“The Bachelor” alum Demi Burnett is not letting “homophobic” trolls get her down.
The 24-year-old revealed she’s a “queer queen” on Twitter Monday after a trailer for the upcoming season of “Bachelor in Paradise” showed her embarking on a same-sex relationship, a first for the ABC dating show franchise.
Although she isn’t the first openly queer contestant (Jaimi King was openly bisexual on the 21st season of “The Bachelor”), Burnett received backlash from critics who accused her of ruining the reality show.
The Texas native reposted several negative messages, including an expletive-laden rant aimed at her sexuality, as well as trolls who threatened to boycott the spinoff entirely.
“This is the first season I WILL NOT watch BIP due to the same sex disgusting behavior on screen. I have nothing against their choice of lifestyle but I don’t like to have it shoved down my throat on TV. you ruined your show for me and 300 others,” Judith Taylor tweeted Tuesday.
Burnett hit back, replying: “The moment you described the relationship as disgusting is the moment you claimed yourself as homophobic.”
The interior designer, who first appeared on Colton Underwood’s season of “The Bachelor,” also let her fans know that referring to her as the “Rainbow Bachelor” is offensive.
“The goal is for the LGBTQ+ community to not be viewed as separate,” Burnett tweeted. ”Saying they need a ‘rainbow bachelor’ is a bit homophobic. We are all humans. Segregation based on sexuality needs to die. Coexist.”
Despite the negativity, Burnett said she was overwhelmed “with love that… drowned out all the hate,” adding, “I’m going to bed with a smile on my face. Love you all so much.”
Fellow “Bachelor” alums were among the many to show their support on social media, including the current “Bachelorette” Hannah Brown, who tweeted: “and we all, bow down. i love you always and forever.”
During the “Bachelor in Paradise” trailer, Burnett reveals she’s in love with another female contestant.
“I don’t care who sees this,” Burnett says before a clip of her kissing the woman. “I know that I love this girl. I’m just so happy that I found her, and I can definitely picture being with her for the rest of my life.”
We have SO MANY QUESTIONS. Meet us on the beach for #BachelorInParadise in 2 weeks! pic.twitter.com/FB811f1Ckc
— Bachelor in Paradise (@BachParadise) July 23, 2019
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