Neighbourly?
Monday, September 27, 2004
I never thought I'd blog about Neighbours, but I'm about to, and positively which all the more shocking. Shocking, it seems, is actually the much-reported reaction to the first lesbian kiss in the relatively conservative Australian soapie export. The Age reports:
Sometimes, a kiss is just a kiss. But when a kiss is Neighbours' first lesbian kiss, the reaction is bound to be different. Neighbours actress Bridget Neval, 19, who plays schoolgirl Lana Crawford, has found her character being attacked by talkback callers and conservative groups for "glamourising a high-risk culture" and "making homosexuality look cool". It was an eye-opening experience, Neval said. "You read the letters to the newspapers and articles and, if you are a gay teenager already feeling insecure about how your sexuality will be accepted, that would be incredibly devastating." [...] Conservative groups are outraged. "It just saddens me that we give our young people the message that these relationships are OK," said Peter Stokes, chief executive of Christian group Salt Shakers. But Neighbours executive producer Rick Pellizzeri said the show was simply reflecting reality, continuing its recent strategy of becoming more contemporary. "In the last 18 months, we've tackled breast cancer, drug abuse, postnatal depression, infertility, stalking, behavioural problems for teenagers, police corruption," he said. "We are not condoning or promoting homosexuality . . . Ultimately, we're telling a story about tolerance."While I strongly dislike the word tolerance (which presumes acceptance is out of the question, but getting people to even stop being shocked is some sort of achievement!), I must admit, I'm pleased to hear Neighbours is making some attempt to including gay and lesbian characters, something all too rare on Australian television.
[Posted by Unknown] [12:02 pm]
2 Comments:
DAMN STRAIGHT
or not so straight. damn, must've missed the landmark episode. at least Australian tv is trying to catch up with the rest of the world. good to know!
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