Yahoo News Love Island star hit by backlash from LGBTQ+ community
Former Love Island star Katie Salmon has revealed that she received a backlash over her relationship with Sophie Gradon on the 2016 series.
Katie was the first openly bisexual contestant on the show, and the pair became the first same-sex couple on the ITV2 series.
However, the reality star has admitted that she was not well received by some in the LGBTQ+ community, telling Victoria Derbyshire: "In the villa I was so scared because I didn't know what the outside world was thinking, what my family was thinking, what my friends were thinking.
"So I was really upset to be honest that they'd not supported me from my own community, who had probably felt those feelings, those nervous feelings of coming out."
She continued: "Why can't I be who I want to be? There's nothing to be ashamed of, there's nothing to feel bad about. You're completely normal, and there's so many people out there like you. As long as you love you that's all that matters."
During the interview, Katie also explained how her sexuality has been undermined by men, adding: "They see it as a sexual thing. They think it's entertainment for them. They'll be like, 'Oh, you like women as well, you like threesomes?'"
Former star Sophie sadly passed away back in June aged just 32, with a flood of tributes pouring in – including from Katie, who wrote: "Fly high beautiful so high!"
Her family also released a statement, saying: "Our hearts are broken. We wish to say our goodbyes to Sophie in private, so we ask that you respect our family's privacy during this arduous time."
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