In a devastating blow to the queer community and our passion for trash and judging other people’s relationships despite our own myriad personal flaws and spotty relationship histories, Netflix has cancelled the queer Ultimatum spinoff,The Ultimatum: Queer Love. This comes after two absolutely bananas seasons that provided endless conversational fodder for endless lesbian group chats throughout the summers of 2023 and 2025.

The original, heterosexual edition of The Ultimatum will continue to air.

As Marita poignantly pointed out in Season Two of The Ultimatum: Queer Love, “we’re never promised a tomorrow,” and that has never been more true than it iis right now as we realize there will be no more tomorrow for a show that I swear was one of the most popular shows on Netflix the month it debuted! However, it was not an easy show to cast.

One could argue that The Ultimatum: Queer Love was “bad” and not a good representation of our community but one could also argue that it was entertaining, and we deserve a treat.

Unfortunately this does come at a time when it’s harder than it’s been in a while to get new, queer stuff green-lit. Previous queer-inclusive reality dating shows have never lasted beyond two seasons. I Kissed a Girl was renewed for Season 2, though, so that’s something to think about.

Even at a time when things were generally improving for the LGBTQ+ community politically, we kept seeing our shows cancelled at breakneck pace — in this newly hostile political climate, when so many streamers are slashing budgets, it’s hard to feel hopeful about gay TV.  The number of TV shows with LGBTQ+ women and/or trans characters peaked in 2022, and we’ve been slipping a bit ever since.

How do we pay tribute to such an important piece of television history? How do we measure its impact on society? Let’s take a moment to consider what this show did bring us, like Mal Wright modeling mature communication techniques, and Bridget‘s hair, and Dayna threatening to drive Mel’s food truck into the river, and our podcast, and that random seagull that participated in Rae and Lexi’s breakup conversation. Most importantly, let us never forget Joanna Garcia Swisher for being such a good ally!

In conclusion, we demand that Netflix bestow queer hosts upon The Ultimatum: Straight Love, because it’s only fair.

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Was it really only last month that The Ultimatum: Queer Love season two concluded? Why does it feel like three lifetimes ago? Alas, I’m sure you’ve been desperate to find out which cast member from this season you are the most like. No? You don’t want to be compared to ANY of them? Well too bad sweetie, because buckle in and strap up. It’s time for a personality quiz that’ll expose your personality flaws the same way reality television does!

Before you go! Autostraddle runs on the reader support of our AF+ Members. If this article meant something to you today — if it informed you or made you smile or feel seen, will you consider joining AF and supporting the people who make this queer media site possible?

Join AF+!