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The BBC will introduce more LGBT characters in its programming and encourage staff to use \u201cnon-binary\u201d pronouns, in an effort to combat \u201cheteronormative\u201d culture which has \u201cbaffled\u201d many (gay and straight) on social media.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s all part of a new set of \u201cdiversity\u201d<\/em> reforms at the public broadcaster. The new portrayals of LGBT characters will be \u201cincidental\u201d<\/em> \u2014 which means that their sexuality will not be the focus of the storyline or news item.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s not just an on-screen effort. Off-air, LGBT staff will be encouraged to \u201cbring their whole self to work\u201d<\/em> and be open about their sexuality with their co-workers \u2014 something which sounded a bit \u201ccreepy\u201d<\/em> and weird to some who reacted to the news on Twitter. Others found it contradictory that sexuality would be \u201cincidental\u201d<\/em> on-air, but something to be discussed at work off-air.<\/p>\n BBC staff have been told to use non- binary pronouns and heterosexual emplyees are to wear pro-LGBTQ-bagdes to ensure that the corporation does not develop a \u201cheteronormative culture\u201d. Since when does companies ask employees about their sexuality? Creepy.<\/p>\n \u2014 Kari A. Jaquesson (@KariJaquesson) October 13, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Slight contradiction between @bbc<\/a>‘s new supposedly LGBT-friendly “bring your whole self to work” (#hokeycokey<\/a>) policy and their “let’s not stereotype gay people” warning. Apart from sexual extroverts, who wants to display their sexuality in the workplace? https:\/\/t.co\/PwjFh028D3<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Neil Thin (@NeilThin) October 14, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Off-screen and off-air, LGBT staff will be encouraged to “bring their whole self to work” and be open about their sexuality. – Sexuality is a private thing. https:\/\/t.co\/PPgBYptIjG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Matt (@matthewtoomer) October 12, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n The BBC wants its straight staff to wear a badge that identifies them as straight and allies of the LGBTIQ community. I suppose they\u2019ll have to wear badges with their religion on it, next. Where will this madness end? https:\/\/t.co\/6WyRX2DH9J<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Caleb Bond (@TheCalebBond) October 14, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n It has also been recommended that staff should get used to using \u201cnon-binary\u201d<\/em> pronouns where appropriate so as not to offend gender-fluid or transgender employees by mistake. This involves using the terms \u201cthem\u201d <\/em>and \u201cthey\u201d<\/em> instead of \u201che\u201d<\/em> and \u201cshe\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n Non-LGBT staff will even be asked to wear badges labelling themselves as \u201cstraight allies\u201d<\/em> or to use special email signatures declaring their status.<\/p>\n One LGBT Twitter user said the prospect of a co-worker approaching him wearing a \u201cstraight ally\u201d<\/em> badge sounded \u201cabsurdly patronising\u201d<\/em> and not very helpful.<\/p>\n This sounds absurdly patronising and unhelpful. If some guy with a ‘straight ally’ badge came up to me and said they were here to advance my interests, I’d politely tell them to fuck off https:\/\/t.co\/jDcgVZdCXt<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Edd (@Edwardpbains) October 14, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n The recommendations have been made after a survey of LGBT staff attitudes, which found that some perceived the broadcaster to have too much of a \u201cheteronormative\u201d<\/em> culture. LGBT staff, however, account for only 11 percent of the total workforce at the BBC and 12 percent of staff in senior positions.<\/p>\n I couldn’t give a monkey’s whether people are gay or not and believe in equal rights etc but only 2% of the population is gay (according the the Guardian) so why is the BBC getting its knickers in a twist? https:\/\/t.co\/5rMOiJHdkZ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Matt 😎🌵🐝 (@Speedy_Matt_) October 13, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Must be the first \u2018heteronormative culture\u2019 I\u2019ve heard of where just 11% of employees – who happen to be LGBT – are able to shift the way in which the UK\u2019s biggest broadcaster works with little to no pressure.<\/p>\n It\u2019s almost like the BBC is already overwhelmingly LGBT-inclusive…<\/p>\n \u2014 Jake Johnstone (@hijakejohnstone) October 12, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Heteronormative culture = the vast majority of people. The BBC might as well be The Vatican for all the connection it has to mainstream society. Imagine working in such a stifling, thought policed environment. https:\/\/t.co\/ftCIVUzD0v<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Deborah Morgan (@Huttoneer) October 12, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n James Purnell, BBC\u2019s director of radio and education said that it\u2019s part of an effort to be \u201copen\u201d<\/em> and \u201cinclusive\u201d<\/em> and attract younger audiences. Purnell cited a YouGov survey which found that 51 percent of 18-24 year-olds identify as totally heterosexual. “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,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0London museum apologizes after using word \u2018womxn\u2019 instead of \u2018women\u2019 in effort to be \u2018inclusive\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n But much of the reaction to the new effort on social media, even from LGBT people themselves, was bafflement \u2014 particularly as the BBC already appears to have a reputation for being very gay-friendly.<\/p>\n I’m genuinely not sure where the demand for this sort of thing is coming from. Most of the reaction I’ve seen from gay friends and on Twitter seems to be just as baffled as the reaction from straight people.<\/p>\n \u2014 Sir WarGit of Peek Freans (and the rest) (@WarGit) October 12, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Am baffled by it. Worked there from 2003-2010 and it was gay as a window<\/p>\n\n\n
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