The importance of queer dating shows
For many younger viewers, ‘I Kissed a Girl/Boy’ was a beacon of hope. Unlike other dating shows, it was a chance for them to feel seen.
ENTERTAINMENT
Flora Irvine-Hall
7/9/20263 min read
"Actually gutted" [Image: Unsplash]
Following the cancellation of both ‘I Kissed a Girl’ and ‘I Kissed a Boy’, there has been a huge uproar online. And rightfully so.
While there seems to be thousands of long-running heterosexual dating shows, exclusively queer dating shows are hard to come by.
For many younger viewers, ‘I Kissed a Girl/Boy’ was a beacon of hope. Unlike other dating shows, it was a chance for them to feel seen.
Both shows opened up conversations about important topics such as transphobia, HIV and lesbian erasure.
Fans of the show were devasted, flocking to social media to share their disappointment:
“Actually gutted, seeing young, queer, romantic joy is unmatched,” wrote a Reddit user.
Nonchalant Magazine shared in Instagram post following the shows cancellation, with user commenting:
“This is honestly infuriating. LGBTQ representation on TV is already so limited, especially in reality shows. We need more of it, not less. Do better @bbc @bbciplayer.”
Many of the show's ex stars have spoken against the cancellation of the show, highlighting the importance of queer representation.
In an Instagram post, Jas Keren, who took part in the second season of ‘I Kissed a Boy’ wrote:
“I chose to take part in the show because it stood for something bigger than just reality TV. Watching the first seasons inspired me to go on and tell my own story, and I know from the messages and conversations I’ve had that it resonated with so many others too.
“Representation like that isn’t just about entertainment, it creates visibility, community and reassurance for people who may still [be] figuring themselves out.
“It’s cancellation feels like a wider problem. Queer spaces are disappearing, funding is being cut, and most importantly, basic rights are under attack.”
Keren is absolutely right, in a very unpredictable and frightening political climate, we need queer visibility and representation more than ever.
BBC cancelled 'I kissed a girl' and 'I kissed a boy' [Image: Getty Images]
Amy Spalding, a fan favourite from the first season of ‘I Kissed a Girl’, was also let down by the cancellation. In an Instagram reel, she said:
“Queer stories and queer storylines [are] sidelined while straight ones blossom in their thousands! Tale as old as time, except this time I really thought it was going to be different. I first hand saw how that positive representation of queer people on screens affected the community and how much good it did
“I mourn all of the good that have been done had the series been allowed to continue.”
Following the announcement of the show's cancellation, a spokesman for the BBC said:
“We are exceptionally proud of I Kissed a Boy/Girl, the UK’s first dating show for the LGBTQ+ community
“…Unfortunately, we have to make difficult choices in light of our funding challenges and there are no current plans for the show to return.”
It’s understandable that networks face challenges around funding and of course, television shows get cancelled all the time. But for many, this show was a lifeline.
And it’s not like they can’t make cuts while also keeping the show on air. For one thing, why does the show have to take place in Italy?
What’s infuriating is the double standard. There are over twenty localised versions of Love Island with the original UK version getting two seasons a year. Queer Love: The Ultimatum gets cancelled while it’s straight counterpart Marry or Move on, is still running.
Queer dating shows are sparse, so this cancellation is certainly a big loss which is why there’s a petition to save the show which to date has 8,994 signatures.
Hopefully, giving the outrage and the demand, the BBC will reconsider the show's cancellation.