BBC mocked over ‘missing option’ on ‘bi, gay or lesbian’ staff survey

The BBC admitted it had made an ‘error’ (Image: Getty) The BBC is being ridiculed by its own staff after it sent around a diversity survey asking people what their sexuality was – but it was missing a “heterosexual” option. Bewildered journalists from the Local Democracy Reporting Service, staff who are funded by the BBC and working in local news organisations, posted images of the survey. Below the question “What is your sexual orientation?”, the only options included were “bi/bisexual”, “gay man”, “lesbian/gay woman”, “other sexual orientation” and “prefer not to say”. The journalism service admitted their error but asked people who didn’t fill out the survey to tick the “other sexual orientation” box instead of sending out a new, corrected survey. It said: “If your sexual preference is other than heterosexual and you would like to indicate what that is, please use the comments section in the last question to let us know.” Jamie Shapiro, an LDRS reporter from South Hampton, wrote: ” BBC LDRS Diversity Survey. Who can spot the missing option?” It is understood the 2023 diversity survey was sent only to staff on LDRS. “This is an error on our part”, said the LDRS as it offered “sincere apologies”. It added: “By the time it came to our attention, we had over half the responses and felt it was too late to resend the survey.” Gareth Johnson, Tory MP for Dartford, said: “This is quite an oversight. “All that money spent on diversity officers and they overlook the fact that some people are straight. Remarkable really!” The BBC has been criticised a number of times for its attempts to promote diversity. In 2021, the Corporation sparked a discrimination row when it effectively banned white people from applying for a trainee role on Springwatch and The One Show. The £17,810 trainee production management assistant role in Glasgow was “only open to black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates”. Positive discrimination is illegal but “positive action” is allowed in areas where there is under-representation.