BBC viewers praise 'real' moment from 'emotional' new dating show fans are already obsessed with
BBC Three's I Kissed A Girl, presented by Dannii Minogue, is finally on our screens and it has captured our hearts already.
The reality dating show that places ten single and queer women into a luxurious masseria in Italy launched yesterday (5 May).
The format of the show was commissioned after the success of I Kissed A Boy, the UK's first gay dating show, which aired last year and was also hosted by icon and ally Dannii.
The premise is simple - producers match up two women who meet for the first time and share a kiss, and they then get to decide whether to stay in their 'couple' or explore other options.
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I have been crying out for a queer women's dating show for many years, and it did not disappoint.
There has already been drama, heart-warming moments and tons of chemistry.
But it was a conversation between the contestants that happened in the second episode, available on BBC iPlayer, that has got people talking the most.
In an instance of genuinely moving reality TV, many of the I Kissed A Girl cast are sat near the pool, enjoying the sun.
Professional footballer for Rugby Borough Georgia, 28, leads the conversation, asking how the fellow women identify in terms of sexuality - and whether or not they use the word 'lesbian'.
23-year-old Priya, from Newport, responds: "I don’t mind it, really and truly, I use it. I don’t know why people shy away from that word.”
Naee, 25, from South London, replies: "I just say I'm gay. I don't like using the word lesbian."
The show then features footage from Georgia's confessional, in which she opens up about the way 'lesbian' has been used in her life.
She recalls being asked if she's a 'f***ing lesbian' in an obviously derogatory manner during her younger years.
She then adds: "It is a word that has been taken and made negative. Growing up, it was used in a way that suggested something was wrong with you."
Georgia then asks the others: "Do you know why the letter L comes first in LGBTQ+?"
Everyone admits they're unsure.
Georgia goes on to powerfully explain: "Back with the HIV and AIDS epidemic... obviously it was gay men.
"It was lesbians that were helping them, and nursing them."
Then Georgia gets visibly upset, breaking down in tears where the rest of the women, many of whom are also emotional, console her.
The episode then cuts away again to Georgia's confessional, where she emotionally admits: "Being a lesbian is something to be so proud of, but a lot of the time I don’t really know how to.
"I didn’t realise how deep, and how many emotions I had attached to the fact that I struggle to actually say ‘lesbian’.
“I am obviously quite confident and I’m proud of my sexuality but it still bothers me when it shouldn’t because it’s such a good word.”
Cutting back to the masseria, 22-year-old chef and drummer Fiorenza reflects on what she's just learned.
"Why is that not said more?" she asks, and Georgia says lesbian history should be taught in schools.
22-year-old student Lisha says: "You know what? After that story I can't wait to go out and just tell people I'm a f***ing lesbian," before everyone erupts into cheers.
People have rushed to X, formerly Twitter, to share their reactions.
One person wrote: "As someone who used to struggle with using the word lesbian to identify myself, seeing this conversation on mainstream television made me really emotional."
Another said: "This warms my heart. Lesbian IS a beautiful word and we shouldn't feel ashamed of it and be proud, we should have more of such positive reaction esp on television."
A third added: "How many of you know why the L comes first in LGBTQIA+? I remember hearing about this a couple of years ago and feeling proud about what they did."
The first two episodes of I Kissed A Girl are available on BBC iPlayer, and new episodes air every Sunday and Monday on BBC Three at 9pm.
Topics: BBC, Reality TV, Dating
Kya Buller