Historically, LGBTQ+ dating shows have been absolutely iconic, chaotic, hilarious, and dramatic. Unfortunately, though, there haven't been that many of them over the years.
From chaotic bisexual dating shows in the 2000s to attempts of making queer versions of The Bachelor to ensemble reality competitions where LGBTQ+ cast members tried to find love, there have been quite a few "creative" attempts at putting together dating shows for queer people. Even though some of these shows or storylines weren't taken as seriously as their straight counterparts, LGBTQ+ people have been looking for representation wherever they can find it.
As of 2022, OUTtv announced that Stormy Daniels will host a gay dating show called For the Love of DILFs, which is scheduled to premiere in 2023. There have also been casting calls from Real Housewives producers who are reportedly currently working on an all-LGBTQ+ dating show.
As we keep waiting for a widely successful dating series that isn't centered on straight cis people, it's good to look back at the past attempts within this genre of reality TV.
Scroll through to see learn more about the major LGBTQ+ dating shows that have aired on TV and in streaming services - and find out where to watch them now!
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Vanjie: 24 Hours of Love
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo broke the internet after her legendary "Miss Vanjie" exit from RuPaul's Drag Race season 10. She then returned to compete in season 11 of the series, placing fifth overall. As of 2022, Vanjie got her very own dating show called Vanjie: 24 Hours of Love. In the end, she started dating contestant Jack Janowicz. Even though they dated for months, the couple no longer appears to be together.
Where to watch: WOW Presents Plus.
Are You the One? (Season 8)
For the first time in reality TV history, the eighth season of MTV's Are You the One? featured an all-LGBTQ+ cast of contestants. During that season, all contestants identified as pansexual, and the inclusion of a trans cast member was also extremely praised by viewers. There were all sorts of AYTO pairings as season eight came to an end, including MLW, MLM, and WLW.
Where to watch: Paramount+.
Ex on the Beach
For a few years now, MTV's Ex on the Beach has been featuring LGBTQ+ contestants on every single season. For instance, season five included Arisce Wanzer (trans woman), David Barta (pansexual man), Emily Salch (bisexual woman), Joelle Brian (gay man), Jonathan Troncoso (gay man), Kyra Green (bisexual woman), and Mike Mulderrig (bisexual man).
Where to watch: MTV.
Finding Prince Charming
One of the first major gay dating shows to happen on cable TV was 2016's Finding Prince Charming. This series from Logo TV featured Atlanta-based interior designer Robert Sepulveda Jr. as the lead, as well as eight contestants vying for his love and attention. Ultimately, Sepulveda chose Eric Leonardos as the winner, but their relationship didn't last long after the show.
Where to watch: Logo TV.
The Ultimatum: Queer Love
The upcoming spin-off series of Netflix's The Ultimatum will feature an all-LGBTQ+ cast. Given how messy and entertaining the first season was, viewers are looking forward to seeing how this series plays out with LGBTQ+ cast members. The upcoming series will be hosted by JoAnna Garcia Swisher.
Where to watch: Netflix.
Bobby I Love You, Purrr
After going through a very public breakup with his ex-boyfriend, social media influencer and reality TV star Bobby Lytes landed his own gay dating show titled Bobby I Love You, Purrr. The series featured 15 guys competing for Lytes' love... and let's just say that things got really messy along the way!
Where to watch: The Zeus Network.
Bachelor in Paradise (season six)
Overall, ABC's The Bachelor has been overwhelmingly straight (and mostly white) when it comes to its choices for leads and contestants. However, the franchise did feature one singular LGBTQ+ storyline in season six of Bachelor in Paradise when contestant Demi Burnett revealed that she had just gotten into a relationship with a woman prior to filming the show. The woman in question - who had never appeared on television before - was Kristian Haggerty, who was brought into Bachelor in Paradise and ended the season engaged to Burnett.
Where to watch: HBO Max.
The Bi Life
Right after winning Celebrity Big Brother 21 in the UK, Courtney Act was hired as the host of a bisexual dating show called The Bi Life. The series wasn't necessarily received well by the critics or the public, but it was still a TV show that made history for its wide visibility of bisexual people on reality television.
Where to watch: Hayu (select locations).
12 Dates of Christmas
HBO Max's 12 Dates of Christmas was a truly groundbreaking LGBTQ+ dating show. On season one, the show featured three leads, one of whom was a gay man. Viewers then got to know all the love interests who came into the show to pursue a relationship with him. In season two, the three leads consisted of a straight man, a gay man, and a lesbian woman. This meant that two thirds of the entire cast consisted of LGBTQ+ love interests vying for either the gay lead or the lesbian lead. Unfortunately, HBO Max has completely deleted this TV show from its catalog.
Where to watch: Unavailable.
The One That Got Away
The One That Got Away was a very interesting dating competition from Amazon Prime Video where cast members had the opportunity to reconnect with a special someone who they considered "the one that got away." When it comes to LGBTQ+ representation, the series featured a gay couple: Jeff Perla and Alex Van Gurp.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video.
Who Likes My Follower?
Netflix's Who Likes My Follower? is a dating show from Spain that follows three successful social media influencers attempting to find love. Though this isn't as popular of a show as others due to language barriers, the series does include a lot of LGBTQ+ representation over the course of six episodes.
Where to watch: Netflix.
Next
The campy and hilarious Next aired on MTV between 2005 and 2008. Over the years, there were a few instances when LGBTQ+ contestants were included on the show and showcased inside the iconic Next RV. Generally, the format consisted of a series of blind dates involving as many as five people at times.
Where to watch: Paramount+.
A Shot At Love With Tila Tequila
It was pretty groundbreaking for social media personality Tila Tequila to identify as bisexual back in the 2000s and land her very own bisexual dating show on MTV. On A Shot At Love, a total of 16 straight men and 16 lesbian women vied for Tequila's love. In subsequent years, Tequila went on to become a very problematic person and also denied ever being attracted to women in any way, claiming that she only did and said such things for the sake of A Shot At Love.
Where to watch: Unavailable.
