Thousands sign petition demanding renewal of I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl: ‘Representation matters’

Thousands of people have signed a petition demanding the BBC continue to produce I Kissed a Boy and I Kissed a Girl, after it was announced the queer franchise had been axed.

I Kissed a Boy, the first series in the franchise, aired in 2023 and broke ground as the first dating show on British TV to solely feature LGBTQ+ men. In 2024 I Kissed a Girl, an all-women version, was launched that followed the same format as its sibling show.

The premise of both programmes sees 10 singles enter a gorgeous Italian masseria. Each contestant is instantly matched up with a potential partner and, before even learning each other’s names, they share a kiss to see if sparks fly.

During the course of the series, the singletones mingle with each other and build new friendships and romantic connections while new bachelors and bachelorettes enter at various points to heat up the mix.

At the ‘kiss off’, each pair decides whether they want to stay together by sealing the deal with a kiss. Those who remain un-kissed have to leave the show single.

Last week, the BBC said there were “no current plans” for either show to return after season two of I Kissed A Girl airs later this year, with the broadcaster blaming “funding challenges” for the decision.

“We are exceptionally proud of I Kissed A Boy/Girl, the UK’s first dating show for the LGBTQ+ community. We would like to thank our fabulous cupid Dannii Minogue and the entire team at Twofour for bringing the series to screen,” the statement read.

“Unfortunately, we have to make difficult choices in light of our funding challenges and there are no current plans for the show to return.”

Fans of the LGBTQ+ dating shows were, unsurprisingly, absolutely devastated and called on other broadcasters to pick up the franchise and save it.

Pop star, gay icon and host Dannii Minogue lamented the show’s loss and said being involved with it was “the most special experience”, while IKAG contestant Amy Spalding said she was “devastated but unsurprised”.

“Who’s surprised? Queer storylines and queer stories [are being] sidelined again whilst straight storylines blossom in their thousands,” Spalding said.

Since the news broke, a petition – which has nearly 9,000 signatures – has been launched, aimed at convincing TV bosses both shows are worth saving given the importance they hold for the LGBTQ+ community.

“For decades, LGBTQ+ audiences have fought for a seat at the table in mainstream media. When the BBC launched I Kissed a Boy and its follow-up I Kissed a Girl, it felt like a breakthrough. For the first time, queer joy, dating, and community were given the high-production, primetime treatment usually reserved for heteronormative reality TV,” the petition’s description reads.

“Now, that progress is under threat.

“Recent reports and budget shifts show that the future of these groundbreaking series, and others like them are in jeopardy. By failing to ring-fence funding for queer-led programming, the BBC is effectively telling the LGBTQ+ community that our stories are “disposable” luxuries rather than essential public service broadcasting.”

“The BBC is funded by the taxpayer – which includes millions of LGBTQ+ people,” it continued. Under its Royal Charter, the BBC has a duty to “reflect the diversity of the UK”, adding the show is a vital lifeline for queer people in isolated or rural areas and “representation shouldn’t be the first thing on the chopping block when budgets get tight”.

In response, signatories shared their own reasons for putting their names to the petition, including wanting to ensure authentic queer representation remains accessible on TV.

“We benefit so much from true representation in TV shows like this. How can you justify cancelling this show when there’s so many straight versions available with multiple seasons,” one signatory named Katie wrote. “It’s not right.”

Another fan, named Ayesha, said: “This just shows that LGBTQ rights don’t end at marriage equality; rights include having representation and seeing yourself in mainstream media and if we keep stripping away queer people’s chance to see themselves in real people in shows like this, we’re going backwards not forward with our representation. That’s why we need I Kissed a Girl/Boy and other shows like this. If there is a budget to fund season after season of straight dating shows like Love Island, why is there not a budget for queer dating shows too?”

“This show actually made me feel seen for once. It allowed me to watch a show with people I was comfortable watching and I’ll never regret watching it,” a third person, named Hannah, wrote.