This document discusses the representation of LGBT characters and storylines in British television from the 1950s to the 2010s. It traces the evolution from implicit references in early shows to more explicit portrayals over time, as social attitudes changed. Key milestones included the first regular gay character in the 1970s sitcom "Are You Being Served?", the biographical film "The Naked Civil Servant" in 1975, and the first gay kiss on "EastEnders" in 1987. By the 2000s, LGBT characters and stories had become more common and mainstream across many genres of British television.

1. LGBT IN TELEVISION OVER THE
YEARS
By Bansari Raval

2. 1950’S
 A Large proportion of the early British television
productions no longer exists, thus making it harder for
us to track down the earliest representations of
homosexuality.
 Until 1955 there was only one channel in the homes of
British people. The BBC (British Broadcasting
Cooperation).
 The licence funded channel was sometimes
affectionately referred to as aunty.
 The show Dixon of Dock Green provided for us
characters that were based on real life homosexuals
such as The Tramp called Duffy Clayton was based on
gay man Ted Willis; mentor for the shows creator and
principle writer.

3. 1960S
 The 1960s saw a more of introduction to more
varieties of shows that included homosexuality.
 The Wednesday Play (1964-70) A anthology series
that discussed a range of issues across the board
including social issues, and bringing the attention of
audiences which hadn't been seen or discussed on
television before.
 One of the plays broached the issue of
homosexuality called The Horror of Darkness.
 It showed a married artists collage friendship with
another man, who he was secretly in love with.

4. 1970S
 Are You Being Served? (1972) The popular BBC
Sitcom, often credited for being the first British
sitcom to feature a regular gay character.
 The Character Mr Humphreys was never made
explicitly clear however it was made clear he played
a camp caricature.
 This portrayal attracted much criticism by those
who felt he reinforced a stereotypical view of gay
men

5. 1970S CONTINUED
 The Naked Civil Servant (1975) ITV made the auto-
biography of Quentin Crisp and English writer and story
teller. He was played by English actor John Hurt.
 The 90 minute television film is considered a milestone
in British television history.
 The eccentric life of Quentin Crisp caught the attention
of many paving way for John Hurt to win a BAFTA for
John Hurt.
 The Gay Life (1979) The programme was commissioned
by London Television Weekend. It was the first show on
ITV to explicitly talk about homosexual lifestyles.
However it was networked along all regions for ITV.

6. 1980S
 Brideshead Revisited (1981) adapted from a novel
written by Evelyn Waugh, it was a lavish adaption,
set in the early 20th century it focused on the
emotionally charged relationship between Charles
Ryder and aristocrat Lord Sebastian Flyte.
 In 2000, the serial placed tenth on a list of the 100
Greatest British Television Programmes compiled
by the British Film Institute, based on a poll of
industry professionals.

7. 1980S CONTINUED
 Eastenders (1987) portrayed the first ever gay kiss on
television Colin Russell gave Barry Clark a peck on the
forehead. This was considered outrageous to be shown
on a Television soap pre-watershed.
 This attracted massive publicity at the time with
Eastenders being named as ‘Eastbenders’ by
newspapers and homophobic people.
 Brookeside(1985) first openly gay kiss on British
television. As well as one the first homosexual
characters portrayed in British Television.
 Out on Tuesday (1989) The first magazine-style show
on UK TV, Channel 4's Out on Tuesday explored gay
and lesbian issues.
 Emmerdale (19890 introduced Zoe Tate the first major
lesbian character on the show.

8. 1990S
 Brookside (1994) The relationship between Beth
Jordache (Anna Friel) who developed a tentative
relationship with neighbour Margaret Clemence
(Nicola Stephenson) featured British television's
first pre-watershed lesbian kiss.
 It attracted 6 million viewers and turned Miss Friel
into something of a gay icon. However, some
criticised Brookside for using "lipstick lesbianism"
as a cynical ploy to boost ratings

9. 1990S CONTINUED
 Queer As Folk (1998) - Russell T Davies'
sensational drama Queer as Folk really pushed the
envelope in terms of its depiction of gay and
lesbians on television.
 It took us into the heart of their culture, showing us
the drama, fun and excitement of the gay
community in Manchester.
 The show became so famous in the British gay
community it managed to be remade in the US
which was much more explicit in showing
homosexuality lifestyles than the British one.

10. 2000S
 The start of a new millennium marked a new
beginning for the shows portraying homosexuality.
 From reality tv to sitcoms to soaps you would have
at least one homosexual character on British
Television.
 Big Brother (2001) Series two of Big Brother gave
us Reality TV's first truly popular gay star. Brian
Dowling kept viewers entertained during his tenure
in that famous BB house.
 After he left he broke new ground once again, by
becoming the first ever openly gay children's TV
presenter (hosting SM:TV Live).

11. 2000S CONTINUED
 Tipping the Velvet (2002) a novel written by Sarah
Waters. Set in Victorian England the novel portrays
a coming of age story about a young girl called Nan
who falls in love with a male impersonator and
follows her to London. The television series aired
on BBC2.
 Fingersmith (2005) Again adapted from the Sarah
Waters novel set in Victorian England shows two
women from different classes fall in love with each
other. Stars Sally Hawkins (made in Dagenham
fame) Aired on BBC as a two part mini-series.

12. 2000S CONTINUED
 Sugar Rush (2005) This Channel 4 drama series,
based on the novel by Julie Burchill, introduced
viewers to 15-year-old Kim (played by Olivia
Hallinan), who moves to Brighton and develops a
crush on her new best friend, Sugar (Lenora
Crichlow).
 It remains a key drama for its take on teenage
lesbians.
 Torchwood (2005) - John Barrowman's Captain
Jack first came to screen in the 2005 run of Doctor
Who. But the following year the openly bi-sexual
character took the tv arena by storm with his own
sci-fi drama series.

13. 2000S CONTINUED
 Skins (2007)Skins ran for 5 series. Each new series
introduced a character who either had sexuality
identity problems or who were out and proud
homosexual characters. The target audience for the
show were mainly teenagers. Openly teenage
character Maxxie became a hit however was
subject to homophobia by his Muslim friend Anwar
in the series.
 Lip Service (2009) - The show aired on BBC3 for
only 2 series. The show was cancelled due to the
complaints received from viewers stating the show
was unacceptable to be even be shown after the
watershed. The series explored lives of young
lesbians living Glasgow, Scotland.

14. 2010S
 Eastenders (2010) Controversial storyline between
Syed and Christian.
 The storyline received widespread criticism to be
allowed to be shown pre- watershed.
 Religious activists thought it was outrageous to
portray an homosexual Muslim man when the
religion clearly prohibits this type of behaviour.