Sikorzyńska wtorek

NEXT AuLumn the BBC is to screon a serics for lesbians and homosexuals, possibly in primo time, with the working title One Nigtyt Stand.

In principle, ot course, there Iś no harm in minority groups having their share of screen time. But if they are ovcr-represented and aggressive into the bargaln, as may be the case here, the mass of viewers will indignantly ask whether such programmes are shown on merit or because of the overweening influence of tlie gay lobby in broadciisting.

TIIE BBC will scrcen a series for homosexual men and women in the nutumn — but a fierce battle is going on over its timing.

Snturday evonings are fa-vourcd by many Staff and the niakers. the indei>emlent company, Fulcrum Productions.

BBC manager? oppose tlus and expect a barrage of corn-plaints whenever the discus-sion and gay news programmes are shown.

They agonlsed over the series for montlis before giving tiie go-ahead last week to Taul Watson. head of the documen-Lary unit at BBC Elstree.

llie BBC. particuLarly the drama department, contalns an unofficial but Lnfluential hornosexual lobby and a senior fi!m-maker said yesterday: 'V<> feel it should be broadcast on Baturday nights and peak times on BBC 2 becnuse it is not an Issue that should be concealed any longer.

‘There is n rral fight going on and senior managemcnt are w orried.’

Cimnnel 4 is slepping up its covenige of gay tssucs with Black Out, a documentary on the problcim of black gays and lesbians. and n new run of Out ou Tucsday.

A spokesman for Fulcrum said that many staff on the BBC series me homosexuaLs.