'Steven Universe' Being Censored in the UK: Why?

“Steven Universe” of Cartoon Network is reportedly being censored in the United Kingdom for its homosexual content. Cartoon Network UK apparently thinks that the same-sex romantic relationships featured on the show may be unsuitable for children.

MTV reported that Cartoon Network UK decided to change a scene in their broadcasts to censor “queer content.” The original scene in “Steven Universe” featured two female characters, Pearl and Rose Quartz, who danced intimately, suggesting that there was attraction between them. The broadcast, however, replaced the scene with a zoomed view of the face of another character. Certain parts of the dance were still shown.

The Cartoon Network UK stated that the slightly edited version is more comfortable for local kids and their parents, Pink News reported.

Meanwhile, certain viewers found the need to start a petition on Change.org not to censor such a scene, arguing that the affectionate exchange between the two female characters would be detrimental to several LGBT youth who would benefit if they were properly represented in TV shows.

“Queer kids DESERVE representation,” one supporter of the petition wrote.

The writers of the petition requested the network to alter their decision for the good of LGBT youth and bring back the omitted scene.

“I know you don’t want to be seen as saying it’s wrong or dirty to be queer. When viewers raised concerns about homophobic censorship in the French translation of ’Stronger Than You’, CN France listened and changed it,” the petition reads.

TheMarySue stated that Cartoon Network UK usually shows amended versions of shows coming from the United States. In the US, shows usually include a rating tag to indicate whether it is appropriate for young audiences. In the UK, networks ascertain that all shows are suitable for kids anytime.

Viewer response differed significantly. There were some who supported the petition, arguing that there is nothing wrong with the LGBT community being represented in shows and that the scene was merely an affectionate dance, and did not even escalate to a kiss. Others stated that it was a more convenient mode for UK broadcasters to filter and adjust scenes in shows accordingly if they find these too much for younger audiences, instead of simply putting a “PG” rating tag on the screen, as what they do in the US. TheMarySue also wrote that children always watch heterosexual relationships on TV without being deemed inappropriate.

More updates and details on the petition are expected soon.