November 26th 2024.
I absolutely adore reality TV. It's my guilty pleasure and I'll watch just about anything, as long as it's got that perfect mix of campy drama and meme-worthy moments. But there's one show that I've always had a hard time getting into: I'm A Celebrity. Don't get me wrong, I love me some reality television, but this one just always seemed a bit too...straight. You know what I mean? It's like the show for cricket fans and daytime TV enthusiasts without a hint of irony. And let's be real, it's never really been a show for people like me.
I think a big part of that has to do with the lack of LGBTQ+ representation in the jungle. Unlike other shows like Big Brother, which just crowned its second consecutive LGBTQ+ winner, I'm A Celebrity has only had two openly LGBTQ+ winners in its entire 22-year and 24-season history. Sure, there have been a few LGBTQ+ contestants here and there, but they've been few and far between. That is, until this year.
In 2022, Jill Scott took home the crown, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ winner in 15 years. And now, in this year's lineup, we have three openly LGBTQ+ contestants: GK Barry, Reverend Richard Coles, and Dean McCullough. And let me tell you, it's been a breath of fresh air. In just a few episodes, we've already had some important conversations about the LGBTQ+ experience around the campfire.
One of the standout moments for me was when Grace shared her coming out story with the rest of the camp. She told them about her first girlfriend, Ella Rutherford, and how she had only recently come out to her family. It was a beautiful moment, and now, it seems like every episode has a mention of Ella's name. It's wonderful to see this representation and these discussions happening on such a mainstream platform.
But it's not just about the LGBTQ+ campmates. There have been some other amazing moments that have really spoken to the community. Like when Tulisa revealed that she thinks she might be demisexual, a term that not many people were familiar with before she brought it up on the show. It's moments like these that can really make a difference and help people understand and embrace their own identities.
And let's not forget about the non-LGBTQ+ campmates who have also been having some important conversations. I mean, who would have thought that Coleen Rooney would become a detective like Jessica Fletcher, or that Maura Higgins would enter the jungle with the same energy and sharp wit as a fierce drag queen? And let's not even get started on Danny Jones from McFly, who revealed that the band showers together after every gig. I'm pretty sure Dean (and a lot of other gay men) will never be the same after hearing that.
I have to admit, after a couple of years of including some questionable politicians on the show, I was about ready to give up on I'm A Celebrity. But this year, with its diverse and LGBTQ-friendly lineup, it's been a total game-changer. And it's no coincidence that it's also been the best series yet. I don't think it was the network's intention to win over the LGBTQ+ community, but they've certainly won me over. And I'm not alone in this – the ratings are proof that this season has been a triumph for representation and inclusivity.
At the end of the day, one of the greatest things about being a part of the LGBTQ+ community is the friendships and connections we make with others. And it's been amazing to see those friendships blossoming on the show, especially between campmates who are 37 years apart in age. It goes to show that no matter where we are in our journey, we can all relate to and support each other through experiences like coming out, facing prejudice, and embracing our pride. And it's wonderful to see these conversations happening on such a huge platform. So let's keep celebrating and spreading the joy of LGBTQ+ representation on I'm A Celebrity.
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