A same-sex relationship is finally happening in Bachelor Nation. The upcoming sixth season of Bachelor In Paradise will be iconic as it will feature the first same-sex couple in the entire franchise.
On this spinoff of The Bachelor franchise that features a steamy love-fest each summer in Mexico, Bachelor Nation alumni get to have a second shot at love in paradise. There are 11 women confirmed to be on season 6 of Bachelor in Paradise, including Annaliese Puccini, Bibiana Julian, Caelynn Miller-Keyes, and Demi Burnett. In the show's history, there has only been one openly LGBTQ contestant, Jaimi King - who identifies as bisexual - who competed for love on Nick Viall's season of The Bachelor. Since The Bachelor premiere, there has been a myriad of copycats, many of which have spotlighted LGBTQ romance. For example, during a season of The Bachelor: Vietnam last year, a female contestant declined a rose and instead asked one of the other women to come home with her.
Demi Burnett, who was previously on The Bachelor on Colton Underwood's season, is seen kissing a mystery woman in the preview for season 6 of Bachelor in Paradise. In her appearance on The Bachelor, Burnett was a lightning rod character, earning both praise and criticism for her outspoken nature and willingness to exchange verbal jabs with the other women in the house. Though she rubbed several contestants the wrong way, it was the Texas native's boldness and ease in opening up that initially swooned Underwood. Recently, Burnett hopped on social media after the teaser dropped, tweeting, "Spoiler alert: I'm a queer queen." Her pronouncement was met largely with adulation from fans and former contestants, expressing pride in Burnett for being the torchbearer in a hopeful attempt for the franchise to broaden representation.
Since coming out on Twitter, Burnett has responded to homophobic comments (via: USA Today), calling out the hatred directed toward her and the LGBTQ community. Burnett fired back to one user who claimed she wouldn't watch this season because two women were making out, writing, "The moment you described the relationship as disgusting is the moment you claimed yourself as homophobic." Former contestants came to Burnett's defense on Twitter, such as Kaitlyn Bristowe, and even current Bachelorette star Hannah Brown.
Had the romance of Burnett and the mystery woman been aired in the early days of The Bachelor, it would have been perceived as controversial. In this current age of LGBTQ awareness, where same-sex relationships on television dating shows are not only widely accepted but, in some cases, expected, The Bachelor - as it has been with most issues of diversity - is a bit behind the times.
Its inability to cast leads and supporting roles that closely resemble the array of racial backgrounds and sexual orientations represented in America have contributed to the notion that the show resembles somewhat of a fantasy world. Nevertheless, Burnett has an opportunity - and has already jumped at the chance - to use her Bachelor In Paradise platform to help represent the LGBTQ community.
Bachelor In Paradise premieres Monday at 8pm EST on ABC.
Source: Demi Burnett, USA Today