I Kissed A Boy's First Trans Contestant Lars Fellows Says Casting 'Backlash' Is 'Rooted In Fear And Misinformation'

Lars Fellows in the I Kissed A Boy masseriaI Kissed A Boy contestant Lars Fellows is shutting down conversations from certain closed-minded critics about his appearance on the dating show.Earlier this month, the BBC dating show returned for its second season, with Lars making TV history as the first transgender man to take part in the show.Lars said in his official bio before the series began: “I am honestly so proud to be the first trans person on the show. Growing up, I never saw stories like mine reflected on screen, so to be a part of something that embraces and normalises LGBTQ+ relationships means the absolute world to me.“It’s messy, it’s joyful, it’s real and it is exactly the kind of representation we need.”View this post on InstagramA post shared by Lars Fellows | I KISSED A BOY S2 (@larsfellows)During the first episode, Lars was paired up by producers with fellow contestant Jack D, to whom he disclosed that he is trans shortly afterwards.In the following episodes, Lars told more of the group about his gender identity, and when he and Jack chose to remain friends, he was then seen pursuing a romance with another participant, Ruben Bø Dower.Unfortunately, though, since Lars’ first episodes of I Kissed A Boy aired, he has been at the centre of debates over his involvement, particularly within the right-wing media.While LGBTQ+ outlets like Pink News and Gay Times have praised Lars’ casting, The Telegraph claimed that I Kissed A Boy was “under fire” from critics who have called the move “homophobic” (the piece itself quoted the LGB Alliance, a controversial organisation which describes itself as “promot[ing] the rights of lesbians, bisexuals and gay men, as recognised by biological sex”, without including any commentary from trans groups or individuals).Similarly, GB News claimed that Lars’ involvement had “sparked controversy” while the Daily Mail also wrote about the supposed “backlash” alongside the LGB Alliance’s comments, which went as far as accusing the show of “coercing young gay men”.Lars initially brushed off the matter, reposting a screengrab of The Telegraph’s story on X and quipping: “I look hot.”I look hot 😘 https://t.co/VIoTvPzBjM— Lars (@larsfellows) May 15, 2025The following day, he added: “I don’t have the time or care to address every deranged comment but the obsession with me is quite unsettling and creepy. To everyone standing in my corner, thank you.“But honestly don’t even waste your energy – just keep living freely and I’ll be doing the same onI Kissed A Boy.”I don’t have the time or care to address every deranged comment but the obsession with me is quite unsettling and creepy. To everyone standing in my corner, thank you. But honestly don’t even waste ur energy - just keep living freely and I’ll be doing the same on #IKissedABoy 😉— Lars (@larsfellows) May 16, 2025He then shared a lengthier statement on Friday night, which read: “If people actually take the time to watch the show, they’ll see that I’m upfront about who I am. I openly acknowledge that not all gay men will be attracted to trans men — and that’s completely okay. I’ve never expected universal attraction, nor do I believe that having preferences makes someone transphobic.“Jack — the person I’m matched with - is told that I’m trans, and he’s okay with that. I didn’t go on the show to ‘trick’ or deceive anyone. I went on to explore love, connection, and to reflect the dating life I live outside of the show. I live as a man. I’m socialised as a man. I date men. That makes my presence on this show entirely valid.“My existence as a trans man in a gay dating space is not some ‘agenda’, and it certainly isn’t conversion therapy. That kind of accusation is rooted in fear and misinformation. Ironically, that fear only seems to arise when I’m perceived as a man – which just shows the deeper bias at play.”Lars continued: “You don’t get to speak for all gay men. Some are into trans men, and some aren’t. That’s life. Both are valid.“I’m a grown adult, and I can deal with rejection. I’m not here to make anyone be into me — I’m simply asking for the same freedom to live and love as anyone else. If you’re allowed to love who you love, then so am I.“Let’s also be clear: no one gets to define Jack’s sexuality for him. Trying to erase his identity or tell him who he’s ‘allowed’ to be attracted to is far more homophobic than anything I’m doing. My presence has been twisted into a threat – but this show is about celebrating love. That’s why I’m here. And that’s what truly matters.”The cast of I Kissed A Boy season twoHe concluded: “I’m not wasting any more time trying to explain myself to people who don’t want to understand. You’re not here for dialogue. You’re here for drama.“This app thrives on manufactured outrage and clickbait controversy. especially when it comes to anything that challenges your narrow view of the world.“It’s not about protecting gay spaces. It’s about fuelling a culture war for engagement, clout, and profit. And frankly, I’m not arsed to get involved anymore than I already have.”Read Lars’ full statement below:Right this is the last thing I’m going to say on this, because frankly, it’s getting boring now. #ikissedaboy 💋Ps Love you @its_jackd ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YbqbF7UGvd— Lars (@larsfellows) May 16, 2025A BBC spokesperson also told The Telegraph: “I Kissed a Boy is and always has been an inclusive dating show about finding love. All applicants are asked their dating preference, and they are matched accordingly.”Opening up about his gender identity in his I Kissed A Boy bio, Lars said: “I‘ve been through 16 years of my life as a girl. It’s aged me, but in a good way [...] The missing piece of the puzzle is a man!”He added that before coming out as trans, he “didn’t have an attraction to girls” and “always liked guys”, saying: “I felt like a gay guy trapped in a woman’s body.”During conversations with his fellow contestants, Lars also described his experiences of gender-affirming care, which he said “saved my life”.The first four episodes of I Kissed A Boy are now streaming on BBC iPlayer, with two new instalments coming every Saturday. Help and support: The Gender Trust supports anyone affected by gender identity | 01527 894 838Mermaids offers information, support, friendship and shared experiences for young people with gender identity issues | 0208 1234819LGBT Youth Scotland is the largest youth and community-based organisation for LGBT people in Scotland. Text 07786 202 370Gires provides information for trans people, their families and professionals who care for them | 01372 801554Depend provides support, advice and information for anyone who knows, or is related to, a transsexual person in the UKREAD MORE:David Tennant Shares His Take On JK Rowling As He Discusses His Allyship To Trans CommunityPedro Pascal Makes Timely Plea For Solidarity With Trans Women At Marvel PremierePaapa Essiedu Raises Eyebrows By Calling For Trans Support After Joining Harry Potter Series

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