I’m A Celeb’s unlikiest friendship is giving me hope for the next generation

Though progress has been made in recent years, the presence of queer characters in TV shows and films remains disappointingly sparse, which is exactly why I am enthralled by the budding friendship between Reverend Richard Coles and GK Barry on I’m A Celeb.

GK Barry and Reverend Richard Coles are part of this year’s I’m A Celeb crop alongside other names like Maura Higgins, Coleen Rooney, and Danny Jones. Though no one expected the Christian priest to be besties with a lesbian influencer, stranger things have happened in the Australian jungle.

Reality TV offers a great slice of queer lives

“Who’s the most interesting person you’ve ever met?”

“I think I’m looking at her”

Sorry why am I sobbing at this friendship between GK Barry and Reverend Richard #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/jFEJJEScpb

— sᴜᴘᴇʀ ᴛᴠ (@superTV247) November 25, 2024

Heartstopper, Interview with a Vampire, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Orange Is the New Black, and Pose are just a few examples of queer-leading projects to hit the headlines in the last few years. In 2024 pop culture queer people have a lot to be thankful for, but unfortunately, those examples are the exception, not the rule.

When queer characters do appear, they’re often reduced to caricatures, built on outdated stereotypes that do more harm than good. These portrayals are miles from the rich, nuanced reality of everyday LGBTQ+ people.

The landscape and structure of reality TV tell a slightly different story.

Though scripted “reality” shows like Made in Chelsea or the Real Housewives franchise offer a performative take on identity, with viewers constantly questioning if what they are viewing is real, shows like Big Brother, I’m A Celeb, and Traitors give more authentic and varied depictions of queer people. I would include Love Island in that list if they bothered to cast queer people.

We need more representation like GK Barry and Reverend Richard Coles

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This year, watching I’m A Celeb introduced me to two role models I didn’t even know I needed: GK Barry, a proud Gen Z lesbian, and Reverend Richard Coles, a former member of the Church of England who has always been outspoken about his identity.

In Monday night’s episode, the priest and the influencer – arguably the start of a very funny joke – sat down to discuss sexuality and its role in religious faith.

“Did you find it quite difficult being gay and doing that job?” GK Barry questioned, to which the Reverend replied, “No, not at all. I’ve never given it a moment’s twinge of anxiety over whether God thought it was alright or not. Whether other people thought it was alright or not, well I’m happy to have that argument. Also, I was not the first. Sometimes I look at documents from the early church, or the church of the middle ages and I just think – so gay.”

Soon enough, the two I’m A Celeb cast members were casually chatting about sexual acts, with GK Barry revealing that she’d been sent to a “Jesus-y camp type thing” where she’d been told to wait until marriage.

“It’s a lesbian [thing]. I think you’d be alright not knowing, I guess it wouldn’t affect you,” she said when the good Reverend asked what scissoring was.

The scene was heartwarming

I’m obsessed with the fact GK Barry’s befriended a reverend who she’s discussing scissoring with #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/NfJYfTZJJI

— Steven Bonaventure x (@absolutegazelle) November 25, 2024

Watching the casual discussion about the complexities of sexuality unfold on screen was heartwarming; a poignant moment, made even more powerful by the context of Tulisa’s coming-out story earlier in the week.

It’s a reminder that the jungle isn’t just a collection of trees, rocks, and looming cameras, but a space that fosters acceptance and candid conversations.

I found myself smiling as I watched the discussion. The way they talked about these often-stigmatized topics echoed how a straight person might chat about their life—without shame, theatrics, or reliance on damaging stereotypes. It was humanizing, and refreshing.

My mind then turned to queer youth watching at home. Many may not feel safe enough to discuss their identities openly with friends or family, so for them, seeing these raw, relatable queer individuals on their TV screens could make all the difference. The moment affirms that being queer is not something to hide and that healthy, open discussions about identity are not only possible but normal.

Representation matters.

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