I heard that there was an interview on the subject from my friend in Japan she said the director just flat out stated it was. She also said he enjoined the project and he felt because yuri allows for so much freedom in what you can and can't do while having an audience that was very forgiving. Note I was given no links or proof but I know she rarely lies about anything but I could find nothing about a director interview for the show.
^I'm pretty sure their looking at the camera is a reference to that thing that happens in some visual novels where two girls will act gay in order to arouse the MC into joining in on the sexy times. I've seen it happen a few times. In this case they are inviting the viewer.
It's frustrating but pics like this are not intended to be depictions of actual gay love.