Love Is Blind: When Race Is Unspoken but Present in Love and Sexual Health

As someone deeply invested in how Black people, bodies and stories are seen, and felt, I’ve been reflecting on the upcoming new season of Love Is Blind. The show’s concept is simple yet powerful: people date and form connections without seeing each other, entering “pods” where they can only speak, not judge by background or appearance, including skin color, cultural physical features or height (*see season one of Love is Blind: France*). While dating in the pods, the blind love seekers/daters are removed from potential distractions. They are phone, friend and family free. It’s a social experiment on love, vulnerability and connection stripped down to pure communication and conversation.

After watching seasonsss of Love is Blind: US and getting a peek into what Love is Blind dating looks like in other countries (albeit edited-made-for-TV versions), here’s what I notice and what I want to lift up as a new season approaches: Dating in the pods create a space to bypass first impressions; however, because the daters might choose or prefer to not reveal their racial or ethnic backgrounds (to avoid physical attributes impacting their potential love). As a result, the pod conversations often don’t always fully examine the racial, cultural and identity-based realities that shape who we are, especially as Black people. For Black cis and trans women, Black femmes and Black folks broadly, our experiences with love, desire and safety are often deeply intertwined with racial and cultural backgrounds. Our histories and realities don’t pause just because the pods are open, the cameras are on or race is removed from the conversation.

In the pods, and outside, I want to see more of that truth. In ways that feels affirming and honest, I want us to explore how race and culture shape our self-image, our stories and our expectations around love. I want to witness the fullness of Black joy, pain, complexity and liberation in spaces where love can blossom, including the pods. I am eager to have these topics and stories be understood as important context in our love journeys.

At Upspoken + RoyalTea, we talk about love as embodied and radical, a practice where your body is your compass, guiding you toward wellness, pleasure and joy. 

So, as the new season of Love is Blind unfolds, I’m bracing myself for the representation of Black people in search of love, being loved on and loving back, sharing their stories unapologetically, in all their brilliance and complexity.

Remember, our love deserves to be seen. And heard. And felt.