RTE rejects claim on gay content

RTE has rejected claims that there is a "dearth" of gay and lesbian content in its output and that the station deals with such issues only in a "safe and token" fashion.

Independent film producer Mr Ger Philpott accused the company, along with TG4, of failing to meet its public broadcasting remit as it did not adequately deal with gay issues in its drama output.

"The broadcasters appear to dictate which films are made and, because of their reluctance to deal with homosexuality in a full-blooded, realistic way, short films with an overtly and positive gay theme are overlooked."

Mr Philpott said he has had short films rejected by both stations but this was not the reason for his complaint. E and TG4) deal with minority issues in a safe way but never in a controversial way."

But a spokeswoman for RTE contested the claims, saying gay and lesbian issues received coverage in a range of areas, from entertainment to drama.

The station's new dating and travel show, Wanderlust, would feature gay couples, she said, adding that among the recent productions devoted to the subject was The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name, a feature-length documentary on homosexuality in Ireland. It will premiere at the Dublin Lesbian & Gay Film Festival at the IFC Cinema this weekend.

Mr Philpott's award-winning short film, Change, dealing with an AIDS death, also features at the film festival.