC, 2011) but shows that don't play up to stereotypes are few and far between. As much as Channel 4 are herald for their risk-taking nature and as much as they claim to be the channel that challenges current issues of representation (Channel 4, 2013) they are just as guilty of sidelining the gay community as other PSB networks such as the BBC, which are traditionally more conservative due to increased pressure on them to attract and appeal to a large audience share of various ages and political stand-points. Must the LGB audience wait 14 years between programmes that feature gay central characters? It could be argued that the ability to access Queer as Folk online through 4OD has in some way hindered the commissioning of further shows with gay protagonists and it's success might have let to an 'it's already been done' effect but in order to address these issues we have to look deeper than simply recording levels of representation but to the way in which these representations are offered and accessed.

In saying this though the establishment of the Silvermouse monitoring system will help to monitor issues of ethnicity, disability, gender, age and sexuality and while this will be a positive step forward I would question how "unconscious" this bias that David Abraham, the Channel 4 Chief Executive in his recent McTaggart lecture referred to it by (48:17):

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Bibliography:
City University London. (2014). New survey reveals level of ethnic minority representation on TV. August 21 2014. [Online]. Available at: http://www.city.ac.uk/news/2014/aug/new-survey-reveals-level-of-ethnic-minority-representation-on-tv. [Accessed 20/12/2014].

Deans, J. Idris Elba, Lenny Henry among stars urging more TV ethnic diversity cash. The Guardian. August 19 2014. [Online]. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/aug/19/idris-elba-lenny-henry-stars-ethnic-diversity-cash-television-bame. [Accessed 18/12/14]

Channel Four. (2013). Channel Four Television Corporation Report and Financial Statements 2013. Available at: http://annualreport.channel4.com/downloads/C4_AR_2013_LR_SMCP.pdf. [Accessed 17/12/14].

Campbell, L. (2014). Diversity monitoring service will show broadcasters if they are hitting targets. [Online]. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/media/media-blog/2014/jan/30/diversity-monitoring-service-broadcasters.