By LOUISA CLEAVE, NZPA
The Christian Heritage Party wants a British drama series depicting the lives and loves of gay men banned from New Zealand television.
Its leader, the Rev Graham Capill, has attacked Queer As Folk as immoral. It screened for the first time on Wednesday at 9.30 pm on TV4.
Mr Capill said he felt sick that New Zealand's young people "were being fed such immoral material."
The first episode depicted one of the lead characters taking home a willing partner who turns out to be 15.
Mr Capill said he had asked TV4, through the party's lawyers, not to screen the series.
Lawyer Robert Van Wichen said that now the show had started, the party would lay an official complaint with TV4.
He said the Broadcasting Act allowed for the Broadcasting Standards Authority to withdraw a programme or put conditions on the broadcaster.
Mr Capill hoped TV4 would be flooded with complaints.
But TV4 spokeswoman Michelle Camilleri said yesterday that there had been mostly positive feedback since the show screened.
"TV4 are proud to bring Queer As Folk to New Zealand - it's benchmark television, it's non-judgmental and atypical in its avoidance of stereotypes."
TV: Capill hits out at gay series
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