Mrs Whitehouse ?

[Hard@it]

i'm not an old fuddy-duddy but I was at my sons' house tonight and his two girls were watching Eastenders on TV they are only 11 and 8. A young actress kissed another full on the lips, the other actress left with a disgusted look, and the one that did the kissing was obviously disappointed. I do not watch this prog. myself but the inferrence was obviously suggesting lesbianism to my two impressionable granddaughters. I know Mary Whitehouse was thought a bit of a pain these years ago but now on reflection she definitely was right, she could not stop everything but I am sure she helped the balance. I suppose being a computer person at my age seems ridic. but at least it's not perverted or attempting to pervert ! So much for the watershed and Aunties' so called looking out for our nations' morals. poss not a Question, more letting of a bit steam !

I have seen prev. Mary Whitehouse questions but this is not suggesting she was right onl an observation.

[noxlumos]

Well no disrespect to you at all Hard@it, but people are born with their own individual sexual preference, so seeing a lesbian kiss will not turn your grand daughters into lesbians. My eldest natural son is gay and frankly a nicer lad ( and his boyfriend) you wouldn't meet. I'm a little worried that you think a screen kiss is perverted or attempting to pervert. Being gay is not generally considered to be a problem by most of society, hence you see it addressed in sit coms, soaps etc and I'm rather glad that it is as I believe that intolerance is a terrible thing and the more people feel they understand things different to themselves the less likely they will be to act in an ignorant or intolerant manner so the world will be a safer, better place. I personally subscribe to the idea also that if you don't like what's on TV then you can always turn it off and believe that Mary Whitehouse was a well meaning but misguided lady who did no-one any favours.Please try to understand how hurtful your remarks might be to people who are gay or their families.

[sp1814]

Noxlumos - probably the best response I've ever read on this site. I agree with you wholeheartedly and you are now my 'AB Hero Of The Week'.

Hard@it - I understand your concerns, but honest, like noxlumos said, if your granddaughters are straight, there's absolutely no way they can be persuaded that they're gay, and vice versa.

Actually - did they say anything after watching that scene?

[andy-hughes]

I saw the programme Hard@it, and I can understand that this may appear surprising if you don't follow it regularly.

To be even-handed - Eastenders are using the scene as part of an onging storyline which will explore the aspects of a woman discovering her sexuality, so it is not intended simply for 'shock' value.

The days when a gay kiss made headlines are long gone, society has realised that same-sex kissing doesn;t frighten the horses, and civilisation will not crumble overnight. We are a changing and evolving culture, if television failed to reflect this, newsreaders would still wear evening dress.

[Drusilla1S]

As a lesbian, I object to being called perverted, probably as much as you would to being called a reactionary old bigot with a po faced understanding of moral behaviour. Don't worry though, I'm just letting off a bit of steam, so that makes it OK, doesn't it?

[Ric.ror]

Quite frankly I would be more perturbed that my grandaughters were watching Eastenders at all. Buy them a book!

[Quizmonkey]

Well, thanks to everyone above for some of the best answers I've ever read on this site - I have a slight lump in my throat now and almost nothing further to say. Except perhaps that Whitehouse wasn't just a prudish busybody - she was an evil, mendacious obsessive who caused more misery and kneejerk bigotry than a year's subscription to the Daily Mail.

Similarly, the ignorance and prejudice shown by hard@it is astounding, sad and absolutely infuriating.

[Supernick]

I can't add anything more, making this pointless, but I'm with with SP (who might be reading my mind now) in that I was going to say to noxlumos, that your response is quite possibly THE definitve post on the subject, and about the best I have seen.

[snook]

As above, very little to add. I would say, however, that I'd be more concerned for the girls if they'd been watching the news. The mindless bigotry, hatred and intolerance that is shown on practically every newscast is truly shocking.

A recent poster asked how she could increase her general knowledge and several answers advised her to study the TV news and the newspapers. I beg to differ. This might result in a broader understanding of what's going on, but if you don't have your radar carefully tuned it could also result in you becoming chronically depressed. For 'news', read 'bad news'. There are better ways of broadening one's general knowledge. I'd certainly be very concerned if the girls saw regular news bulletins full of bombings, beheadings, terrorism, murders, paedophilia, and millions dying horribly due to famines and droughts.

We were never designed to take in such huge and regular amounts of bad news - in the past, our horizons were bounded by our village or town, bad news consisted of local gossip and small-time criminality. With our present day media's obsession with bad news, 24 hours a day, is it any wonder kids are often miserable and despondent, alcoholism is rife, suicide and depression are widespread? Thank God most people manage to shake off the gloom that the media churns out all day, every day.

Sorry, didn't mean to go on. Just really wanted to say that a couple of girls kissing on TV is utterly harmless and nothing to be upset over. As previously mentioned, if you don't like it, turn off. And a person's sexuality really isn't anything to get wound up about. If you really want to let off steam, vent your anger at the morons who are busy killing and maiming through their misguided loyalty to their religions. With that kind of PR for religion, it's no wonder more and more people disown it completely.

[Haggisdj]

Turns my stomach!

Should not be allowed on the TV!

Sonia Fowler.... AAAAAARGH !!!

[livk]

I think someone who is a grandmother of impressionable girls aged 8 and 11, really should not be using language such as perverted when discussing same sex relationships, or referring to the sight of seeing same sex kissing as immoral. This is blatent homophobia, and if you should be disgusted about anything, it should be your own intolerance and outdated and homophobic reaction.

[Hard@it]

That certainly put he kettle on to boil !

I take everybodys' point of view, and thank them. regardless what you all may think I am tolerant of other peoples ways, but that does not mean I have to accept them.

noxlumus the whole point is that these children are at an impressionable age, and re the turning off bit - you must be psychic if you can tell what is happening before it does.

sp1814 I do not consider that this one short happening would persuade them to be gay, it is the acceptance of this as the norm that is the problem. I have asked a lot of people and none of them know gays of either sex, so it is not a majority item.

They said nothing but they do not have to make a comment to justify watching it.

Andy Hughes yes you re right and I ccept that just because I watch it once Iam wrong to criticise,as what I saw maybe part of a storyline, and this may be a regular happening on Eastenders.

As you say culture moves on.

Drusilla1S I give a complete and unreserved apology for my remarks and the offence they gave. As you say "steam", yes I was steamed up about it and I accept your 'old bigot and po-faced also.But remember you will be old someday yourself.

Ric.ror They do read a lot and i do buy books for them, but TV is there.

Quizmonkey As I said Mary whithouse did not win every battle she had but I think she maintained a balance. NB I did not say I supported her.

Remember that this is a wide open excellent site and it takes all people to make it, I accept your definition of me but you could not be further from the truth! I also do not buy the Daily Mail.

Supernik you said it

Snook No probs.

[Hard@it]

Did a complete answer 2237 words AB said too long, here is rest

Haggis dj cannot comment as do not watch it.

LivK I thought AB was anonymous, how do you know what I am. Sounds like you have a tolerance problem aussi.

Hard @it thats the name , I do not think I could type anymore, thanks all for entering your comments, It justs shows what a great site AB is Bye.

[DMA]

What!!

I missed some woman - on - woman action.

Oh!! It was Sonia. glad I did then.

Not bothered about lesbians kissing - it looks nice actually.