Bride and Prejudice is an Australian reality dating television show that follows couples planning to wed, but whose family disapprove of their relationship.
During the series, Chris, who is in a same-sex relationship, was relentless to persuade his Jehovah’s Witness mother, Yvonne, and traditional father, Geoff to attend his big day.
In the series finale, his parents ultimately decided not to go, sending a video message in lieu of their absence.
Her entire message reads:
“Hi Chris, it’s just Mum talking to you today because Dad actually found this all a little too overwhelming. Just as you are hurting, so are we. I’m really sorry if you thought you weren’t loved or that we weren’t proud of you when you were a young boy. I thought I knew you, I felt very close to you at that time, and I loved you, and I loved you very dearly… and I still do Chris. It wasn’t until you were about 20-21 that we came to understand that you were starting to live a homosexual life. We tried to stay in your life as much as we could, considering our strong views on the subject.
I know a lot of people today think they’re outdated and old fashioned, but they’re something we value and hold dearly. We’re pretty strong on how we feel about the situation and we also know what you want us to be able to give you – which is acceptance of your personal life choices – and Chris, we can’t. But in saying that, we do want to know how well you’re doing, and that you’re well, and that you’re ok. But for now, Chris you really are about to do something that we find really hard to accept, which is to have a wedding ceremony. I hold marriage very sacred so I can’t give you that acceptance or be part of that part of your life. That part of your life is just not compatible with ours but your life is yours to live as you see fit.
We want you to know that we do love you, and we want you to keep well. And… yeah, that’s really all I’ve got to say at this stage. I love you and keep well. Bye.”
Obviously, people weren’t very happy about this Bride and Prejudice horrible development:
Yvonne doesn’t like her sons ‘personal choices’. Homosexuality isn’t a choice. Being a homophobic bigot is. #BrideAndPrejudice
— Arkady (@Arkady2009) March 13, 2017
That message was designed to hurt. It’s not the act of a good parent or a good Christian. Love is love is love is love. #brideandprejudice
— Uninspired (@GrumpyBoat) March 13, 2017
So the only families that weren’t willing to change were the religious bigots. Shows how much religion brainwashes people #brideandprejudice
— Benji Innella (@Blueboybenji81) March 13, 2017
Fuck, after all that Chris thanked his parents! The bigger man right there. Much love to him and Grant ❤ #BrideAndPrejudice
— Dean Nye (@Dean_Nye) March 13, 2017
Poor Chris, he’s such a lovely, gentle guy & his parents just keep ripping his heart to shreds… They don’t deserve him. #brideandprejudice
— ?Sapphire ? ? (@Sapphire_Ann) March 13, 2017
People also fumed over how fucked up it is that the couple have to travel to America to get wed, since gay marriage is still not legal in Australia.
There’s a lot to be embarrassed about watching #brideandprejudice.. most of all that the gay couples must leave the country to get married ?
— yvo (@yvo84) March 6, 2017
Chris’s husband Grant took to Twitter to thank people for their support:
Thank you Australia for all the support 🙂 you have given us all hope and love for a better day! #brideandprejudice #marriageequality pic.twitter.com/E64xJzKl1f
— Grant Landry (@grantlandry) March 13, 2017
At the end of the day, it seems like Chris and Grant really are the bigger people here. Chris said during the Bride and Prejudice finale’s conclusion, “I’ll never cut myself off from my parents, and I’ll always be there if they need me. But I’m not putting myself out there to be hurt by them anymore. I’m focusing on my family now, and my family is Grant.”
