CBBC message boards

About a year ago it looked like the BBC was becoming more inclusive (see my blog on 26 June 2007). Messages from kids who had feelings for others of the same gender were sometimes passed through moderation and some even used words like 'lesbian' or 'gay'

Some messages were answered by Aaron, CBBC's agony uncle:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbcbbc/F2697950?thread=4180595
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbcbbc/F2697950?thread=4281232
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbcbbc/F2697950?thread=4250361

But by the end of summer 2007 BBC discrimination against LGBT kids was fully back in place.

So when this message was posted recently no-one could read what it said, but only see the BBC's reply:

Message 365 - posted by CBBC (U11500666)
Hi,
Having feelings for your friends isn't something you should be ashamed of, it's a lot more common than you might think. But it's important to get support, so find someone who can give you that. You could talk to a family member, a friend, a teacher. If there is no one you feel you can speak to it may help to talk to Childline (0800 1111). Talking to someone who helps you feel ok about who you are is a great help, so try to speak to someone soon.

CBBC Helper


My guess is the original post was something to do with having feelings for a friend.

But if having feelings for your friends isn't something you should be ashamed of, and if it's a lot more common than you might think, why did the BBC remove the original message?

Could it be that the post was about same-sex feelings, and the BBC doesn't want to be more specific by telling kids that having same-sex (lesbian or gay) feelings is okay? In fact, doesn't this type of censorship really send out exactly the opposite message.