Never before seen footage of gay couple Danny Roberts and US Army Captain Paul Dill is revealed in an upcoming episode of The Real World Homecoming: New Orleans. Dill’s brief visit to Roberts made history when the show aired in 2000, as U.S. Military policy “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” was still in effect. To protect his identity and career, Dill’s face was blurred.

Now, two decades later, MTV, Roberts, and the Real World: New Orleans cast revisit this groundbreaking moment, reflecting on the impact Dill and Roberts had on the media landscape, and the true risk the couple took by having their relationship televised. MTV has also included footage that was never aired: an unblurred exchange between Dill and Roberts.

“It was such a brave step to take because there was no way for [Paul] to know that MTV was going to blur him. Of course they made that promise but you can’t know that when you’re living in it, so he was risking his entire career,” says cast member Melissa.

“It still makes me anxious,” says Roberts. Watch the exclusive clip below: 

In addition, watch GLAAD’s latest interview with Danny Roberts where he discusses HIV stigma, and what he’s learned over the past 2 decades since being on the show: 

The Real World Homecoming: New Orleans is available to stream now on Paramount+.