The Devastating Reality of Self-Doubt: A Reflection on I Kissed a Boy and the LGBTQ+ Experience
A poignant and thought-provoking article published in Attitude Magazine has shed light on the struggles of self-doubt and low self-esteem within the LGBTQ+ community. The piece, which has resonated with many, is a personal reflection on the author’s experiences and their observations of a contestant on the BBC Three gay dating series, I Kissed a Boy.
The article’s author recalls their own experiences in their 20s, frequenting Bristol’s gay bars and feeling utterly out of their depth. They wistfully note that if only someone had told them to "own it, your energy, nobody else here has what you’ve got – own it." These words of wisdom, shared with Adam on I Kissed a Boy, serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of self-acceptance and confidence.
For those unfamiliar with the show, I Kissed a Boy is a BBC Three series where contestants are matched with a partner and must navigate their feelings in a Spanish Masseria. The show’s premise is simple: contestants are paired with someone they’ve never met, and they must decide whether to pursue a connection or explore other relationships.
The contestant in question, Adam, is a marketing and brand manager from east London, who has been single for four years. He was matched with Ruben, an artist and designer, and their initial kiss was filled with chemistry. However, Adam’s self-esteem rapidly declined, and it became clear that he struggled to see his own worth. As Adam himself admitted, "I do like Ruben but I feel like I’m holding back because I don’t think I hold myself very high when it comes to appearance."
This sentiment is one that many can relate to, including the article’s author, who reflects on their own experiences of self-doubt and low self-esteem. They recall feeling like they didn’t measure up, worrying about their appearance, and being too afraid to approach someone they were interested in. The author notes that they "somehow thought
