The findings will shape coverage for years to come and could lead to the introduction of more lesbian characters in the corporation's dramas. A BBC public consultation had more than 9,400 responses. The study is one the biggest of its kind, based on a survey of more than 1,600 people and discussion groups involving 500. Gay characters on soaps such as EastEnders and Coronation Street were also seen as important. The research also found that landmark gay storylines were regarded as hugely important by gay respondents. Gay men said they would welcome a more realistic portrayal of gay life and criticised a tendency to feature camp men, though they said this was improving. Many lesbians felt there were not enough gay women on TV and most were portrayed either as 'butch' or 'lipstick lesbians'. Around a fifth of straight people said there was too much content relating to gay people on TV generally, although 46% said the volume was about right.
