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Strictly row: BBC refuses to say sorry after suggesting gay dancing shouldn’t be seen on ‘family show’
The BBC will not investigate or apologize after saying they won’t allow same-sex couples on Strictly Come Dancing because it is a ‘family show’.
And same-sex dancing will still be banned.
Strictly is one of the UK’s most popular TV shows and the BBC has licensed the format to 42 countries, including the US where it is called Dancing With the Stars.
But in 13 series it has never had its celebrities paired with a same gender dance partner.
Last week CJ de Mooi – an openly gay star of the BBC’s own quiz show Eggheads – said Strictly wanted him as a contestant but then rejected him because he asked to dance with another man.
At the time, the broadcaster issued this statement:
‘Strictly Come Dancing is a family show and we’ve chosen the traditional format of mixed-sex couples. At the moment we’ve no plans to introduce same-sex couples.’
The suggestion that gay and lesbian couples shouldn’t be allowed on a ‘family show’ attracted immediate criticism in media and social media.
Gay Star News asked six questions of the BBC. Here are our questions and their response in full.
GSN: Does the BBC recognize LGBTI people are also part of families and have families?
BBC: ‘To avoid any misinterpretation the reference to ‘family show’ – meaning all kinds of families – was only ever intended to describe the kind of show “Strictly” is.’
GSN: Does the BBC accept there is no reason same-sex families, same-sex dancing and same-sex affection should not be featured on an equal basis at all times and on all shows?
BBC: Declined to reply.
GSN: Will the BBC investigate how this statement was made on its behalf and take disciplinary action and/or provide retraining in diversity as appropriate?
BBC: Declined to reply.
GSN: Will the BBC now retract and apologize for this statement?
BBC: Declined to reply.
GSN: Does the BBC now accept this ban on same-sex dancing on Strictly is both discriminatory and untenable?
BBC: Declined to reply.
GSN: Will the ban now be lifted and same-sex pairings featured in future?
BBC: ‘Strictly Come Dancing has chosen the traditional format of mixed-sex couples. At the moment we have no plans to introduce same-sex couples in the competition.’
GSN offered the broadcaster a second chance to respond to the four questions it had not answered. The BBC declined to comment further.
That’s not likely to satisfy leading LGBT campaign organization Stonewall.
In response to GSN raising the issue, a Stonewall spokesperson said: ‘We hope that action is taken and that the statement will be retracted.
‘A family is when people love and care for each other, and therefore families come in all shapes and sizes, including same-sex couples. Alternative Parenting Week, which takes place this month, is a fantastic celebration of different families. Perhaps whoever looks after the BBC’s social accounts should come along and meet some.’
CJ de Mooi is just the latest person to suggest the BBC should lift the ban on same-sex pairings in the show.
He claimed one of Strictly’s pro dancing stars Robin Windsor was axed from the show because he wanted same-sex couples. Windsor told GSN earlier this year that a same-sex pairing would be a ‘great thing to happen’.
Sarah Garrett, founder of Alternative Family Week, said: ‘All that same-sex couples and LGBTs want is to be treated equally and fairly, the BBC’s ban is just another example of discrimination.
‘As LGBTs we battle every day to change society’s perception, that LGBTs deserve the same rights as everyone else. Sections of the public still have backward views but I’m surprised a public funded organization such as the BBC would enforce such antiquated rules.
‘In any event, a same-sex pairing on Strictly would no doubt boost ratings.’
The post Strictly row: BBC refuses to say sorry after suggesting gay dancing shouldn’t be seen on ‘family show’ appeared first on Gay Star News.
Tris Reid-Smith
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