This Russian Reality TV Show is Literally Called “I’m Not Gay” and…It’s Pretty Gay

Russia, at this point, is building its whole national identity around homophobia (when it’s not busy attacking Ukraine, that is.) So it should come as no surprise that Vitaly Milonov, the far-right Russian politician responsible for promoting anti-gay propoganda and in general being very outspoken about how much he hates queer people. You wouldn’t think that that would be a strong enough hook for a reality show, but that’s precisely what YouTube is for.

Vitaly Milonov, the State Duma deputy who spearheaded Russia’s ban on “gay propaganda,” is cohosting a YouTube show called “I’m not gay,” where 8 contestants’ heterosexuality is tested & there are elimination rounds to find the one gay guy. 🤮 https://t.co/OgQj51W4Dw pic.twitter.com/1QJ2UKX7ZA

— Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) April 26, 2022

And honestly…for a show about homophobia, this show looks hilariously gay.

forcing myself to stop watching the russian “i’m not gay” show but these opening credits have SENT ME pic.twitter.com/Es0WX8yPjM

— the morally corrupt juan barquin (@woahitsjuanito) April 26, 2022

I mean…this is beyond camp. Also, this concept, while ridiculous to many, isn’t confined to Russia. As critic Juan Barquin points out, there was a quite similar UK program (hosted by everyone’s problematic fave Jameela Jameel) that put its own twist on the fun “which of these dudes won’t f*ck me” concept:

If you’re offended by this, I would like to remind you of the existence of PLAYING IT STRAIGHT: a show where one woman spent time with a bunch of men trying to figure out who was straight, eliminating the gay ones.

The UK version was, at one point, hosted by Jameela Jamil. pic.twitter.com/kPU5QCH3ma

— the morally corrupt juan barquin (@woahitsjuanito) April 26, 2022

If you’re ready to watch the whole thing, be my guest!