BBC to have more LGBT characters under new diversity reforms
The BBC also announced plans to improve working life for LGBT staff.
The BBC has announced its television shows will include more LGBT characters as part of new diversity reforms.
According to The Telegraph, the characters will be “incidental” portrayals which mean their sexuality is not part of a storyline.
The plans are part of several steps towards diversity reform following a recent internal survey by the BBC which discovered that many LGBT BBC employees considered the company to have a “heteronormative culture”.
Around 12% of the BBC’s senior management employees are LGBT as well as around 11% of the BBC’s overall workforce.
In addition to this, off-screen and on-air LGBT staff will be encouraged to “bring their whole self to work” and be open about their sexuality.
The BBC has also encouraged the use of non-binary pronouns used by staff where appropriate as well as a network of “straight allies”.
James Purnell, the director of radio and education, said in a statement: “One of our big challenges currently is around young audiences.
“In a recent YouGov survey, only 51% of 18 to 24-year-olds said they identified as completely 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.
“We’re aiming to create the most open, inclusive culture we can.”