Posted on 12/11/2023 7:56:06 AM PST by Angelino97
A Russian reality TV show titled "I'm Not Gay," hosted by one of the country's most notorious anti-gay politicians, is drawing scrutiny and abhorrence from western media outlets amid the country's increasingly authoritarian crackdown on LGBTQ rights.
"I'm Not Gay" pits eight contestants against one another in a series of games centered around masculine stereotypes and homophobic humor, to determine which one of them is gay. The contestant who correctly identifies their gay peer wins two million rubles, or $29,000 USD, and the gay contestant wins the money if he makes it through the games undetected.
The show appears to be popular among Russian audiences, and could easily be dismissed as lowbrow entertainment. For instance, one of the challenges involves receiving lap dances from both female and male strippers, while the rest of the contestants watch. Another challenge involves contestants reaching through what appears to be a glory hole, and groping scantily clad men and women.
But one expert told Insider the show is more than just trash TV — it provides a fascinating study of Russia's attitudes towards both homosexuality and masculinity, and serves a dual purpose as both a cultural weapon against Russia's western adversaries, and a distraction from the nation's economic hardships and its invasion of Ukraine.
The first two episodes, which were shared on YouTube before being taken down for "violating YouTube's policy on harassment and bullying," racked up over 1 million views and 500,000 views, respectively.
Dan Healey, a professor of modern Russian history at the University of Oxford's St Antony's College, said homophobia in Russia is often used as a political device — and "I'm Not Gay" fits neatly into the Kremlin's narrative of Russia's cultural superiority.
[Below is an actual screen capture from the show's opening sequence.]
(Excerpt) Read more at insider.com ...
It’s their secret police.
It has a well earned reputation, inside and outside Russia, and being home to a giant gay culture. Bit like how the Gestapo had all the leather queers.
Not sure why that kind of work attracts homosexuals, but it does.
winners get a free flight from a tall building.
I have fairly descent gaydar. I want to be a contestant!
Test your gaydar ;-)
LGBTetc is not Gay.
The LuggButt community has been conflating this issue for years in order to protect the groomers and pedos.
He's the one loved by the Western MSM, Prog Socialist Democrats, The Deep Swamp and Ukraine Nazis.
Thanks
Thanks
It’s doing better in the ratings since they moved it to follow “Ow My Balls.”
There are two camps in the ‘West is corrupt beyond repair’ crowd. For a secularist Russia is the answer. For someone who wants an added spiritual dimension,Islamism is the answer. The former has some devotees on FR, but few, if any of the latter. They latter tend to be Tik Tokkers
Why aren’t these men helping to build the meat wall around Andriivka?
And Uposcrabblenyk!
That was the best SCTV episode, period.
Hey Gyorgi, these Uzbeks bet me 20 kopecks that I couldn’t get three words out of you.
You, lose...Comrade.
I’d rather watch the $1.98 beauty show
Seems pretty Gay.
Seems like something only homersexuals would watch to me.
I have fairly descent gaydar. I want to be a contestant.
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I do too, but I like being alive.
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