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Love Island in all forms from the UK to the USA may have a reputation as a super straight dating show, however, these islanders sprinkled in the queer flavor here and there.
Whether they came out before or after the villa, these 10 islanders contributed to more inclusion, diversity, and acceptance for LGBTQ+ folks in reality TV!
Sophie Gradon
ITV Studios
We can't start this list without the iconic Sophie Gradon! She was part of the FIRST same-sex recoupling in Love Island history. Gradon passed away in 2018 and left a legacy.
Curtis Pritchard
Curtis Pritchard, known from the iconic fifth season of Love Island UK and his relationship with Maura Higgins, also came out as fluid. In an interview with The Sun, he said, "I've been with women and I'm with a woman now. You can never put a label on anything. It’s a cliché to say, but love is blind. I can never ever say what will happen in the future. I wouldn’t rule anything out."
Amber Gill
In 2022, Love Island UK season 5 contestant Amber Gill confirmed she was bisexual. The fellow islander was dating footballer Jen Beattie following her time in the villa.
Kyra Green
Kyra Green entered the villa twice, once on Love Island USA and then again on Love Island Games. She came out as bisexual early on and continues to advocate for the community. Since the show, Green and her family have blown up on TikTok. Both her and her father make content about being bisexual as well!
Kassy Castillo
Queen Kassy, of course, makes the list! Most notable from her romance with Johnnie Garcia on season five of Love Island USA. Although Castillo said she had never dated girls before, it never stopped her from pursuing Garcia.
Johnnie Garcia
This bombshell turned Love Island USA upside down on season five. After ending things with Leonardo Dionicio, she turned her attention to Kassy Castillo. Garcia opened up about being bisexual and eventually became part of one of the hottest showmances in Love Island history.
Katie Salmon
Katie Salmon is the other half of the first same-sex couple in Love Island history. Both her and Sophie Gradon changed the rules and followed their hearts. Both women, unfortunately, faced tons of backlash.
Nicholas Birchall
Birchall made a splash on the fourth season of Love Island USA. Soon after his arrival, he decided to leave the villa voluntarily.
Birchall took to his Instagram following his departure and wrote:
"Even though the Villa didn’t ultimately end up feeling like the right place to say my truth, I still wanted to share it with y’all and take this weight off my shoulders. Bisexual men don’t have very much representation on TV and after being home with my family, I realized I still want to be that role model and use my given platform to encourage inclusivity in media. I’m excited to be that guy for every person who has ever felt uncomfortable/unhappy with who they are."
Courtney Stark
Ms. Stark made her appearance on Love Island USA season four. Stark was one of the first islanders who came into the villa out and proud. In an interview with PRIDE, she even pushed for more bisexual representation on the show. "Incorporating more bi contestants would be really interesting," the islander said. "I think that would be cool because I would have loved to have more women who were openly part of the community in there."
Sharon Gaffka
The levels of bisexual energy within this article could cause a stroke. Last but not least, THE Sharon Gaffka.
Gaffka came out on Love Island UK season seven. Following her time in the villa, she continued to push for LGBTQ+ representation on TV. In an interview with Metro UK, she said, "Wouldn't it be even better if we combined the two things and the show prominently featured LGBTQ+ contestants? As someone who's previously opened up on the show about my bisexuality, I'd welcome this wholeheartedly."
