[Spike]

BBC soap EastEnders has received 145 complaints from viewers concerned about a gay kiss in Tuesday night's episode.

The scene which has been called into question saw Christian Clarke (John Partridge) and his new boyfriend Lee Thompson (Carl Ferguson) sharing a kiss on the bench in Albert Square's gardens. As Dot Cotton (June Brown) walked through the Square during their embrace, she reminded them that "the Lord’s not the only one with eyes".

Writing on the Points Of View message board, one viewer said: "I am appalled by the display of homosexual kissing before the watershed shown on EastEnders. This is disgraceful whilst young children are watching and sets the wrong example."

Another viewer said of the scene: "I had to explain to my seven-year-old son what was happening. He now thinks he is gay because he kisses his dad."

One viewer, however, added: "I don't see what the fuss is about, given the context of their kissing and messing about and the way it was portrayed."

In a statement, the BBC defended its depiction of homosexual relationships, saying: "EastEnders aims to reflect real life, and this means including and telling stories about characters from many different backgrounds, faiths, religions and sexualities.

"We approach our portrayal of homosexual relationships in the same way as we do heterosexual relationships. In this instance, Christian is enjoying the first flush of romance and we've shown him being affectionate with his new boyfriend in the same way any couple would."

It continued: "We also aim to ensure that depictions of affection or sexuality between couples are suitable for pre-watershed viewing. We believe that the general tone and content of EastEnders is now widely recognised, meaning that parents can make an informed decision as to whether they want their children to watch."

At the beginning of the month, 110 people complained to the public broadcaster over its treatment of a recent Ramadan storyline, while the latest child abuse plot involving Tony King (Chris Coghill) and Whitney Dean (Shone McGarty) sparked over 200.

DS

People must love complaining

[Sarah.]

These people need hobbies.

[hannah.]

what a bunch of morons.

[Scarlett.]

Homophobic pricks - end of

[Tom4784]

I found the comment about the boy thinking he was gay hilarious, just like this whole article. GET WITH THE TIMES PEOPLE! Or stop watching.

Homophobic ********.

[pinkmichk]

Originally posted by Chewy
Homophobic pricks - end of

[bronaaaa]

Originally posted by pinkmichk

[Tom]

Originally posted by Fascination

Its not that simple, but thats a whole other argument.

[Princess]

Ridiculous. If they don't what their kids to see it then let your kids watch Eastenders! My god.

[Benjamin]

It was probably the same homophobic muppet that rang in 145 times! People need to get a life. Is two men kissing that offensive.

That makes me laugh almost as much as some of reasons some adverts get banned on TV.

[Mrluvaluva]

One word springs to mind. "Pathetic".

[Gemmer-x]

do people not have better things to do with their lives,seriously?

[Kevin]

Another viewer said of the scene: "I had to explain to my seven-year-old son what was happening. He now thinks he is gay because he kisses his dad."

LOL, oh please!!

[liam_bigbrother]

i agree with the bbc when they say they try to relfect real life. and people are getting way out of hand with this compalining thing,

[GhettoSuperstar]

Makes it more of a turn on it more people find it baaddddd.

[Axiom]

It's not homophobic, homophobic is fear of gays. It's just disturbing that kids should think they're gay when they kiss their dads.

[DamonJ]

Honestly, those gay people.
Who do they think they are?

[LemonJam]

Thats incredibly pathetic.

Their kids will have to learn about it some day anyway?

****ed up.

[pinkmichk]

there will no doubt be more complaints as tonights had more of the same

[Sod_James]

as if lol. how narrow minded

[dbh-g]

So these ppl are happy to let their children watch whilst a peodophile preys on a girl, whilst abusing another but two men kissing is disgraceful to be shown before watershed?

Morons...

[Magic]

What twats

[Zambezi-Riverdance]

Why complain about a gay kiss, it's not like it's unusual or anything, we've seen it so many times before and on Eastenders before.

I think they complained then, pathetic..

[Fom]

I hope eastenders shows more gay kissing for the fact people complained. What a horrible thing to complain about! Being gay should be accepted by now!

[AngRemembered]

Originally posted by dbh-g
So these people are happy to let their children watch whilst a peodophile preys on a girl, whilst abusing another but two men kissing is disgraceful to be shown before watershed?

Morons...

and "happy" or a least felt no need to complain when a 19 year old was about to jump into bed with Lucy Beale a few weeks before the peadophile story began.
It seems to have escaped everyones notice, including the normally pedantic and fussy Ian Beale that a peadophile was just "let off".
Where were the complaints that night? at least this kiss was legal, where as adults bedding school kids hopefully despite the apathy shown , never ever will be.