The graph on yesterday's blog is derived from the 'coming out' page on the BBC experimental prototype catalogue. Although not the full database, this public catalogue indicates that, in the last ten or eleven years, there has been an overall decline in 'coming out' information for young lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

A programme transmitted on 12 December 1999 as part of the 'Sort It' series was catalogued with this description:

Series tackles issues of interest to young people with practical advice on problems. Today's prog deals with bullying, racism, bereavement, and the problems of "coming out" in the classroom. Arbitration item on bunk beds.

ITEM 01: DRAMA-RACISM/BULLYING: drama showing how a boy suffers from bullying and racism at school. Viewers have the chance to ring up and decide the end to the drama's dilemma. (dur 04m35s) ITEM 03: GAY KIDS: Serious film about the problems of "coming out" in the classroom. (dur 04m08s) ITEM 04: ARBITRATION: READING IN BUNK BEDS: Dispute between Victoria & Samantha Foulds, with panel's discussion and verdict. ITEM 05: BEREAVEMENT: Friends Helen & Hannah discuss. (dur 01m38s)

Many important advances in lgbt equality have occurred this century: The age of consent is equal. Section 28 is no more. Gay people have legally recognised partnerships and can adopt children together. We have employment equality with legal protection against discrimination at work. And it's planned to outlaw discrimination in the supply of goods and services this autumn.

But whilst all these changes have happened, Newsround has become less inclusive, not more.

Newsround's website has only one relevant story, and that dates back more than four years to March 2002, when Will Young came out.

Two days later Newsround's website reported that Will's double A-side single was still a massive seller "despite revelations this week that he's gay." It continued "Some people in the music biz were worried this would hit his record sales, but it hasn't at all."

Of course the problems of homophobic language and bullying have been ignored by Newsround for ages. I think it's time to call in 'Newsround Investigates.'