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CBBC's The Next Step's first same-sex kiss!

Last updated at 08:09
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jude-and-cleo-kissing-the-next-stepCBBC
Cleo said: "When I dance with Jude, I feel safe and free all at the same time. When we dance together, it's like magic."

The world has come a long way in supporting LGBTQ+ rights and CBBC have taken a huge step.

On Wednesday July 22, two female characters, Jude and Cleo from 'The Next Step' kissed.

This was the first same-sex kiss to air on CBBC and many people have said it was an important moment for LGBTQ+ rights.

Why are people so excited about a same-sex kiss?
the-next-step-castCBBC

Even though people from the LGBTQ+ community have gained many rights in the UK over the last 50 years, some people still don't accept same-sex relationships and queer identities.

Homophobia is when people dislike (or have prejudice towards) gay people.

Up until 1967 it was illegal for men to be in a same-sex relationship in Britain.

Talking about LGBTQ+ relationships on a show for children, is still a relatively new thing.

'The Next Step' recognised how important it was to show all kinds of relationships, and it seems the viewers thought so too!

Lots of fans commented on social media about the kiss, one fan said:

"YES! I'm so proud of how far The Next Step has come and how it's helped pioneer CBBC,"

Another commented about how showing this kiss would help lots of others feel accepted:

"When kids [shows] have representation like this it honestly makes me so happy because I know there are kids out there who will feel less alone than I did."

A spokesperson for CBBC has said:

CBBC is proud to reflect all areas of children's lives, including age appropriate representation of same sex relationships, across our factual and fictional output.'

Did you watch this episode? What did you think? Let us know in the comments !

You can get 'The Next Step' on BBC Iplayer

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753 comments

  • dont u think it would be a little akward

    • Bookworm 1_1 replied:
      I know right lol

  • This is AMAZING!!! Yes, go BBC!!! :D

  • You could see that Jude blushed when she was around cleo, if you like someone you like them you can’t really deny it.

  • Omg such a proud moment! It's part of the next step history! People shouldn't be judged by their feelings! Like if u agree with me! 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨❤️❤️

  • I think this was a good decision to put this in

    • CrimsonMoonlightPlanet replied:
      Yh I agree with u!

  • So sad people stopped watching TNS because of the sweet kiss. It happens in life and we should now about it. Proud of you Clude!
    Clude 4 eva
    TNS 4 eva

    • Seabluewhale replied:
      yeah it needs to be normalised

  • Keep kissing babes love you😗💋👙

    • Bookworm 1_1 replied:
      Ok then.......

  • I am so proud of Clude!
    I love the next step and so this was news to me!

  • Clue for the win! I shipped these two before they kissed, and I still do!

  • Clude gotta be the best couple lmao even tho there same-sex there still one of my fav couples!

    [Edited by Moderator]

  • CLUDE 4 LIFE

  • I love tns

  • hi

  • Honestly lets be real here the next step probably is the ccbc show with the most kisses in it so what is wrong with another kiss added to the list.Gender does not matter at all so its fine. If anything its showing a good lesson to the younger kids watching that you can chose what you wanna be whether that may be straight or lgbtq+ .We have seen a few lgbtq+ charecters on cbbc like in jamie johnson,4 o'clock club and now another one to list is great.So well done BBC for adding a new person to the community.Honestly peopke are just making a big deal about it. All the haters are just unnecessary.

    • Anniepurplechocolatesloth replied:
      Couldn’t agree more

  • Apparently cbbc is making a new show called first day about a trans girl called Hannah

  • I am really glad, as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, that at last a kids show has a same sex kiss. I mean I remember Nick from Elite had a boyfriend called Ben but they never kissed on screen. It is natural for teens this age to be kissing so it was long overdue. I’m still a bit upset that it was, in my opinion, the two most annoying girls who got together. I haven’t actually seen any episodes from episode 14 of series seven but I saw this spoiler online.😁

    • This comment was removed because it broke the rules. Explain

  • I dont get it, people kissing has been in the next step before, so why, when it is a same-sex kiss, is there such a stir, btw, the next step is a show about teens, cause there will be kissing

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