Bachelor In Paradise Fans Slam Network For 'Queerbaiting'

Network Ten is facing backlash today, following last night’s highly-anticipated Bachelor In Paradise episode.

The episode in question has been featured in most advertising for the series, and hinted heavily at a kiss between bisexual contestants Megan Marx and Elora Murger. In the trailer, Megan literally says in a voice-over: “She’s absolutely gorgeous, she’s definitely my type of girl,” while a clip of her kissing a mystery brunette plays.

But, as it turns out, the kiss was actually between Megan and long-haired Canadian Bachelorette star Thomas Perras.

Here's the part of the promo where Channel 10 deliberately cut together Megan talking about Elora with her kiss w/ a long-haired brunette, to make it seem like they were going to deliver a same sex couple. Turns out it was Thomas. Queerbaiting at its finest. #BachelorInParadise pic.twitter.com/ywKqzC0YUb
— Jenna Guillaume (@JennaGuillaume) April 17, 2018

The network has faced backlash for queerbaiting fans, with many taking to social media to vent their frustration with the advertising tactic.

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so the ‘bisexual’ relationship on #BachelorInParadiseAU presented in the promos is actually just a megan and a guy with long hair. bisexuals such as myself love queer baiting!!! we love it so much it makes us feel so validated !!!!!
— evie, from the internet (@yeevz_) April 16, 2018

OMG MEGAN IS KISSING A WOMAN!

…A BEARDED WOMAN!?

Oh no wait, that’s right Channel 10 just queer-baited us for 2 months.

Soz. #BachelorInParadiseAU pic.twitter.com/aHzmDV2NwB
— Mark (@markp_) April 17, 2018

https://twitter.com/dentitexx/status/986223469116309505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instylemag.com.au%2Fbachelor-in-paradise-backlash-queerbaiting-megan-marx-elora-murger-thomas-perras

https://twitter.com/birchyyk/status/986193542237241344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instylemag.com.au%2Fbachelor-in-paradise-backlash-queerbaiting-megan-marx-elora-murger-thomas-perras

The feeling when you realise the "same sex kiss" that was "leaked" was between a girl and a long-haired male git.#BachelorInParadiseAU pic.twitter.com/ufjkhyCfTs
— Catelyn Jones (@CatelynJoneses) April 17, 2018

https://twitter.com/GraceGarde/status/986193146550865920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instylemag.com.au%2Fbachelor-in-paradise-backlash-queerbaiting-megan-marx-elora-murger-thomas-perras

https://twitter.com/aryagendry/status/986192697978322944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instylemag.com.au%2Fbachelor-in-paradise-backlash-queerbaiting-megan-marx-elora-murger-thomas-perras

Like gee, I love to genuinely be excited about seeing a queer moment on the screen but PSYCH HAHA IT WAS A DUDE LOL HOW FUNNY IMAGINE IF IT WAS TWO GIRLS THATS SO HILARIOUS
— Jules LeFevre (@jules_lefevre) April 17, 2018

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That's so not cool channel 10. You knew what you were doing. #BachelorInParadiseAU
— kate 🐙🐌 (@hardboiledkate) April 17, 2018

Hey @channelten, you know how you can redeem yourselves a little for queerbaiting the nation. Have a same sex Bachie or Bachelorette next year! #BachelorInParadiseAU
— Ira Snave (@IraSnave) April 17, 2018

One fan even claims to have reached out to Megan, who said the editing was “not cool.”

https://twitter.com/jaimsandwich/status/986258037085167617/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instylemag.com.au%2Fbachelor-in-paradise-backlash-queerbaiting-megan-marx-elora-murger-thomas-perras

What do you think of the show’s queerbaiting tactics? Let us know in the comments on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on InStyle Australia.

Tina Burke

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