In the idyllic confines of Northern Ireland, 28-year-old Gareth Graham spent his formative years as an outsider due to his sexual orientation. Once plagued by anxiety, Graham has since come out and embraced his identity, prepared to enter the spotlight as a contestant on the UK’s first-ever gay dating show, ‘I Kissed a Boy’ on BBC Three.
An Authentic Reflection of the LGBTQ+ Community
This groundbreaking show, filmed in Italy and hosted by popstar Danni Minogue, breaks away from the conventional dating show format. Ten single men are paired by producers based on shared interests and preferences. Their introduction? A kiss that determines whether they wish to pursue a relationship. While drama and love-searching remain staple elements of the show, Graham emphasizes its unique relatability.
According to Graham, the series celebrates body positivity and diversity, offering a refreshing departure from the unrealistic beauty standards often prevalent in reality TV. “This show is more relatable. It’s not a room full of Ken and Barbie dolls. It challenges what beauty is,” he says.
A Journey from Secrecy to Spotlight
In his early life in Kilkeel, Graham often felt isolated due to his sexuality. He secretly found solace in fashion and music, fearing the judgment of his traditionally oriented community. However, now he feels a sense of pride in being part of a show that represents people like him. “I really hope that some child who is feeling not accepted will watch this and feel proud of who they are,” Graham asserts.
Challenging Toxic Masculinity and Promoting Acceptance
Despite his progress, Graham has had to grapple with “toxic masculinity” within the gay dating scene, a recurring theme he hopes the show will help address. “We deserve to be here; we need to exist as ourselves, not some version of ourselves that isn’t authentic,” he insists.
With societal acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community still a work in progress, especially in Northern Ireland, Graham hopes ‘I Kissed a Boy’ will serve as both an entertaining and enlightening watch. The show’s primary message, he says, is simple yet profound: “We just want to find love like everyone else.”
The first episode of ‘I Kissed A Boy’ premiered on the BBC iPlayer, with remaining episodes to air on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.