As a queer person, an LGBTQ+ Love Island is the last thing I would ever want

As an openly queer person, my favourite part of Love Island is the fact we get to watch a bunch of horny heterosexuals barely speak to one another and attempt to fall in love. This season is ten weeks long and the heteronormativity already has the villa in a complete chokehold (for context, it hasn’t even been on for five days yet). Every single year without fail the Islanders work very hard to be the best stereotypical male or female the show has ever seen. Love Island is so heteronormative it HURTS.

Here’s a rundown of why the last thing we need is is a LGBTQ+ Love Island:

Let’s not forget, Love Island has had queer contestants before

via ITV2

Over the years we’ve had LGBTQ+ Islanders enter the villa. Sophie Gradon and Katie Salmon coupled up back in 2016, then 2018 Islander Megan Barton Hanson openly identifies as bisexual same as Sharon from last year. But because of how straight and gendered the show is, their sexualities were completely sidelined. The show is too predictable, but I don’t think a queer Love Island would be any more interesting to watch – if anything it would damage our community.

The producers have said including gay Islanders would be a ‘logistical difficulty’

Last year, producer Amanda Stavri stated including gay Islanders on the show would be a “logistical difficulty”. And ITV boss Kevin Lygo said that including queer people on Love Island “wouldn’t be suitable for the show”. This was just downright insulting, our sexuality shouldn’t be a “logistical difficulty” – we are not the problem, the producers are. This is just another reason why I wouldn’t want a queer Love Island because the producers clearly wouldn’t take it seriously.

The boys this year are bad vibes

via ITV2

At the end of the very first episode, the Islanders played a game of dares to break the ice, picking cards out of a box. Amber picked a card which told her to give her best chat up line “to the girl you fancy the most”. Luca said “you can’t do that”, why can’t she? I think that whole bit just left a bad taste in my mouth and made me question the boys on this season. It was weird and didn’t sit right with me.

Obviously though there wouldn’t be heterosexual people in the villa if it was an LGBTQ+ Love Island but that doesn’t mean the reactions online would be any nicer. In fact, if anything, the online reaction to Love Island would probably be homophobic, hateful and a really shit place to be. It takes us such a long time for us to accept who we are and it’s scary thinking all of that can be destroyed by a few reactions to one episode of trash TV.

But look, I don’t have a problem with queer people wanting to be on telly – in fact I’m all for it. But having an LGBTQ+ Love Island would just make us a huge target for online bullying, homophobia and hate which we need to deal with daily regardless of being on Love Island or not.

Love Island 2022 continues on ITV2 at 9pm tonight. For all the latest Love Island news and gossip and for the best memes and quizzes, like The Holy Church of Love Island on Facebook. 

Feature image courtesy of ITV2.

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