A new dating show, Hold My Hand, is believed to be the first series conducted entirely in British Sign Language (BSL), to challenge misconceptions about deaf relationships while celebrating BSL as a language and culture, producers say.<\/p>\n
The show is broadcast on Lumo TV, a deaf-led streaming platform for sign language users and sign-presented content. \u201cFor too long, the use of British Sign Language has been treated as an afterthought in mainstream entertainment and reality TV,\u201d said Lumo TV CEO Camilla Arnold. \u201cWith this series, we\u2019re flipping that on its head,\u201d she told the Guardian.<\/a><\/p>\n Hosted by deaf identical twin presenting duo, Hermon and Heroda Berhane, it features contestants who are either deaf or children of deaf adults (Codas) who would have used BSL to communicate with their parents.\u201cPeople have never seen our culture, our identity, the way we discuss things. So it\u2019s a dating show, yes, but it\u2019s not just about dating; it\u2019s also revealing our identity and our culture, and that has never been seen before,\u201d said Heroda Berhane.<\/p>\n The twins also hope the show will help challenge misconceptions around BSL, with research suggesting 71% of 18- to 24-year-olds would not feel confident dating someone who uses BSL as their main method of communication. Berhane describes BSL as \u201cjust another language\u201d, and encourages greater openness and curiosity from hearing audiences. <\/p>\n Across its first three episodes, which includes an instalment featuring LGBT+ singletons, contestants take part in light-hearted games that foster open conversations about relationships and intimacy.<\/p>\n We have to learn from one other. You speak the language that I cannot hear, and I speak a language that you don\u2019t understand<\/p>\n \u201cI really hope that hearing people realise, \u2018Gosh, deaf people, we\u2019re the same. There\u2019s no difference. We\u2019re all the same. We\u2019re human.\u2019\u201d said Heroda. \u201cThere is love, there is sex, there is joy, there is flirtation, and there\u2019s vulnerability as well. We\u2019re exactly the same.\u201d <\/p>\n Hermon adds that we have to learn from one another.\u00a0\u201cYou speak the language that I cannot hear, and I speak a language that you don\u2019t understand,\u201d she tells the Guardian.<\/p>\n Representation is also expanding in children\u2019s television. In a forthcoming storyline in Peppa Pig, Peppa\u2019s younger brother George will be diagnosed as moderately deaf and fitted with a hearing aid, following consultation with the National Deaf Children\u2019s Society to ensure an authentic portrayal.<\/p>\n Advocates say such visibility matters for the more than 50,000 deaf children in the UK. <\/p>\n Be part of the solution<\/p>\n At Positive News, we\u2019re not chasing clicks or profits for media moguls \u2013 we\u2019re here to serve you and have a positive social impact. We can\u2019t do this unless enough people like you choose to support our journalism.<\/p>\n Give once from just \u00a31, or join 1,800+ others who contribute an average of \u00a33 or more per month. Together, we can build a healthier form of media \u2013 one that focuses on solutions, progress and possibilities, and empowers people to create positive change.<\/p>\n