Stonewall’s recent School Report (2012) found that 56% of
young gay people in the UK deliberately harm themselves. This is a shocking
figure to try to comprehend in a country which is supposedly taking continuous steps
towards a more equal society. What is clear from the results of Stonewall’s report
is that bigger steps need to be taken and they need to be taken now.
I can’t imagine going back to school now as an ‘out’
teenager. For many people, coming out to family and friends is a difficult and
unsettling time as we are vulnerable to how other people will react to our
sexuality. I pray for the day when heterosexuality is not assumed and people
don’t have to go through the often terrifying coming out process. It is my
belief that television can play a significant part in this. Incorporating an
increased number of LGBT characters and a more diverse range of sexualities on
television would help young people especially to see that they are not alone
and being gay doesn’t mean that they are confined to a lonely life without the
same opportunities as their heterosexual peers. It also shows that gay people
do exist but their sexuality is not what makes them who they are.
Writers like Ryan Murphy have been inspirational in their
approach to including LGBT characters in comedy drama programmes such as Glee.
Hollyoaks too continues to include narratives beyond that of the characters’
coming out stories. This is refreshing to see, particularly for younger
viewers. Dramas such as The L Word, Queer as Folk and Lip Service are brilliant
but it’s also important for LGBT people to be seen in ‘everyday’ worlds, doing
‘everyday’ things.
Seeing gay people on television in a presenting role or on a
reality TV show or documentary series further makes a difference to changing
people’s attitudes about homophobia. On a personal level, we can look at people
like Clare Balding and Sue Perkins and think ‘if they can be a success then so
can I.’ And you really can.
In fact, just when you thought Sue Perkins couldn’t get any
better, she goes and writes a comedy series entitled Heading Out with a premise
that I’m sure a lot of you can relate to. Sue stars in the lead role 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 confusing
time for many people.
Heading Out starts production this 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!
Image credit: BBC
