Queer as Folk TV sparks argument

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Red Deer

But when she saw the program Queer as Folk (QAF) on Showcase, she went ballistic because of the graphic homosexual sex portrayed.

"The sex they show in that program, you wouldn't get away with that on other shows. You wouldn't get away with oral sex in a heterosexual show," Pringle told the WCR.

Pringle was offended not only that the QAF portrayed graphic homosexual sex, but that it also showed a priest having sex with another man in one episode.

"It's offensive against the Church," she emphasized.

She is convinced that the network wouldn't get away with portraying the clergy as Hindu, Buddhist, or Sikh. "But (the show) can portray them as Catholics or Christians because we don't seem to have rights."

Hoping that she would get a prompt response, Pringle complained to Shaw Cable. The response was allegedly delayed for some weeks and when she received a reply, she was offered a channel block.

WCR contacted Shaw Cable numerous times but did not receive a reply.

Having a channel block seemed convenient, but Pringle was not satisfied.

She told Shaw, "It's false advertising for you to tell me that I am getting a movie channel and giving me porn. I think if you have a Playboy channel, you would have to tell me it's Playboy."

Shaw allegedly acknowledged Pringle was right and she was advised to take it up with the licensing network, because Shaw only delivers the goods and does not produce the shows. As long as their licence is a movie channel, apparently the cable company will tell the people they're getting a movie channel.

"If they're licensed for porn, we will tell the people they're getting porn" Pringle was told by Shaw.

"I can't believe what they show on TV nowadays." - Mary Pringle

Pringle told the WCR she also took her complaint to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council. Pringle was allegedly told the council is "not handling it" and that she has to talk to the network. "They're all passing the buck. CRTC won't get back to me for 90 days."

A spokesperson from Showcase who wanted to remain anonymous, said the "show is not pornographic.

"It is basically a dramatic series that portrays a group of homosexual friends. It takes a look at their lives as a whole, their work life, their family life, their personal life."

Showcase receives good response about the show from its viewers. The spokesperson said for every 20 positive e-mails about the show, they receive only one negative.

Those who comment positively about QAF said they are helped by the show because finally there's something on television that relates to their lives.

Showcase is a television channel that states it is without borders. "We are really careful with the type of things that we play. And when we play shows that are not intended for children, we don't air them before 9 p.m.," the spokesperson said.

Pringle, a substitute teacher, said her complaint was featured in the Red Deer media. The paper was flooded with letters to the editor saying why didn't Pringle complain about other shows on TV that portray graphic sex.

"They said that I never complained about the heterosexual shows that have all the sex in it, like the Sopranos and Sex in the City, which I've never seen because I never had a cable till I got Queer as Folk."

Pringle admits that she can see their point. "I can't believe what they show on TV nowadays."

Shows like QAF is more appropriate on a Pay Per View channel, where viewers would pay specifically for the program, said Pringle.

This mother of a 14-year old daughter and 12-year old son has e-mailed numerous people, including various Church and family organizations and all the school boards in Alberta. She also received speaking invitations from concerned women's groups like Alberta Federation of Women United for Family.

Raising the issue with the local CWL in Red Deer is in the works. She hopes a resolution will be made to their provincial body which will then submit it to the national organization, which has more than 100,000 members across Canada.

"What I'd like to see is that all people in Canada be aware that porn is being fed to our television. And I want all Catholics and Christians to do something about it."

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