I Kissed A Girl conversation about the word ‘lesbian’ is leaving people in tears

A discussion about the history behind the term lesbian has left I Kissed A Girl contestants and viewers in tears.

The BBC Three dating show, which premiered last night, is hosted by singer Dannii Minogue.

The programme follows the success of I Kissed A Boy last year, and will see 10 women try to find love, starting with a kiss.

On the second episode, which hits TV screens tonight, an emotional conversation between the group plays out.

Kicking it off is 28-year-old professional footballer Georgia, who asks the others if they know why L is the first letter in the LGBTQI+ umbrella term for queer people.

After many admit they don’t, she explains: ‘Back during the HIV and Aids epidemic, obviously that was gay men so nobody wanted to help really them.

I Kissed A Girl contestant Georgia has broken down in tears explaining the history of the term lesbian (Picture: BBC)

She was comforted by the others during the discussion (Picture: BBC)

‘It was lesbians that were helping them and nursing them,’ she continued, before breaking down in tears.

As she is comforted, some of the other girls say they are now emotional and begin crying themselves.

Later speaking to the camera, Georgia shares how being a lesbian is ‘something to be so proud of’.

The professional footballer, 28, is one of 10 contestants on the series (Picture: BBC/Twofour)

‘But I think a lot of the time, I don’t really know how to.’

She added: ‘I didn’t really know how deep and how many sort of emotions I had attached to the fact I actually struggled to say lesbian.’

Georgia then explained that while she is someone who is confident and proud of her sexuality, the term was something she was still adjusting to using.

The reality dating series is hosted by Dannii Minogue (Picture: BBC/Twofour)

‘It still bothers me when it shouldn’t because it’s such a good word,’ she said.

‘I need to just say to my younger self, “you are a lesbian”. Why would you not want to be a lesbian?’

She then said that lesbians who had come before were ‘badass’ and their contributions in history needed to be recognised and even taught in schools.

Viewers who have already watched the episode have spoken about the significance of the moment and how it will help educate others.

‘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,’ user Nat posted on X.

‘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,’ Nina shared.

‘Felt every second of this conversation. Love this show so much already. And it’s about bloody time us lesbians had a show,’ Lou added.

Others said they were ‘emotional’ after watching the clip.

Speaking about the scene, Dannii previously told Metro.co.uk about how the show smashes stereotypes by showing queerness doesn’t have one ‘look’.

‘Not only the look but, very interestingly, early on in the show, episode two… if you don’t bawl your eyes out watching this, I don’t know what’s wrong with you. The women speak to each other about how they are either comfortable or extremely uncomfortable with certain words,’ she said.

‘One girl might say, “I can’t stand the word lesbian and I don’t want to be labelled as a lesbian,” then another might say, “I love it! I love being a lesbian.” Then another girl says she never wants to be called queer… that one episode alone is such an education on what life experiences they’ve had to bring them to that point.’

She added that ‘by meeting each other in such an unusual situation to be with only other queer women, they don’t have to have their guard up or explain who they are’.

‘Conversations like that are very raw and real.’

Episodes 1 and 2 of I Kissed A Girl are available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Episodes will air on BBC Three every Sunday and Monday night at 9pm.

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