The Amazing Race 36 features not one, but two LGBTQ+ couples for the very first time: ‘So cool’
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The Amazing Race 36 Makes History with LGBTQ+ Representation
In its 36th season, The Amazing Race continues to make waves by featuring not one, but two LGBTQ+ couples for the very first time in the show’s long history. The hit US reality show, which first aired in 2001, has always been a platform for diverse representation, with a total of 94 LGBTQ+ teams participating over the years. However, this season marks a significant milestone with the inclusion of two LGBTQ+ couples: “gay underdogs” Ricky and Cesar, and lesbian couple Yvonne Chavez and Melissa Main.
Ricky and Cesar, described as a “bear-ish gay couple,” are excited to bring a different dynamic to the show compared to previous gay couples. Ricky is a 34-year-old preschool teacher, while Cesar is a 34-year-old chef and food stylist. The couple has been together since 2018 and share a passion for travel, which was inspired by their love for The Amazing Race.
On the other hand, Yvonne Chavez, a 40-year-old global strategy and operations lead, and Melissa Main, a 38-year-old investigator for U.S. Navy special operations, offer a unique perspective as a lesbian couple. They emphasize that they are not the stereotypical “U-Haul lesbians” and prefer to take things slow and deliberate in their relationship.
Both couples expressed their excitement about competing alongside each other on the show. The camaraderie between the LGBTQ+ teams is evident, with Ricky and Cesar revealing that they have kept in touch with Yvonne and Melissa even after filming wrapped up. The representation of multiple LGBTQ+ couples on The Amazing Race is a significant step towards normalizing diverse relationships on mainstream television.
The current season of The Amazing Race 36 kicked off in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and will take the contestants through various countries before concluding in Philadelphia. Viewers can catch the live episodes on CBS or stream them on platforms like Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, or Paramount Plus. Additionally, past seasons of the show are available for streaming on Paramount Plus and Amazon Prime Video in the UK.
The historic inclusion of two LGBTQ+ couples on The Amazing Race 36 is a testament to the show’s commitment to diversity and representation. As viewers follow the journeys of Ricky and Cesar, along with Yvonne and Melissa, they witness a new chapter in LGBTQ+ visibility on reality television.
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