'I Kissed A Boy' is a must-watch. The UK is seriously behind when it comes to LGBTQIA+ reality TV representation. Despite borrowing from a lot of queer culture, there's not a single reality dating show that centres queer people. The US has a few, notably ‘The Ultimatum: Queer Love’, ‘Vanjie: 24 Hours of Love’, Are You the One? (Season 8) and The Bi Life, but in the UK we've had nothing. Until now. BBC Three has finally released the first three episodes of its new series, ‘I Kissed A Boy’, hosted by Dannii Minogue.
It's got all the Love Island essentials, without any of the heteronormative tropes. There's a villa in sunny rural Italy, strangers forced to couple up, and tasks to test them. As a slight point of difference, the 10 single men are paired up and share their first kiss (on meeting) and then they must individually decide whether or not they want to commit.
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Some go for a peck, others go full snog. They are then matched with that partner until a “kiss-off” – where they can choose to stick or twist with new guys entering the house throughout. Dannii, AKA the show's cupid, announces that “Anyone left un-kissed tomorrow night will be leaving the masseria!”
Although the format might be like Love Island, the feel of the show is entirely different. It's natural, more diverse, and genuine. The men aren't forced to serve up trauma as entertainment, like many queer shows default to do, but they are honest about the trials of dating as gay men.
Twitter user @chrismegrath sung the show's praises, saying “I Kissed A Boy on @bbcthree is a game changer. It’s funny, it’s real, it’s wholesome, it’s EXACTLY what a dating show needs to be without all the bells and whistles. It destroyed my initial expansions. It’s an absolute must watch not just for the queer community but for everyone.” Meanwhile, @billyomalley13 said “I Kissed a Boy, what a beautiful bit of TV. The UK’s first gay dating show, it feels real and genuine. Especially Ollie talking about how toxic the LGBTQ+ community can be. A dating show, i can finally relate to and honestly enjoy.” User @grumpy_twink joked that it's “regressive heteronormative neoliberal assimilationist propaganda and brilliant 10/10," and @balf4our tweeted “I Kissed a Boy is so trash, cringy, anxiety inducing, I can’t wait for the next episode.”
It's about time we got some queer representation in reality TV. ‘I Kissed A Boy’ is refreshing, necessary and one small step in the right direction.
