Cue the disappointment. And the outrage.

It turns out Clint Arlis and JJ Lane, the two straight Bachelorette contestants who claimed they’d fallen in love with each other while taping the ABC reality show, were only “doing it for the cameras” and that “nothing gay ever happened.”

Related: Two Straight “Bachelorette” Contestants Fall In Love, Confess To Hooking Up In The Shower

TMZ was the first to report that the whole thing was a publicity stunt cooked up by guys as a joke and then used by producers to boost publicity for the show.

We can’t say we’re totally surprised. The whole thing seemed a bit far-fetched. But doing it as a joke doesn’t exactly send the best message. After all, what’s so funny about two guys falling in love?

Related: Five Gay Hoaxes That Had Us Fooled

After the news went viral yesterday, Arlis sent out a string of tweets the ranged from apologizing to his dad for being gay, suggesting he’s transgender, and comparing himself to Health Ledger, the star of the gay romance Brokeback Mountain who died prematurely in 2008:

Before I field any ?’s about #BrokebackBachelor rumors I would like 2 just say that I am a proud, 30 yr old woman and its 2015. You monsters — Clint Arlis (@ClintonArlis) May 27, 2015

What do you think? Was this a funny joke or was it offensive? Let us know in the poll below and share your thoughts in the comments section.