Doctor Who Lesbian Kiss Scene Cut In Case It Offends Asian Audiences.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2738813/Homophobia-row-BBC-cuts-Doctor-Who-lesbian-kiss-scene-lizard-woman-avoid-offending-Asian-audience.html

Why after 51 years of screening 'Doctor Who' was there any need to include a Lesbian scene in the first place?

/// The decision to remove the first lesbian encounter in the show’s 51-year history has angered gay rights campaigners, who accused executives of giving into homophobia. ///

[pixie373]

Hmmmm

[Baldric]

I realise I'm a minority here, I don't think I've ever watched a complete episode of Dr Who in my life, no interest in it whatsoever,
It's a TV Programme, It's not real, Get over it!

[anotheoldgit]

Answerprancer

/// ...just to be sure: ///

Just to be previously sure, I posted these at 10.02

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/04/article-2355854-1AA2D42C000005DC-404_634x678.jpg

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Kp4LPMpq--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/17yi21qsu4hrdjpg.jpg

[Answerprancer]

LOL that last line read a bit like "I know you are, but what am I".

It's nothing to do with turning a sexuality issue into a racial one, and what's more I think you know that but just in case you don't: the similarity is with the issue of *prejudice*, homosexuals and people from different ethnic backgrounds have both been subjected to prejudice at one time or another.

[Answerprancer]

"Just to be previously sure, I posted these at 10.02"
So you did, please excuse my previous negligence ;-)

[sp1814]

AOG

Yes, I'm not diverting the question. You asked why after 51 years was there any need for a lesbian kiss.

First, it wasn't a 'lesbian' kiss, because neither character was playing lesbian. In fact, one wasn't even a human being.

The reference to Star Trek is valid, because it featured what some consider 'a controversial kiss'.

Do you not agree there is a similarity in the way that people reacted to the Star Trek kiss, and this particular scene?

And when I say 'some', I refer to the six people who complained.

Out of the millions who watched it.

[anotheoldgit]

Answerprancer

/// It's nothing to do with turning a sexuality issue into a racial one, and what's more I think you know that but just in case you don't: the similarity is with the issue of *prejudice*, homosexuals and people from different ethnic backgrounds have both been subjected to prejudice at one time or
another. ///

That may well be but in this instance the subject under discussion is

*** Doctor Who Lesbian Kiss Scene Cut In Case It Offends Asian
Audiences. ***

If you feel strongly about other prejudices then feel free to raise the matter in a thread of your own.

Then maybe you could then also include prejudices against women, the elderly, the disabled, the hard working tax payer etc, etc.

[sp1814]

AOG

You wrote:

"Because I can see no reference that the Lesbian kiss scene was cut because of six viewer's complaints."

No, it wasn't - but you asked why it was necessary to have the kiss in the first place. My reasoning is that most viewers were not bothered by it - as evidenced by the fact that most viewers weren't bothered by it.

Did it spoil *your* enjoyment of the show?

If not, then surely there was no reason not to include the scene...?

[Zacs-Master]

If that's the case AOG why did you muddy the waters by writing //Why after 51 years of screening 'Doctor Who' was there any need to include a Lesbian scene in the first place? // ?

[Answerprancer]

You don't seem to understand Git (although I suspect you are twisting what I said because that's what you do).
So I shall explain once more:
Prejudice is prejudice whether it be to do with sexuality or race despite what the "subject under discussion is" the comparison still stands and is pertinent.

[sp1814]

AOG

Back to the question - the 'kiss' was a plot device (exchange of oxygen).

It was not a lesbian kiss...

So in answer to your question - it was needed. How the plot will be resolved in territories where the kiss is removed remains to be unseen.

I hope that clarifies it.

But perhaps the best way for you to establish whether 'there was any need' is for you to watch the episode on BBC iPlayer, and decide for yourself.

[sp1814]

Just to be clear - do you consider it to be a lesbian kiss.

If so, why?

I know that the BBC have cut the scene from some territories because of local by-laws, but I assume that you too consider it a lesbian kiss.

Why?

[sp1814]

AOG

I think the BBC has to take audience attitudes into consideration.

Whilst it has to acknowledge that some, like you, may ask, "Is this necessary", it also has to weigh up the fact that attitudes have changed in the past 51 years. If that scene had (somehow) been shown in William Hartnell's day...or even Sylvester McCoy's, I expect there would have been a major outcry.

As it turns out, the six complaints suggests that whilst the scene may or may not have been 'necessary', for most of the show's audience, it did not spoil the show.

I would suggest that perhaps the only people to get worked up about such things are the kind of people who say that dramas are spoiled when black actors are included in the cast (with the obvious exception of when they're playing murderers and/or rapists).

[agchristie]

Dr Who writers have certainly caused a skink! ;-)

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// Yes, I'm not diverting the question. You asked why after 51 years was there any need for a lesbian kiss. ///

/// First, it wasn't a 'lesbian' kiss, because neither character was playing lesbian. In fact, one wasn't even a human being. ///

So far so good up to this point you are not diverting the question, so let me answer this, regarding the description of a lesbian kiss:

It was not I or even the Daily Mail who classed it a lesbian kiss, it was Auntie BBC's chiefs who though such a scene unsuitable to be shown in Asia, and your own Peter Tatchel and Richard Lane, of gay rights group Stonewall, who couldn't wait to attach a homophobic label to the proceedings.

At this point you are now 'off track'.

/// The reference to Star Trek is valid, because it featured what some consider 'a controversial kiss'. ///

But even so it has nothing to do with this matter, had the subject matter been headlined "CONTROVERSIAL KISSES" then yes maybe.

/// Do you not agree there is a similarity in the way that people reacted to the Star Trek kiss, and this particular scene? ///

I am unaware that only six people complained about this scene, but once again these six did not have the power to remove the scene, it was once again the BBC's decision.

.

[EcclesCake]

I was so shocked by the oxygen exchange I can't actually remember it.

I suspect there were more complaints and about the cheap, wobbly scenery which was reminiscent of Dr Who from yesteryear with a few bits borrowed from Crossroads.

[sp1814]

AOG

You referred to it as a lesbian kiss in your question.

Why do you think it was?

Did you see the episode?

[anotheoldgit]

Zacs-Master

/// If that's the case AOG why did you muddy the waters by writing //Why after 51 years of screening 'Doctor Who' was there any need to include a Lesbian scene in the first place? /// ?

Not I who "muddied the waters" it seems that the BBC did a perfectly good job of doing that in the first place, along with Peter Tatchel and Richard Lane, of gay rights group Stonewall, if the scene had not existed then there would have been no such bother.

See it is not too difficult is it?

[sp1814]

AOG

Please read what Richard Lane actually said:

‘It’s a great shame that some audiences were not allowed to see the episode in full.’

Where does he refer to this as a 'lesbian kiss'?

The only people who have referred to it as a lesbian kiss are Peter Tatchell and the Daily Mail.

...and now you.

I proffer the suggestion that you are mistaken in your belief.

[Zacs-Master]

Would you please pack it in with the insinuations that I'm stupid with your offensive 'see, it's not too difficult is is' comment. It's beneath you and unnecessary. Your question would have held up on its own regarding the fact that the BBC decided to omit the scene in some Asian countries. Your personal opinion was unnecessary and has led to the confusion you have created by it.