FAO: BBC Complaints Department

I wish to make a complaint about the Leonardo series on BBC Children's. The series completed its first run on the CBBC channel on Monday 4th July 2011.

My complaint relates to the portrayal of Leonardo da Vinci as heterosexual. Many art historians including the renowned Lord Clark agree that that was not the case. Da Vinci was, in fact, what we would now call gay.

CBBC Leonardo is part of a much wider problem on BBC Children's.

Hints that Leonardo is attracted to the opposite sex can be seen in the very first episode, by the way he looks at Lisa in the light of day shortly after they leave the catacombs. By the time we get to episode 5 it is made explicit. For example Leonardo, talking to one of his friends about [a] girl called Valentina, says: "She is so beautiful. When I look at her I can barely breathe."

Although the Corporation will, no doubt, argue that Leonardo is makebelieve and never intended to be taken seriously, that was not made clear when the series was broadcast. Displaying the location of Florence and the date 1467 at the start of each episode would have given kids the impression that the series is largely based on fact. Furthermore on another CBBC programme - Friday Download (6th May 2011) - one of the presenters recommended Leonardo, and told viewers that it's a factual show.

Until 2005 the BBC was prepared to regularly portray lesbian and gay characters in kids' dramas. However since then I believe that not one single new CBBC drama has included LGBT characters or role models. Factual output is barely any better. For example the kids' news programme Newsround ignores virtually all news where LGBT issues are involved, and there has never been any specific mention of efforts to combat homophobia and homophobic bullying.

Gay and lesbian people, and those who are bisexual, make up a significant minority entitled to be served and treated fairly by the BBC. Those words are quoted from BBC Producers' Guidelines 1996-2005. The Guidelines went on to make clear that LGB people play a full range of roles in society and have the same right as others to see that range truthfully portrayed.

When taken together the total lack of LGBT role models and heroes in BBC children's dramas, the misrepresentation of Leonardo da Vinci's sexual orientation was an unnecessary, cruel, insensitive and discriminatory decision, and it is the basis of my complaint.

Please note that I will not be appealing the initial outcome of this complaint, whatever the result.


--------------------------------------


Reference CAS-879437-3M1DZL

Thanks for contacting us regarding CBBC's 'Leonardo'.

I understand that you're unhappy as you feel that this programme and many others are biased against homosexuality.

As you have mentioned gay and lesbian people make up a significant minority of the BBC’s audience. As a Public Service Broadcaster dedicated to reflect society, the BBC rightfully shows that homosexuals play a full range of roles within society and have the same right as other people to see that range truthfully explored in our programmes. Our dramas have a long-standing reputation for dealing with all subjects in a responsible way and by handling the issue carefully, people gain more understanding and tolerance of gay and lesbian people. We must make it clear that we show a range of programmes which is expected of us by the wide and diverse audience we serve but I'm sorry that you feel 'Leonardo' did not reflect this but I welcome your feedback on the programme.

We’re guided by the feedback that we receive and to that end I'd like to assure you that I've registered your complaint on our audience log. This is a daily report of audience feedback that's made available to all BBC staff, including members of the BBC Executive Board, programme makers, channel controllers and other senior managers.

The audience logs are seen as important documents that can help shape decisions about future programming and content.

Thanks again for taking the time to contact us.