Dear Reverend,
My boyfriend and I recently watched the TV show “Heated Rivalry.” I thought for sure he would get freaked out by the sex scenes, but I think I was more uncomfortable than he was. Now I’m wondering if maybe he liked it a little too much. Should I be concerned?
Bawdy Check (woman, 34)
Dear Bawdy Check,
If you’re worried that your guy is having a gay awakening, you’re gonna have to wonder that about a whole lot of other people. “Heated Rivalry” is a global sensation, popular among viewers of all persuasions.
And that’s not surprising, because the show is about so much more than sex: romance, longing, hockey. And it’s a product of Canada. What’s not to love?
Assuming that a straight guy is going to get squeamish about scenes depicting homosexual hookups is old-fashioned, don’t ya think? You should be glad that your beau isn’t the sort of person who would be bothered by it.
Guy-on-guy action isn’t my usual cup of tea, either, but as soon as I was invested in the characters, the sex scenes felt like a natural part of the story. And I admit that I may have gotten a little hot under the jersey. A person doesn’t have to play on the same team to appreciate the steam — if you know what I mean.
Think of how long LGBTQ people have had to read, watch or listen to stories of straight romance and sex in entertainment. Centuries! It’s well past time that there’s more representation in pop culture. Especially in the stereotypically manly-man sports setting.
The only thing you really need to be concerned about is when Season 2 is coming out.
Good luck and God bless,
The Reverend
This article appears in January 21 • 2026.