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Steven Universe: Cartoon Network censor same sex scene in UK version of show

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Jack Shepherd @JackJShepherd Friday 8 January 2016

A petition to ‘End Homophobic Censorship of Steven Universe’ has been signed by over 4,000 people

Steven-Universe
Cartoon Network’s cartoon series Steven Universe was released to critical praise, with many commentators complimenting the show for bringing gender to the forefront of a children’s show, with clear, positive LGBT+ themes throughout.
However, according to reports the network’s European division has decided to censor one of the episodes in the UK, removing a scene in which two female characters kiss.
The scene in question, which takes place in the episode ‘We Need To Talk’, has caused outrage online, with a petition having been started entitled ‘End Homophobic Censorship of Steven Universe’. It has been signed by over 4,000 people as of the 7 January.
You can see the cut for yourself in the clip below, the characters Pearl and Rose Quartz embracing at around the 1.59 mark.
As you can see, their non-offensive kiss is replaced by a shot of a young man staring on, strumming his guitar.
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Since the petition gained attraction, Cartoon Network has responded to the outcry, writing on Facebook: “Cartoon Network (in Europe) often shows amended versions of programs from US originals.
“The US broadcast system requires that shows are marked with a rating –in this case PG (parental guidance necessary). In the UK we have to ensure everything on air is suitable for kids of any age at any time.
“We do feel that the slightly edited version is more comfortable for local kids and their parents.”
This response has, in itself, caused yet more outrage, with viewers asking why a sexual/romantic interaction between a male and female character in the same episode was no censored.
“So heterosexual relationships are somehow more suitable for young people than same-sex relationships?” wrote one disgruntled viewer on Facebook, while another wrote: “Censoring at this point is still very unnecessary, there is nothing offensive about the scene you censored.”
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Pink News, who were one of the first to notice the change, noted that the BBFC’s ‘Universal’ rating allows for characters to “be seen kissing or cuddling and there may be references to sexual behaviour. However, there will be no overt focus on sexual behaviour, language or innuendo”, a condition the censored scene does not break.
Steven Universe’s former producer Ian Jones-Quarterly has previously confirmed that two of the female characters, Ruby and Sapphire, are “in a romantic relationship and I don’t believe any different”. How and if Cartoon Network are going to censor that relationship as well is currently unknown.

Edwin Poots: ban on gay blood was biased, High Court rules

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Previously we have commented and written about the ex-Minister Edwin Poots apparent bias (prejudice) against the LGBT community.
 
2013/9/19 – Article on Minister’s use of public funds defending the appeal againsgt his ban on gay blood donations and gay adoption.
2013/9/21 – Petition for Minister’s resignation
2014/12/25 – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended the end of a three-decade ban on blood donations
 
Former Stormont's Health minister Edwin Poots.Today we are reprinting the news article from BBC News reporting on the judicial case and Mr Justice Treacy’s comments  that the Ban by Edwin Poots ‘infected by apparent bias’.  The verdict strengthens a previous finding in October 2013 that the ban is irrational.
 
The gay blood ban, put in place during the 1980s AIDS threat, was lifted in England, Scotland and Wales in November 2011.
A former health minister’s ban on the donation of blood from gay men in Northern Ireland was “infected by apparent bias”, a court has ruled.
A judge also backed claims from lawyers for a gay man that Edwin Poots’ stance was influenced by Christian beliefs.
The High Court ruling strengthens a previous finding in October 2013 that the ban was irrational.
Mr Poots, who is to appeal that ruling, was replaced as Stormont’s health minister last year.
The gay blood ban, put in place during the 1980s AIDS threat, was lifted in England, Scotland and Wales in November 2011.
The minister has consistently rejected claims that his position may have been influenced by his religious views
It was replaced by new rules which allow donations from gay men who had not had sexual contact with another man for more than a year.
But Mr Poots maintained the prohibition in Northern Ireland on the basis of ensuring public safety.
The minister has consistently rejected claims that his position may have been influenced by religious views.
But lawyers for the gay man who brought the challenge, introduced remarks made by Mr Poots in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The DUP MLA was recorded as saying: “There is a continual battering of Christian principles, and I have to say this – shame on the courts, for going down the route of constantly attacking Christian principles, Christian ethics and Christian morals, on which this society was based and which have given us a very good foundation.”
The judge cited a news article from 2001 in which Mr Poots spoke of the rights of those receiving donations to be told they were getting “clean blood” uncontaminated by the HIV virus.
He added: “The minister’s very troubling lack of candour and his attempt to conceal the fact that he had made a decision are plainly circumstances that are material to whether a fair-minded and informed observer would conclude that there was a real possibility of bias.”