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3 Jan 2011

BBC: Anti-gay views needed to ‘balance’ Elton John baby coverage

The BBC's decision to feature a supporter of state-sponsored execution of gay men as the sole commentator for its story about the birth of a surrogate son to Elton John and his partner has sparked a debate about the extent of an anti-gay viewpoint being necessary for a news report – involving a gay person or issue – to be balanced.

In its coverage of the birth of a surrogate son to Sir Elton John and his civil partner David Furnish on Christmas Day, the BBC had Stephen Green, of right-wing group Christian Voice, as the sole commentator in a news report that was repeated on a number of occasions on BBC’s flagship News at Six on BBC One on the evening of Dec 28, 2010.

"This isn't just a designer baby for Sir Elton John, this is a designer accessory," said Green in the interview. He is the national director of the organisation which says on its website that their members “have had enough of secularist politicians imposing wickedness on the rest of us (Christians)." 

"Now it seems like money can buy him anything, and so he has entered into this peculiar arrangement. A baby needs a mother and it seems an act of pure selfishness to deprive a baby of a mother," he added.

The UK gay news website Pink News, which slammed BBC’s choice of interviewee in an editorial published last week, called for viewers to take co-ordinated action against the corporation as a way of making their voices heard on this issue. It asked: “Would they ask a member of the Ku Klux Klan to comment on the birth of a surrogate child to a mixed raced couple?”

The website further noted that Green has also publicly supported the death penalty for gay men. In 2009, Green supported a proposed death penalty for gay men in Uganda saying: “The contrast between our politicians and those of Uganda could not be more stark. A Parliamentarian in Uganda is trying to protect his nation’s children. The House of Commons of the United Kingdom is trying to corrupt ours. Which country is the more civilised, I wonder, in the eyes of Almighty God?”

Last year, Green criticised Gareth Thomas, the former Welsh rugby captain for becoming patron of LGBT History Month, saying: “Gareth Thomas is urging such children to identify themselves as homosexual, and to inhibit their normal development into heterosexuality. That is a wicked thing to do to impressionable young people. The Lord Jesus Christ spoke about millstones being tied around the necks of those who lead children astray.”

Pink News last week urged readers to send complaints to BBC and Ofcom, UK’s communications regulator and suggested refusing to pay the television licence fee although it also noted that it a legal requirement to do so.

"No other group of people is subjected to the same level of insult by the BBC as the LGBT community."

The report says between 3.5 to five million LGBT people in Britain own a television set and all of whom are forced to purchase a television licence fee in order to fund the BBC regardless of whether they watch any BBC programmes.

“This monopoly over an effective tax on television consumption means that the BBC has a greater duty than most to accurately reflect the nation.”

In December last year, as news of Uganda’s proposed anti-gay bill made world headlines, the BBC’s decision to ask its readers “Should homosexuals faced execution?” similarly attracted controversy. The question was later changed to: “Should Uganda debate gay execution?”

When contacted by Pink News, the BBC defended its choice of interviewee: “The practice of surrogacy is a sensitive subject and remains controversial in some quarters. Our short news bulletin featured Elton John talking about wanting to have a child and an opposing viewpoint. All sides of the debate on surrogacy have been widely reported in the news media and our coverage has reflected this.”

Pink News however also points out that the sound-bite used of Sir Elton significantly pre-dated the announcement of his surrogate child and that a BBC source said the corporation did attempt to reach the star for a new interview.

In an update posted on Dec 30, Pink News said: “The BBC has effectively admitted interviewing a known homophobic extremist in order to ‘reflect’ what they perceive is a genuine debate over gay couples having surrogate children. The corporation makes no apology for the choice of interviewee. PinkNews.co.uk believes that the BBC were unable to find anyone else willing to give an interview on camera in opposition to Sir Elton’s decision to have a child.”

“There are no ‘two sides’ to the issue of LGBT rights”: Dan Savage

In a November 2010 television interview, Dan Savage, an openly gay syndicated relationship and sex columnist who kickstarted the It Gets Better project said: “There are no ‘two sides’ to the issue of LGBT rights. Right now one side is really using dehumanising rhetoric. The Southern Poverty Law Center labels these groups as hate groups and yet the leaders of these groups, people like Tony Perkins, are welcomed onto networks like CNN to espouse hate directed at gays and lesbians. And similarly hateful people who are targeting Jews or people of color or anyone else would not be welcome to spew their bile on CNN.”

He was being interviewed in a story about the new hate crime statistics and the fact that gays are the most likely to be targeted in hate crimes of any minority.

United Kingdom

Reader's Comments

1. 2011-01-03 19:48  
Don't understand why gay men want to have babies. Why not adopt the unfortunate ophans and give them loves. The world population is exploding now. The unfortunate ones are dying for love.
2. 2011-01-03 20:37  
Ha, try to adopt a child as a gay couple and see how much fun with bureaucrats you will have.

Not all the gay people want children, but those who do and are capable of being most caring and loving parents are heavily discriminated.
3. 2011-01-03 20:40  
Nice sentiment paksu but reality says that the chances of a gay couple being able to adopt a baby ( not belonging to one of the partners) is near zero. In the west there are insufficient babies up for adoption to meet the demands of straight couples. Adoption from third world countries carries with it plenty of unpleasant connotations and third world babies are rarely acceptable (to the authorities) as adoptees by gay parents
4. 2011-01-03 21:07  
Yes I believe gay men would make excellent parents. All a child needs is love does not matter if its from a male or female.
But yeah seems like would be better to adopt an orphan or even foster some childern in need of care and protection.
Why make things more difficult than they need to be?
5. 2011-01-03 22:24  
I believe Sir Elton and his partner did actually try to adopt a baby (that was hiv+) but were refused on grounds that in that particular country they were trying to adopt in didnt recognise same sex unions as parents. I also think this story has more to do with the discrimination that GLBT people suffer and in this case from the BBC...
6. 2011-01-03 23:06  
Heaven holds no place for those who harbour hatred.
Hell does.
7. 2011-01-03 23:52  
I generally agree with Mr. Paksu.........I legally registered three kids, then, as foster children, they were in their teens and the families asked me to assist, from disadvantaged backgrounds as noted by Paksu. (no girls, no sex involved at all!).

It worked out well for all of us.

But what people do is their own business or affair.

My core Buddism is kicking in now......................
8. 2011-01-03 23:53  
I generally agree with Mr. Paksu.........I legally registered three kids, then, as foster children, they were in their teens and the families asked me to assist, from disadvantaged backgrounds as noted by Paksu. (no girls, no sex involved at all!).

It worked out well for all of us.

But what people do is their own business or affair.

My core Buddism is kicking in now......................
9. 2011-01-03 23:54  
The BBC actions are unforgiveable though.
10. 2011-01-04 01:25  
According to BBC's logic, when talking about Jews killed in the Holocaust, they should interview Neo-Nazi?
11. 2011-01-04 04:09  
I only wish Green had lead his anti-gay rhetoric with his support of murdering gays in Uganda. If so, then the BBC would have given us a victory in the media war upon us if the only voice would be so extreme. I'm uncertain about things in the UK but in the US it is the moderates who are moving support of gay issues in our direction. The latest victory being the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in the military. The public supports it including 74% Republicans (Dec 2010 Wash. Post-ABC News poll). If the only voice of opposition is the far, far right extremists then I count this as a win for us.
12. 2011-01-04 05:08  
What's next? pro-Klan views to balance too much tolerance coverage?
13. 2011-01-04 05:52  
Can someone tell me in which verse in the bible did jesus say anything about millstones being tied around peoples necks.
14. 2011-01-04 08:12  
"A baby needs a mother and it seems an act of pure selfishness to deprive a baby of a mother."

Quick, somebody get me a horse - I'm orf to tell all those Single Fathers and Widowers and other Males who're raising wee bairns by themselves how Wicked they're all being! Gentlemen! Get thee a Wife, forthwit! For thy shalt not dare to raise children without a mother in the home without offending thy neighbour who art of the Christian fundamentalist variety!

So, giddyap, Daisy! Hya! Mush! Schnell! Are you SURE I'm supposed to face the Tail end on this thing? And why does this horse have udders?

[Exits, clip-cloppingly.]
15. 2011-01-04 09:01  
It is only a modern invention that for some reason the media needs to be balanced or fair. Historically newspapers and other forms of communication have been tools to advocate an opinion.
Furthermore, why is this even a story? It would seem to be that if Mr. Elton John and his boyfriend wish to have a baby, by whatever means, it is and ought to be a private issue between the parties involved.
16. 2011-01-04 09:50  
Two points here:-
1. wasn't the birth a story of fact and not a matter of opinion? either the child is born or it isn't! The only balance to "fact" is "fiction".
2. wasn't jesus himself a surrogate implanted into a virgin and delivered as the son of God?
17. 2011-01-04 10:01  
The more I read about "Christian Values" and "Christian Voice" the more I think the Romans had the right idea for Christians.
18. 2011-01-04 10:06  
Green says that we need to protect the children from gays. Yet gay people are adopting babies because they are just as capable, if not more capable, of loving and nurturing society's children. In this sense, are we as gay people not protecting the children?

Homophobes are full of hypocrisy. There are so many holes in their arguments.
Comment #19 was deleted by an administrator on 2011-01-04 13:20
20. 2011-01-04 12:58  
# 1. There is not different from straight people like your parents wanted to have u. In the eye of human being, their needs are the same. You have to see beyond boarder, bilogical parents do have different feeling of having their own child than adapted one (for some people). Support them whichever they feel the best. Their Rights, it is their privacy, no one has the right to question their decision. Do you like people to question you being gay? No one likes it. Your choice, your life and it is your right. Be it.
21. 2011-01-04 13:25  
If Stephen Green were Canadian, he would have be charged for discrimination. In Canadian laws, not such thing having negative opinion against gay. Anyone against gay is against our law. Freedom of speech does not over ride and over power Freedom of individual rights. Since Canada accepted gay marriage, in court, you cannot simply bring gay issue into debate like gay couple adapting a child. Cheers CANADA. We want to make Canada CANADA. We were the first English speaking country legalized gay marriage. Hope more English speaking country to join our list soon. (Canada 2005, Iceland 2010). Too few. Shame to English speaking countries.

UK is still a backward country like ALL muslim countries in term of human rights (FCUK BBC). I am not going to watch BBC anymore. USA is getting better but still far to go until The Supreme Court of US declares gay marriage is legal. Then Gay and straight no longer an issue in all aspect of life like CANADA.

Stephen Green, Fuck you babe. Your Christian view has nothing to do with Elton and his partner. Do not impose your religion into other people's private life. What is the different between Muslim and Christian when u are forcing someone to accept your religion belief? Religion and Sex are private matter, keep it to yourself, Don't fuck in the public. Respect others' rights who are not Christian.
Comment #22 was deleted by an administrator on 2011-01-04 17:01
23. 2011-01-04 16:53  
Sounds like Green needs some help to me and not from the BBC somebody more professional perthaps ????
24. 2011-01-05 06:04  
give him as much airtime as he wants, christianity is a dying religion and guys like this only help it out the door faster ... likely for every person who agrees with him, 50 don't ... let him dig that hole as fast as he wants - we should get him a movie deal
Comment #25 was deleted by an administrator on 2011-01-06 00:27
Comment #26 was deleted by an administrator on 2011-01-06 00:36
Comment #27 was deleted by an administrator on 2011-01-06 00:36
Comment #28 was deleted by an administrator on 2011-01-06 00:36
29. 2011-01-05 22:59  
I complained to the BBC and got this response from them:

"Thank you for your feedback regarding the BBC News bulletin at 18:20, broadcast on 28 December 2010.

We appreciate some viewers were unhappy that a report on Sir Elton John recently becoming a surrogate father included the views of Mr Stephen Green.

We recognise this issue can arouse a diverse range of contrasting opinions. This brief report featured Sir Elton John's thoughts and an opposing view on the matter at hand. It must be stressed that over time we have heard from all sides of this debate, dealing the subject in a fair and impartial manner.

We acknowledge the strength of sentiment on this matter, thanks again for taking the time to contact us.

Kind Regards

BBC Audience Services"

Which I interpret to mean that they really don't take my complaint or the fact that it offended me- and other LGBT people- very seriously at all.

Motherfuckers.

30. 2011-01-08 13:24  
Many here are missing the point...its not about gay adoption or whether gay people would make good parents (which of course Im sure they would), the point is that the BBC and apparently CNN are seeking the views of people with inhuman and irrational attitudes to gay people.

These people are extremists and to give them a platform to air their heinous views as giving them legitimacy...something that a responsible news agency should never do.

If a law is put up in America banning discrimination against black people would CNN interview the klu klux klan to get a "spread of opinion?'

If a jewish synagogue is to be opened in berlin does the BBC go and interview a member of the german nazi party to get an opinion?

If there is pending legislation to lower the age of consent, does the BBC interview a pedophile???

You get my point? These news agencies have no principles.
31. 2011-01-09 02:57  
#30 U are right. Fuck CNN and BBC. # 29. U are right. Right word to use "Motherfucker"

Dear #30 and 29. One main issue here is as follow:

UK and USA do not recognize gay marriage, therefore it is hard to use laws to keep them from getting anti-gay ppls who promote hatred to gay ppl. Unlike this could happen in Canada because the laws here simply do not allow having a discrimative subject for public discussion and moreover Canada laws do recognize gay and straight ppl are the same. No issue to discuss allowed in public.

To stop CNN, BBC and any media to have such a fucking discussion, the ultimate way is to use court to stop their mouths. I believe changes are high to win the battle in the courts. Freedom of speech to create confusing, hatred and causing harm are no room in any civilize society.

#30. U r right. News agencies have no principles because what they want is $$$. I'm lucky being Canadian. No fucking such a gay discussion in Canada. Dear Americans and Britishes, please use your cocks to keep fucking them all the way to the courts' toilets. lol Never give up.
32. 2011-01-13 17:53  
the BBC action was pathetic and probably designed to cause notoriety during falling ratings, I thought Mary Whitehouse died it seems she's still weaving her evil over the BBC from her grave, I am with ThayT (comment 17) I have been proposing for years the Colloseum be re-opened for business and be proclaimed a Pagan Sacred site OH for the good old days when we pagans reigned supreme, we are all part of the food chain and Lions need good regular meals too, in fact during a 'festival of light' whack job cleansing march up then notoriously Gay Oxsford st in Sydney during the 90's I wore a lions suit and placard reading 're-open the colloseum' and jumped up and down screeming excitedly " FEED ME" when they arrived.
33. 2011-01-14 00:29  
cant people just be healthy for elton john instead of making this a political bonner ram roder fest?
Comment #34 was deleted by its author on 2011-02-06 04:51
35. 2011-02-06 04:51  
Nothing surprising here...the BBC has always struck me as a Fascist White Men's club disguised in Socialist clothes.

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