List of reality television programs with LGBT cast members
This is a List of reality television programs that include real life lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, pansexual, or otherwise LGBT, persons in the cast. Reality programs that feature an LGBTQ+ theme, with or without LGBT cast members, are included.
1970s
| Year | Title | Network | Cast member | Notes |
| 1973 | An American Family | PBS | Lance Loud |
1990s
| Year | Title | Network | Cast member | Notes |
| 1998– | The Challenge | MTV | Ryan Kehoe Evelyn Smith Laurel Stucky Marlon Williams Shane Raines Natalie Negrotti Gus Kenworthy Hennessy Carolina Jozea Flores | |
| 1996-1998 | All Rise for Julian Clary | Julian Clary | "Judge" Julian Clary hears cases of disputes between friends and neighbors. | |
| 1995-2007 | Road Rules | MTV | Sophia Pasquis Shane Landrum Rachel Robinson Danny Dias Nick Haggart Ivory Martinez LaMonte Ponder Mike Flatley | |
| 1992– | The Real World | MTV | Norman Korpi Beth Anthony Pedro Zamora Dan Renzi Genesis Moss Stephen Williams Ruthie Alcaide Justin Deabler Danny Roberts Coral Smith Chris Beckman Aneesa Ferreira Simon Sherry-Wood Karamo Brown Willie Hernández Tyler Duckworth Davis Mallory Shauvon Torres Katelynn Cusanelli J.D. Ordonez Sarah Rice Ayiiia Elizarraras Derek Chavez Emily Schromm Mike Manning Preston Robertson James Frank Sweeney Sam McGinn Marlon Williams Arielle Scott Ashley Ceaser Nicole Zanatta Chris Hall Dondre Randolph Yasmin Almokhamad | Late teens and 20-somethings living together, some LGBT roommates. While most gay, lesbian and bisexual cast members' sexuality were discussed or shown on the program. Coral did not come out of the closet until years after her season had ended. Norman dated Charles Perez on-camera, which had the effect of outing Perez. Pedro Zamora dated Sean Sasser on the show and the two exchanged vows in an on-air commitment ceremony. Despite a confrontation with a castmate ending with him being called a homosexual, Williams did not come out until a subsequent reunion special. Marlon identified as having bisexual tendencies in the course of the series, later publicly moved away from so identifying, before coming out as bisexual on The Challenge. Arielle and Ashley are ex-girlfriends brought together for a season dubbed "Real World: Ex-plosion". |
2000s
| Year | Title | Network | Cast member | Notes |
| 2009– | The Fashion Show | Bravo | Jeffrey Williams | Williams is the winner of season 2. |
| 2009– | Ghost Hunters Academy | Syfy | Adam Berry | As the winner of season 1.5, Berry joined the cast of Ghost Hunters. |
| 2009– | Chopped | Food Network | Ted Allen | Allen, formerly the food expert on Queer Eye, is the presenter. |
| 2009– | Top Chef Masters | Bravo | Suvir Saran | |
| 2009– | RuPaul's Drag Race | Logo and VH1 since 2017 | RuPaul and the contestants Santino Rice Ross Mathews Carson Kressley | RuPaul chooses from among drag queens to decide who will be "the next drag superstar". Rice, Mathews, and Kressley are judges. Most of the contestants are gay men. Other contestants Sonique, Kenya Michaels, Carmen Carrera, Jiggly Caliente, Monica Beverly Hillz, Gia Gunn, and Peppermint are transgender women. |
| 2009– | Holly's World | E! | Josh Strickland | |
| 2009– | Cake Boss | TLC | Tony "Tone Tone" Albanese | Albanese is an intern during season 1. |
| 2009 | Undercover Princes | BBC Three | Manvendra Singh Gohil | |
| 2009 | Tacky House | Style | Thom Filicia | Former Queer Eye design guru redoes homes for people who have gone overboard on a theme. |
| 2009 | NYC Prep | Bravo | Peter "PC" Peterson | PC is one of the characters the show follows. While in Mexico on vacation his friend outs him as bisexual to two girls on the beach. His bisexuality is acknowledged later in the series by another character, Taylor, who in an interview makes remarks about his bisexuality. |
| 2009 | Miami Social | Bravo | Follows the lives of seven friends in Miami. | |
| 2008-2010 | She's Got The Look | TV Land | Robert Verdi Paula Thomas Sandy Young | Robert served on the judges panel. Paula and Sandy identify as lesbians. |
| 2008-2009 | Bromance | MTV | Michael Flatley | |
| 2008 | Transamerican Love Story | Logo | Calpernia Addams Alec Mapa Andrea James Jim | Dating show in which the transgender woman Addams must select from among eight suitors, including Jim, who is himself transgender. James is Addams' confidant. Mapa is the host. |
| 2008-2009 | Make Me a Supermodel | Bravo | Ronnie Kroell Jenny Shimizu Chris Cohen C. J. Kirkham Shawn Nishikawa | Modeling competition show. Ronnie had a bromance with straight fellow model Ben DiChiara. C. J. is bisexual. Shimizu joined the show in season 2 as a judge. Shawn had been married to a man for eight years as of the taping. |
| 2008– | Out of the Wild | Discovery Channel | Jake Nodar Rob Lacombe | |
| 2008–2013 | The Rachel Zoe Project | Bravo | Brad Goreski | Goreski was Zoe's assistant and style consultant for the first three seasons. |
| 2008 | A Shot at Love II with Tila Tequila | MTV | Tila Tequila | Follow-up to the original 2007 series. |
| 2007– | Deserving Design | HGTV | Vern Yip | |
| 2007– | Paranormal State | A&E | Ryan Buell | Buell came out as bisexual in his 2010 memoir. |
| 2007– | Flipping Out | Bravo | Jeff Lewis Gage Edward | Series about Lewis, who buys houses and "flips" them for profit. Edward, Lewis's boyfriend, joined the series in season 5 as his assistant. |
| 2007 | Any Dream Will Do | BBC One | Graham Norton John Barrowman Daniel Boys | Reality singing competition to cast the lead in a new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Norton was the presenter. Barrowman sat on the judge's panel. |
| 2007 | A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila | MTV | Tila Tequila | Dating show in which groups of straight men and lesbian women vie for the affections of bisexual Tequila. |
| 2007-2009 | Dress My Nest | Style | Thom Filicia | Home makeover show by former Queer Eye interior design expert. |
| 2006– | The X Factor | ITV | Joe McElderry Lucy Spraggan Rylan Clark-Neal Honey G | Joe McElderry was the first gay contestant to win the sixth series of The X Factor in 2009. Lucy Spraggan auditioned for the ninth series in 2012, and is the first lesbian the enter the competition. Rylan Clark-Neal also entered that year and is openly gay. Honey G was the first rapper to enter the UK's biggest show for over a decade, auditioned for the thirteenth series in 2016, and came out as a lesbian half a year later. |
| 2006-2017 | Bad Girls Club | Oxygen | Ty Colliers Cordelia Carlisle Florina Kaja Brandi Arceneaux Lea Beaulieu Christina Hopkins Sydney Steinfeldt Shelly Hickman Judi Jai Erica Figueroa Julie Ofcharsky Zuly Ramos Stephanie George Jenniffer Hardwick Raquel "Rocky" Santiago Tess Mett Stephanie Rivera Tiana Small Shanae Thomas Alyssa "Redd" Carswell Jonica "Blu" Booth Aysia Garza Raesha Clanton Kat Florek Beatrice "Ginger" Miller Olivia "Liv" Adams Diamond Jimenez Elliadria "Persuasian" Griffin Kailie Lima Zee Carrino Kandyce Hogan Kabrina Nashaye Deshayla "Shay" Harris Sayyora Badalbaeva Seven Craft | Ty, Cordelia, Flo, Brandi, Lea, Sydney, Judi, Erica, Julie, Stephanie G, Tess, Stephanie R, Tiana, Shanae, Aysia, Raesha, Ginger, Angela, Elliadria, Kailie, Zee, Kabrina, Sayyora and Seven are bisexual. Christina, Shelly, Zuly, Rocky, Redd, Blu, Kat, Olivia, Diamond, Kandyce and Deshayla are lesbians. After their respective seasons, Zuly and Rocky dated, as did Jenniffer and Blu. Olivia and Diamond dated prior to their time on the show. Diamond and Angela revealed that they were dating at the reunion, where Diamond proposed. It is revealed by Angela that she is not bisexual and the whole Angela and Diamond situation was staged. |
| 2006– | Top Chef | Bravo | Ted Allen Ty-Lor Boring | |
| 2006– | Million Dollar Listing | Bravo | Madison Hildebrand Josh Flagg | |
| 2006– | HGTV Star | HGTV | Vern Yip David Bromstad Josh Johnson Michael Stribling Matt Locke Mikey Verdugo Jason Champion Nathan Galui Trent Hultgren Michael Moeller Tyler Wisler Leslie Ezelle Kevin Grace Karl Sponholtz Tylor Devereaux | Yip is a member of the judges' panel. Bromstad was the winner of season 1 and went on to host Color Splash for HGTV. He returned in season 6 to mentor the contestants. Ezelle is the first openly lesbian contestant in the series' history. |
| 2006-2010 | Solitary | Fox Reality Channel | David, AKA "Number 9" | David was a 28-year-old member of Mensa who worked for a non-profit organization. He was the first to quit. |
| 2006-2008 | Work Out | Bravo | Jackie Warner Doug Blasdell Brian Peeler Jesse "JD" Jordan Rebecca Cardon | Reality series following the life of a personal trainer. Warner is a lesbian, with long-time girlfriend Mimi. She employs various gay trainers throughout the series. During season 2, heterosexual Rebecca has a brief relationship with Jackie. |
| 2006-2008 | The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency | Oxygen Network | J. P. Calderon John Stallings Gabrial Geismar Duke Snyder Rodrigo de Carli Shaun McCarron Paul Anderson | Stallings joined the agency in season 1. Calderon joined in season 2. Geismar and Snyder are confidants of series star Janice Dickinson. McCarron and Anderson are models who joined in season 3 and are boyfriends. de Carli joined in season 3. |
| 2006 | Chris & John to the Rescue! | OUTtv | Chris Carter John Simpson | Best friends and self-proclaimed "culture aficionados" are out to save the world, one gay at a time. |
| 2006 | ' | Logo | Jacob Miller Joshua Miller | Jacob and Joshua are the openly gay pop duo Nemesis. |
| 2006 | Gay Army | Sweden, Norway Denmark, Italy Germany | All | Effeminate gay men are removed from their cozy gay life, and into the hands of a U.S drill sergeant. Each episode, the gay “recruits” face new training missions designed to bring out the man and prepare them for battle. In the final episode they face the "real" army in war. Gay “recruits” will be treated to party nights and gay rewards as missions are accomplished. |
| 2005– | Dancing with the Stars | ABC | Bruno Tonioli Louis van Amstel Mel B Lance Bass Margaret Cho Carson Kressley Chaz Bono Diana Nyad Jonathan Bennett Michael Sam Kim Zolciak Adam Rippon | |
| 2005– | So You Think You Can Dance | Fox | Sasha Mallory Travis Wall Benji Schwimmer | Mallory chose not to discuss her sexual orientation while on the series, feeling that it was "not important" in the context of the series. |
| 2005– | Iron Chef America | Food Network | Cat Cora | Cat Cora is one of the show's Iron Chefs. |
| 2005 | Open Bar | Logo | Tyler Robuck | Followed Robuck as he planned, built and opened a gay bar in West Hollywood, California. |
| 2005 | Real Gay | Logo | "Reunion show" featuring LGBT participants from many different reality shows. | |
| 2005-2008 | Beauty and the Geek | The CW | Greg Soriano | Self-proclaimed "Gaysian". |
| 2005-2007 | My Fabulous Gay Wedding | Global Logo | Scott Thompson Elvira Kurt | Reality show profiling the wedding celebrations of gay couples. Logo aired repeats of season 1, retitled First Comes Love, then picked up the show with new episodes hosted by Kurt. |
| 2005 | Queer Eye for the Straight Girl | Bravo | Robbie Laughlin Danny Teeson Damon Pease Honey Labrador | Spin-off of Queer Eye that made over women instead of men. |
| 2005 | Showdog Moms & Dads | Bravo | Ryan Pacchiano Brandon Kindle | Behind-the-scenes eye on the competitive, quirky world of show dogs. |
| 2004– | The Apprentice | NBC | Richard Hatch Clay Aiken George Takei Carson Kressley | |
| 2004– | Project Runway | Bravo Lifetime | Tim Gunn Jay McCarroll Santino Rice Christian Siriano Jack Mackenroth Anthony Ryan Auld Bert Keeter Bryce Black Joshua McKinley Rafael Cox Viktor Luna David Chum Gunnar Deatherage | |
| 2004– | Ghost Hunters | Syfy | Adam Berry | Berry joined the cast after winning Ghost Hunters Academy. |
| 2004 | Mad Mad House | Sci Fi Channel | Ta'Shia Asanti | Asanti, a Voodoo priestess, is one of five "Alts" who select from among ten "normal" houseguests for a $100,000 prize. |
| 2004 | There's Something About Miriam | Sky One | Miriam Rivera | Reality dating game show in which men competed for the affections of trans woman Miriam. |
| 2004 | Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay | Fox | Jackie Beat | Fox pulled this special, in which two straight men competed for $50,000 by trying to pass as gay, following complaints from gay media watchdog group GLAAD. |
| 2003– | The Joe Schmo Show | Spike TV | "Kip the Gay Guy" "Lavernius the Black Guy" | Reality television parody series. Lance Krall played Kip. Segun Oduolowu played Lavernius. |
| 2003– | America's Next Top Model | The CW | Jay Manuel J. Alexander André Leon Talley Adrianne Curry Ebony Haith Michelle Deighton Sarah Rhoades Kim Stolz Leslie Mancia Megg Morales Michelle Babin Isis King Kayla Ferell Sara Longoria Cory Hindorff Virgg Lin Will Jardell Bello Sánchez Nyle DiMarco Kyle McCoy Quei Tann | Manuel, Alexander and Talley served on the judges' panel. Adrianne, Michelle D. and Leslie are bisexual. Ebony, Kim, and Kayla are lesbians. Sarah R. was portrayed as fluid. Sara L. and Kyle are genderfluid. Michelle B. said that she might be gay or bisexual. Isis is the show's first transgender contestant. Virgg and Quei are transgender as well. Isis and Kayla returned for Cycle 17, billed as an "all-star" cycle. In Cycle 20, Banks expanded the scope of the competition to include male models as well. Cory identifies as gay. Nyle is sexually fluid. |
| 2003-2013 | What Not to Wear | TLC | Clinton Kelly | Makeover show focusing on helping people set and follow rules for dressing better. |
| 2003-2008 | Canadian Idol | CTV | Richie Wilcox Theo Tams | Tams is to date the only openly gay performer to win an Idol competition in North America. |
| 2003-2007 | Queer Eye | Bravo | Kyan Douglas Ted Allen Jai Rodriguez Thom Filicia Carson Kressley | Original name Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Wardrobe and home makeover show. Blair Boone appears in two episodes of the first season, credited as a "Guest Culture Expert". |
| 2003-2005 | King of the Jungle | Animal Planet | Adam Stone Cynthia Weiss Matthew Buccilla | Stone was the runner-up of the first season. |
| 2003 | Boy Meets Boy | Bravo | James Getzlaff Wes Culwell Brian Austin Jason Tiner Darren O'Hare Robb MacArthur | Relationship contest. |
| 2003 | Gay Weddings | Bravo | Scott and Harley Lupe and Sonja Dan and Gregg Dale and Eve | Two gay and two lesbian couples are followed as they prepare for their upcoming marriage ceremonies. |
| 2002– | The Bachelor | ABC | Krisily Kennedy Jaimi King Demi Burnett Alexa Caves | Krisily, Jaimi, and Demi are bisexual. Alexa is sexually fluid. |
| 2002– | American Idol | Fox | Jim Verraros Clay Aiken Frenchie Davis Danny Noriega Adam Lambert Ellen DeGeneres | Controversy resulted when Fox made Verraros remove gay content from network-sponsored website while he was competing. Aiken came out publicly several years after his appearance on the series. DeGeneres was a judge for season 9. Davis did not come out until years after her season had concluded. Noriega appeared on the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race as Adore Delano. |
| 2002-2003 | Beg, Borrow & Deal | ESPN | Julian Bryce | |
| 2001 | Lost | NBC | Joe Gulla | |
| 2001– | The Amazing Race | CBS | Joe Baldassare and Bill Bartek Oswald Mendez and Danilo "Danny" Jimenez Ken Duphiney Aaron Goldschmidt Andrew Hyde Reichen Lehmkuhl and Chip Arndt Winners Lynn Warren and Alex Ali Patrick Vaughn John Lowe and Scott Braginton-Smith Lauren Marcoccio Tom Rock and Terry Cosentino Kate Lewis and Pat Hendrickson Mel and Mike White Luke Adams LaKisha Hoffman Winner Sam and Dan McMillen Carol Rosenfeld and Brandy Snow Jordan Pious Winner Ron Zeitz and Bill Smith Justin Young Brent Ridge Josh Kilmer-Purcell Winners Jaymes Vaughan Joey Graceffa Tim Tsao and Te Jay McGrath Harley Rodriguez and Jonathan Knight Bergen Olson and Kurt Jordan Belcher James Earl Corley Tyler Oakley and Korey Kuhl Scott Flanary Seth Tyler Trevor Wadleigh and Chris Marchant Bret LaBelle | Reichen Lehmkuhl and Chip Arndt were the winners of season 4. Season 11, sometimes billed as an "All-Star" season, brought back previous Racers. Mel White is the gay father of the bisexual Mike White. Sam and Dan are brothers who came out to each other about a year before the show. Carol and Brandy are lesbians. Jordan and his straight brother Dan were the winners of season 16. Season 18, billed as "Unfinished Business", features the return of four openly LGB Racers from season 14. Kisha won season 18 with her straight sister, Jen. Josh and Brent are the stars of the series The Fabulous Beekman Boys. They are the winners of season 21. Jaymes and his Race partner James Davis are both performers with the Chippendales male dance revue. Season 28 featured teams of internet celebrities. Season 31 featured teams consisting of former Amazing Race competitors, Survivor competitors, and Big Brother houseguests. |
| 2001-2014 | Big Brother Australia | Network Ten, Nine Network | John Cass Andy Silva Gordon Sloan Nathan Morris Sahra Kearney Claire Bellis Jaime Cedra Jamie O'Brien Geneva Loader Rachael Burns Michael Farnsworth David Graham Rob Rigley Lauren Clayton Nick Sady Zach Douglas Renee Black Benjamin Norris Tully Smyth Benjamin "Ben" Zabel Nathan Little Jason Roses | John Cass, Nathan Morris, Jamie O'Brien, Claire Bellis, David Graham, Rob Rigley, Zach Douglas, Benjamin Norris, Ben Zabel and Nathan Little are gay. Andy Silva, Gordon Sloan, Sahra Kearney, Jaime Cedra, Geneva Loader, Rachael Burns, Lauren Clayton, Renee Black and Tully Smyth are bisexual. |
| 2001-2008 | The Mole | ABC | Jennifer Biondi Jim Morrison Bobby O’Donnell Anderson Cooper | |
| 2001-2002 | ' | Life Network | Mathieu Chantelois Jason Ruta | |
| 2000– | Survivor | CBS | Richard Hatch Sonja Christopher Mitchell Olson Jeff Varner Brandon Quinton John Carroll Scout Cloud Lee Ami Cusack Coby Archa Rafe Judkins J. P. Calderon Brad Virata Todd Herzog Chet Welch Charlie Herschel Spencer Duhm Shannon "Shambo" Waters Mark "Papa Bear" Caruso Bill Posley Colton Cumbie Dana Lambert Michael Snow Caleb Bankston Brice Johnston Josh Canfield Reed Kelly Kelly Remington Tai Trang Zeke Smith Bret LaBelle Donathan Hurley Jeremy Crawford Lyrsa Torres Mike White Aurora McCreary Ron Clark Elaine Stott Missy Byrd Vince Moua | Hatch was the season 1 winner. Calderon went on to become a model with The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency. Todd Herzog is a flight attendant and a Mormon and season 15 winner. Ami Cusack tried out for The Amazing Race with her girlfriend and producers recommended her to audition for Survivor. She made a second appearance as a "Favorites" in Survivor 16: Micronesia. Colton Cumbie appeared on season 24 and later returned for season 27 along with his fiancé, Caleb. Caleb passed away on June 24, 2014 due to a work-related accident. Boyfriends Josh Canfield and Reed Kelly competed in season 29 as part of the Blood vs. Water twist. Season 34 was entitled Game Changers, and featured three returning LGBT contestants. Several contestants; including Sonja Christopher and Mitchell Olson did not have their sexuality discussed on-air. |
| 2000-2018 | Big Brother | Channel 4 Channel 5 | Nichola Holt Anna Nolan Runner-Up Sada Walkington Brian Dowling Winner Josh Rafter Adele Roberts Nadia Almada Winner Daniel Bryan Emma Louise Greenwood Kitten Pinder Marco Sabba Craig Coates Derek Laud Kemal Shahin Sam Brodie Shahbaz Chauhdry Michael Cheshire Richard Newman Glyn Wise Runner-Up Tracey Barnard Seán "Seány" O'Kane Gerry Stergiopoulos Dennis McHugh Charlie Drummond Freddie/Halfwit Fisher Rodrigo Lopes Angel McKenzie David Ramsden Lisa Elizabeth Wallace Corin Forshaw Caoimhe Guilfoyle Shabby Katchadourian Mario Mugan Tom O'Connell Luke Anderson Winner Benedict Garrett Scott Mason Sallie Axl Jack Glenny Wolfy Millington Dan Neal Mark Byron Christopher Hall Aaron Frew Simon Gross Adjoa Mensah Sam Giffen Hughie Maughan Ryan Ruckledge Andy West Raph Korine Anamélia Silva Brooke Berry Cian Carrigan Tomasz Wania Cameron Cole Winner | Transgender houseguest Nadia Almada won Big Brother 5 UK in 2004. Brian Dowling, an openly gay man, won the second series. Marco Sabba, Daniel Bryan, Derek Laud, Craig Coates, Kemal Shahin, Richard Newman, Michael Cheshire and Dennis McHugh are gay. Anna Nolan was the first lesbian seen on Big Brother. Kitten Pinder is also a lesbian. Sara Folino is bisexual. Shabby Katchadorian is a lesbian. Shabby developed a crush on friend and housemate Caoimhe Gurfole. Caoimhe said she was bisexual until she found out Shabby liked her. It was later revealed that Shabby loved her and Caoimhe thought it was just a crush. Ryan Ruckledge and Hughie Maughan were the first same-sex couple to engage in a sex act on the show. |
| 2000-2018 | Celebrity Big Brother | Channel 4 Channel 5 | Sue Perkins Michael Barrymore Runner-Up Pete Burns Jodie Marsh Ian 'H' Watkins Jackiey Budden Lady Sovreign Gareth "Alfie" Thomas Julian Clary Winner Rylan Clark Winner Lauren Harries Louie Spence Ollie Locke Leslie Jordan Perez Hilton Tila Tequila Austin Armacost Angie Bowie Christopher Maloney Christopher Biggins Frankie Grande Samantha Fox Marnie Simpson Jemma Lucy Trisha Paytas Amanda Barrie India Willoughby Shane Jenek Winner Wayne Sleep Rodrigo Alves | Ian Watkins is gay. Jackiey Budden is a lesbian. Frankie Grande originally appeared on the sixteenth season of the American version of the show. India Willoughby is the first transgender housemate on the celebrity edition. Shane Jenek is better known as his drag persona, Courtney Act. |
| 2000– | Big Brother | CBS | Bill "Bunky" Miller Marcellas Reynolds Will Wikle Ivette Corredero Runner-Up Beau Beasley Dustin Erikstrup Joe Barber Joshuah Welch Neil Garcia Steven Daigle Kevin Campbell Lydia Tavera Michele Noonan Ragan Fox Annie Whittington Lawon Exum Jenn Arroyo Wil Heuser Andy Herren Winner Frankie Grande Audrey Middleton Jason Roy Vanessa Rousso Jozea Flores Natalie Negrotti Tiffany Rousso Ramses Soto JC Monduix Kaycee Clark Winner Christie Murphy Tommy Bracco | Bunky's husband at the time sent Bunky a letter during the show during Big Brother 2. Ivette's live-in girlfriend was interviewed on the show during Big Brother 6. Bunky and Marcellas were both eligible for, but only Marcellas made it in. Dustin and Joe were cast as hated ex-boyfriends on Big Brother 8. Joshua and Neil were originally "soulmates" on the show but Neil had to leave the House voluntarily for urgent personal reasons and Joshua selected formerly evicted Sharon as his new mate. Andy became the first openly gay winner in the U.S. series. Frankie is the older half-brother of singer Ariana Grande. Audrey Middleton is the first transgender HouseGuest to appear on the U.S. version of the Big Brother series. Vanessa and Tiffany are sisters. Jason later returned for the first season of, where he finished in second. Natalie came out as pansexual on a subsequent appearance on The Challenge. Kaycee became the first openly lesbian winner of the U.S. series. |
| 2000– | Big Brother | Telecinco | Mari Arrabal Noemí Ungría Raquel Morillas Elba Guallarte Rafa López Nicky Villanueva Natacha Jaitt Arturo Sisniega Amor Romeira Nagore Robles Carolina Sobé Laura Selva Ángela Castro Hans Marcus Dámaso Ángulo Desirée Rodríguez Álvaro Vargas Aritz Castro Han Wang Miguel Vilas | Mari Arrabal, Noemí Ungría, Natacha Jaitt, Carolina Sobé, Aritz Castro and Miguel Vilas are bisexuals. Raquel Morillas, Elba Guallarte, Rafa López, Arturo Sisniega, Nagore Robles, Laura Selva, Ángela Castro, Dámaso Ángulo, Álvaro Vargas and Han Wang are lesbians and gays. Nicky Villanueva, Amor Romeira, Hans Marcus and Desirée Rodríguez are transgender. |
| 2000-2008 | Trading Spaces | TLC Discovery Home | Vern Yip | |
| 2000-2001 | American High | Fox PBS | Brad Krefman | Series follows high school students. |
| 2005-2018 | Canada's Worst Driver | Discovery Channel | Kevin Simmons Worst Driver, Worst Driver Ever Lenny Stone | Kevin and Lenny are boyfriends. Lenny nominates Kevin has the worst driver in Season 8, who goes on to be declared a joint Worst Driver. They return for the "all-stars" season Canada's Worst Driver Ever where Kevin is declared the worst driver ever. |
2010s
| Year | Title | Network | Cast member | Notes |
| 2018– | Ex on the Beach | MTV | Cheyenne Parker Cory Zwierzynski Jozea Flores Murray Swanby Rob Tini Aubrey O'Day Billy Reilich Cara Cooper Lisa Coffey Tyler Garrigus Adore Delano Ashley Jakk Maddox La Demi Martinez Laurel Stucky Marlon Williams Nicole Zanatta Sydney Langston Todd Mauer Trenton Clark Tyler Ash | Cheyenne originally appeared on Fire Island. Cory, Murray and Billy originally appeared on What Happens at The Abbey. Jozea originally competed on Big Brother 18. Murray is exes with both Cheyenne and Cory. Jozea and Rob are exes. Cara is transgender and is Billy's ex. Tyler is also his ex. Aubrey and Lisa are exes. Adore originally appeared on American Idol, RuPaul's Drag Race, and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. |
| 2018 | My House | Viceland | Tati 007 Alex Mugler Jelani Mizrahi Precious Ebony Relish Milan | On NYC ball culture. Tati is a trans woman. Alex is gay. Jelani is gay. Precious is genderfluid. Relish is gay. |
| 2018 | Holiday Gingerbread Showdown | Food Network | Sean Patrick Henry | |
| 2018 | Haunted Gingerbread Showdown | Food Network | Steve Konopelski | |
| 2018– | Celebrity Big Brother | CBS | Ross Mathews Brandi Glanville Jonathan Bennett | Ross is openly gay. Brandi is bisexual. |
| 2018– | ' | VH1 | Trina Bobby Lytes Miami Tip Jeffrey White Malik Williams | Trina is openly bisexual. Bobby is openly gay. Tip is openly bisexual and expresses sexual interest in Gunplay's girlfriend Keyara. Jeffrey is Bobby's boyfriend. Malik is Jeffrey's ex, who comes out for the first time publicly during the season. |
| 2017– | Christmas Cookie Challenge | Food Network | Ricky Webster | Ricky is the winner of season 2, episode 4. |
| 2017 | Halloween Wars: Hayride of Horror | Food Network | Zac Young | |
| 2016–2017 | American Grit | Fox | Michael Wilson Morgan | Michael is the only LGBT competitor to compete on either season 1 and season 2 - making him the only LGBT to compete on the show. Michael was the runner-up on season 2. |
| 2016– | The Boulet Brothers' Dragula | OutTV | The Boulet Brothers Contestants Various guest judges | The Boulet Brothers judge a competition for the world's next drag supermonster. Most of the contestants have been gay/queer men. |
| 2016– | Leave It To Stevie | VH1 | Renaye Diaz Mimi Faust Alexis Branch | Renaye is a lesbian and the ex-girlfriend of rapper Siya. Although never revealed on the show, Mimi prefers "no labels" and has been in relationships with men and women as well as a trans man. Alexis is a lesbian in a relationship with Tyra B. |
| 2016– | Escape the Night | YouTube Premium | Joey Graceffa Shane Dawson Tyler Oakley Andrea Russett Manny MUA Bretman Rock | Presenter Graceffa is openly gay. Oakley is openly gay, and won his season along with Russett who is openly bisexual. Dawson is also bisexual. MUA and Rock are both gay. |
| 2016 | ' | CBS All Access | Danielle Lickey Jason Roy Kryssie Ridolfi | Jason is gay. Kryssie is bisexual. Both made it to the final, where Kryssie came in third, and Jason came in second. |
| 2016 | ' | VH1 | Joseline Hernandez Mimi Faust | Joseline is openly bisexual. Although never revealed on the show, Mimi prefers "no labels" and has been in relationships with men and women as well as a trans man. |
| 2015– | I Am Jazz | TLC | Jazz Jennings | Reality series on life of transgender teen and her family. |
| 2015– | Halloween Baking Championship | Food Network | Ray Vizcaino Andrew Fuller Zac Young | |
| 2015–2016 | I Am Cait | E! | Caitlyn Jenner | Reality series focusing on gender transition of Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner. |
| 2014– | Opposite Worlds | Syfy | Jeffry Celle | Jeffry is on "Team Chronos" which started the game in "Future World". |
| 2014– | King of the Nerds | TBS | Xander Jeanneret | Xander is a gay gamer, or "gaymer" for short. |
| 2014–2016 | Rich Kids of Beverly Hills | E! | Jonny Drubel | |
| 2014– | Holiday Baking Championship | Food Network | Steve Konopelski Joshua Livsey | |
| 2014–2017 | ' | VH1 | K. Michelle Jonathan Fernandez | K is openly bisexual and reveals her ex-girlfriend Melicia in the third season. Jonathan is openly gay and refers to himself as K's "gay husband". |
| 2014– | ' | VH1 | Moniece Slaughter Nikki Mudarris Miles Brock Milan Christopher Jason Lee Rosa Acosta Zellswag Alexis Skyy A.D. Diggs Misster Ray K. Michelle JayWill | Moniece is openly bisexual and is in a relationship with A.D. Nikki enters a relationship with Rosa in the third season. Miles identifies as bisexual and is introduced as being in a long-term relationship with Milan. Milan is openly gay. Jason is openly gay. Rosa is openly bisexual. Zell identifies as sexually fluid. Alexis is openly bisexual and has a flirtation with A.D. A.D. is openly lesbian and Moniece's girlfriend. Ray is openly gay and introduces his boyfriend, Vic the Leo. K is openly bisexual, and at the reunion, expresses sexual interest in Akbar's wife Sade. JayWill is openly bisexual and has a drag persona named Kandie. |
| 2013– | Big Brother Canada | Slice Global | Aneal Ramkissoon Gary Levy Kenny Brain Johnny Colatruglio Risha Denner Sarah Hanlon Willow MacDonald Kevin Robert Martin Mitchell Moffit Raul Manriquez Sharry Ash Tim Dormer William Laprise Desbiens Erica Hill Johnny Mulder Eddie Lin Kiera Wallace Kyra Shenker | Gary was the runner up on his season. Sarah won her season. Kyra is the first non-binary person to be on the show. |
| 2013– | The Amazing Race Canada | CTV | Jamie Cumberland and Pierre Cadieux Laura Takahashi and Jackie Skinner Rex Harrington and Bob Hope Ryan Steele and Rob Goddard Brent Sweeney and Sean Sweeney Hamilton Elliott Steph LeClair and Kristen McKenzie Sam Lambert and Paul Mitskopoulos Anthony Johnson & James Makokis | Jamie and Pierre are best friends. Rex and Bob were engaged when the program aired. Laura and Jackie are a married lesbian couple. Ryan and Rob are best friends. Despite both being openly gay, their sexualities were never mentioned during the airing of the program. Brent and Sean are brothers and both openly gay. Hamilton is a trans man and the first openly transgender contestant on either the Canadian or American edition of The Amazing Race. He competed with his fiancée, Michaelia Drever. Steph and Kristen were the first female team to win The Amazing Race Canada, and the first lesbian couple team to win any edition of the Race worldwide. Sam and Paul are a dating couple. They were the first gay male couple to win The Amazing Race Canada. Anthony & James are married. |
| 2013 | Generation Cryo | MTV | Breeanna | Breeanna is an 18-year-old lesbian who was conceived via anonymous sperm donation. The series follows her attempts to meet her half-siblings and her biological father. |
| 2013– | Houston Beauty | OWN | Mia Ryan | Mia is transgender. |
| 2013– | Below Deck | Bravo | David Bradberry | |
| 2013 | Capture | The CW | James Wallington Rob Anderson Jacob Kosior | James is a host for AfterBuzzTV.com where he recaps reality television shows. |
| 2013 | 72 Hours | TNT | Michael Holtz | Holtz is a former competitive swimmer and Mr. Gay Chicago 2011. |
| 2013– | The Great Christmas Light Fight | ABC | J.W. and Jerome Salveson-Sangall | |
| 2013– | ' | A&E | Chris Morelli Tad Eaton | Professional and personal partners, Morelli and Eaton own a boutique together called "Frayed Knot". |
| 2013–2014 | Bad Girls All-Star Battle | Oxygen | Florina "Flo" Kaja Jenniffer "Jenn" Hardwick Julie Ofcharsky Raquel "Rocky" Santiago Tiana Small Shelly Hickman Stephanie George | Jenn and Tiana both won their respective seasons. Flo finished second on her season. |
| 2012 | Vip Brother 4 | Nova TV | Lucy Diakovska | |
| 2012–2018 | Shahs of Sunset | Bravo | Reza Farahan | |
| 2012– | Ink Master | Paramount Network | Jackie Jennings Randy Vollink Kevin Laroy Amanda Boone | |
| 2012 | Full Metal Jousting | History | Jake Nodar | |
| 2012– | ' | VH1 | Joseline Hernandez Mimi Faust K. Michelle Ariane Davis Kalenna Harper Jessica Dime Margeaux Simms Ashley Nicole Tommie Lee D. Smith Chris Gould Melissa Scott Jasmine Washington Keanna Arnold Erica Mena Pooh Hicks | Joseline is openly bisexual and has had sexual encounters with fellow cast members Mimi, Jessica Dime and Tommie. Mimi prefers "no labels". She has had sexual encounters with Joseline, dated Chris and is dating a woman. Although only hinted on the show, K has identified as bisexual in interviews. Ariane expresses her bi-curiosity in the second season, before coming out as a lesbian and dating DJ Toni K. Kalenna is openly bisexual and her relationship with Ashley is featured on the show. Jessica's sexual tryst with Joseline is a major storyline in season four, and in season six, she dates Alexis Skyy. Margeaux is openly bisexual and dating model Merike Palmiste. Ashley Nicole is a lesbian and in the fourth season introduces her girlfriend of two years, Jamie. Tommie's sexual tryst with Joseline is a major storyline in season five, although it is unclear how she identifies sexually. D. Smith is a trans woman. Chris is a trans man. Melissa is openly lesbian. Jasmine and Keanna are openly bisexual and in a polyamorous relationship with Rod. Erica Mena is openly bisexual. Pooh is openly bisexual, and claims to have had a threesome with Karlie and her husband. |
| 2011– | ' | VH1 | Somaya Reese Erica Mena Cyn Santana K. Michelle Jhonni Blaze Cardi B Mariahlynn Felicia "Snoop" Pearson Hennessy Carolina J. Adrienne Kim Wallace Anaís Brittney Taylor Jonathan Fernandez Trent Crews Alexis Skyy Sidney Starr | Although never revealed on the show, Somaya is openly bisexual. After the show, she entered a relationship with rapper Lady Luck. Erica Mena is openly bisexual. Cyn is introduced as Erica's girlfriend, the first woman she has ever been romantically involved with. After they break up, Cyn enters a relationship with a man, Ray. Although never revealed on the show, K has identified as bisexual in interviews. Jhonni is openly bisexual and expresses sexual interest in fellow cast member Precious Paris. Cardi is openly bisexual. Mariahlynn is openly bisexual. Snoop is openly lesbian. After her time on the show, Hennessy came out as a lesbian. J is introduced as Snoop's girlfriend, the first woman she has ever been romantically involved with. She claims she is only "gay for Snoop". Kim is openly lesbian and wears suits in a stud fashion. Anaís is openly bisexual. Brittney is openly bisexual. Jonathan is openly gay. Trent is Jonathan's boyfriend. Alexis is openly bisexual. Sidney is a trans woman. |
| 2011– | Platinum Hit | Bravo | Scotty Granger | Granger is the brother of NBA player Danny Granger and the great nephew of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. |
| 2011– | Face Off | Syfy | Marcel Banks Gage Hubbard Nora Hewitt Ricky Vitus | |
| 2011– | The Voice | NBC | Vicci Martinez Frenchie Davis Beverly McClellan Nakia Erin Martin Sarah Golden | Frenchie Davis did not come out until after her season ended. |
| 2011– | Geordie Shore | MTV | Nathan Henry Marnie Simpson Elettra Lamborghini | Henry initially identified as bisexual, before coming out as gay. Simpson and Lamborghini are also bisexual. |
| 2011–2012 | The Glee Project | Oxygen | Alex Newell | |
| 2011 | Fashion Hunters | Bravo | Wilson Payamps | |
| 2011 | Mad Fashion | Bravo | Chris March | |
| 2011 | Ton of Cash | VH1 | Justin Derke | Derke is a cosmetologist and drag queen from Lansing, Michigan. |
| 2011 | ' | Logo | Levi Crocker James Doyle Chase Hutchinson Philip Willis Taylor Garrett | First expansion of Logo's A-List franchise. Beau Bumpas, a photographer, was originally announced as a cast member. He was removed from the show's website without explanation. |
| 2011 | Most Eligible Dallas | Bravo | Drew Ginsburg | Series follows single men and women in the Dallas area. |
| 2011 | Carson Nation | OWN | Carson Kressley | Former Queer Eye "fashion guy" travels from town to town doling out fashion makeovers. |
| 2011 | Pretty Hurts | Logo | Rand Rusher Curt Meeuwsen | Rusher is a registered nurse who specializes in cosmetic injectables. Meeuwsen is the chief executive officer of Rusher's medical practice. The two were a couple for twelve years but are no longer romantically involved. |
| 2011 | ' | OWN | Ryan O'Connor | |
| 2010– | The Only Way Is Essex | ITV2 | Harry Derbidge | In series 1, openly gay Harry Derbidge is introduced as the cousin of Amy Childs, one of the show's main cast members, and reappears throughout the series. Due to the demands from fans and his unexpected popularity, Derbidge was made a secondary cast member in series 2 and appeared in the opening credits. |
| 2010– | Hair Battle Spectacular | Bravo | Derek J Kirby Keomysay, AKA "Nostradamus" | Derek J is a fantasy hair stylist and judge. Keomysay is the winner of season 2. |
| 2010– | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills | Bravo | Cedric Martinez | Martinez is the "permanent house guest" of housewife Lisa VanderPump. |
| 2010– | Next Great Baker | TLC | Gregory Soriano Chad Fitzgerald | |
| 2010–2012 | Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys | Sundance Channel | Joel Derfner Sahil Farooqi David Munk Nathan Hale Williams Jared Allman Peter Depp Shane Stevens Brent Oscar Young | Season one follows the lives of four women and their gay best friends in New York City. For season two the series moves to Nashville, Tennessee with an entirely new cast. |
| 2010– | ' | Bravo | Yigit Pura Vanarin Kuch Craig Poirier Lina Biancamano Orlando Santos | |
| 2010–2012 | Bachelor Pad | ABC | Krisily Kennedy | |
| 2010– | The Fabulous Beekman Boys | Planet Green | Josh Kilmer-Purcell Brent Ridge John Hall Doug Plummer Garth Roberts | Series follows author and advertising executive Kilmer-Purcell and his partner Ridge, a former Martha Stewart Omnimedia executive and geriatric physician, as they work to convert their weekend farm into a profitable brand, Beekman 1802. John Hall brought his goat herd to the farm and assists with the farm's operations. Plummer and Roberts are their neighbors and owners of the American Hotel in Sharon Springs, New York, where the series is set. |
| 2010– | ' | Oxygen Network | Lea Beaulieu Judi Jai Sydney Steinfeldt | |
| 2010– | The Real L Word | Showtime | Rose Garcia Jill Sloane Goldstein Mikey Koffman Whitney Mixter Tracy Ryerson Nikki Weiss | Like the similarly titled fictional series The L Word, this series follows the lives of several lesbians living in Los Angeles. |
| 2010–2012 | RuPaul's Drag U | Logo | RuPaul Lady Bunny Nina Flowers Tammie Brown Ongina Shannel Pandora Boxx Jujubee Raven Morgan McMichaels Tyra Sanchez BeBe Zahara Benet Carmen Carrera Mariah Latrice Royale Chad Michaels Raja Alexis Mateo Delta Work Sharon Needles Willam | Each week three biological women are paired with drag "professors" to discover their inner drag queen. RuPaul is the "President" of Drag U. Lady Bunny is a judge and the "Dean of Drag". |
| 2010–2011 | ' | Bravo | John Parot Young Sun | |
| 2010–2011 | ' | Logo | Reichen Lehmkuhl Rodiney Santiago Mike Ruiz Austin Armacost Derek Lloyd Saathoff Ryan Nickulas | Series follows the lives of gay men in New York City. Although not listed as a cast member, Nicklaus's assistant TJ Kelly appeared in every episode. |
| 2010, 2012 | Be Good Johnny Weir | Sundance Logo | Johnny Weir | |
| 2010 | On the Road with Austin & Santino | Lifetime | Santino Rice | Rice and fellow Project Runway alumnus Austin Scarlett travel to small towns in the United States performing makeovers on local women. |
| 2010 | High Society | The CW | Paul Johnson Calderon | Paul Johnson Calderon is a socialite in New York City. |
| 2018– | Queer Eye | Netflix | Bobby Berk Karamo Brown Tan France Antoni Porowski Jonathan Van Ness AJ Skyler Jess | Berk, Brown, France, Porowski, are gay. Van Ness is gay, gender non-conforming and non-binary. AJ, a hero from season one, is gay. Skyler, a hero from season two, is a trans man. Jess, a hero from season 3, is a lesbian. |
| 2010- | Logo VH1 | RuPaul, contestants. | An accompanying series to RuPaul's Drag Race. Most contestants are gay men, with some being non-binary, trans women, etc. | |
| 2012- | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars | Logo VH1 | RuPaul, contestants Santino Rice Carson Kressley Todrick Hall Ross Matthews | RuPaul, Rice, Kressley, Hall, and Matthews are all gay men. Most contestants are gay men. Season 4 contestant Gia Gunn is a trans woman, being the first trans All Star contestant. |
| 2019- | RuPaul's Drag Race UK | BBC | RuPaul, contestants. Alan Carr Graham Norton | RuPaul, Carr, and Norton are all gay men. Most contestants are also gay men. Season 1's Scaredy Kat is bisexual. |
| 2018- | Drag Race Thailand | LINE TV | Judges, contestants | Various contestants are trans, gay, and non-binary. |
| 2015- | The Switch Drag Race | Mega | Judges, contestants. | Various contestants are gay men and trans women. |
| 2018 | Dancing Queen | Netflix | Alyssa Edwards Shangela Laquifa Wadley Laganja Estranja | The series follows Edwards' life as a world famous drag queen and owner and artistic director of Beyond Belief Dance Company. |
| 2018- | House of Drag | TVNZ OnDemand OutTV | Kita Mean Anita Wigl'it | Judges and contestants are gay men and trans people. |
| 2019- | Queen of Drags | ProSieban | Bill Kaulitz Conchita Wurst | Contestants. |
| 2018- | Drag Heals | OutTV | Contestants | Series follows aspiring drag kings and queens in a "drag school" program. |
| 2017- | The Great Canadian Baking Show | CBC Television | Dan Levy Corey Shefman | Dan is gay. Corey is stated to have a male partner. |
2020s
| Year | Title | Network | Cast member | Notes |
| 2020- | RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race | VH1 | RuPaul Carson Kressley Ross Matthews Nico Tortorella Monét X Change Bob the Drag Queen Trixie Mattel Asia O'Hara Trinity the Tuck Alyssa Edwards Nina West Kim Chi | RuPaul, Kressley, Matthews, and the Drag Mentors are gay men. Tortorella is non-binary. Kiyoko is a lesbian. |
| 2020- | Dragnificent! | TLC | Alexis Michelle BeBe Zahara Benet Jujubee Thorgy Thor | Michelle, Benet, Jujubee, and Thor are all gay men. Originally started as the 2019 TV special Drag Me Down the Aisle. Started as full television series in April 2020. |
Parenthetical sources
- Tropiano, Stephen. The Prime Time Closet: A History of Gays and Lesbians on TV. New York, Applause Theatre and Cinema Books..