Viewers have been left shocked and outraged by a conservative Christian father’s rejection of his lesbian daughter on last night’s episode of controversial reality TV series Bride and Prejudice.
The Channel 7 series’ season premiere on Monday night introduced the show’s first three couples, including newly-engaged lesbian couple Dylan and Ange.
Ange’s sit-down with her father John to talk to him about her engagement with Dylan provided the episode’s most heartbreaking scenes.
After her mother died from breast cancer when Ange was just six, John raised Ange and her two brothers on his own.
“He loves me but he just doesn’t agree with the fact that I’m gay,” Ange explains.
“I don’t want anyone to think he is a bad dad just because he has these beliefs.”
The deeply religious John is quick to blame her “confusion” about her sexuality on how she was raised.
“Had your mother been there she would have taught you something different,” John said.
“Because there’s a lady’s touch missing from our household.”
Can you believe Ange’s dad said THAT to his own daughter?! ??#BrideAndPrejudiceAU | https://t.co/nmVbCzYGoI pic.twitter.com/IlHWSFZFOu
— Bride and Prejudice Australia (@brideprejudice) October 29, 2018
Ange answers in shock, “I am going to sit down and tell you right now if I could be attracted to males I would be.
“I don’t want to make life harder for myself.
“I didn’t just wake up one day and say, ‘You know what? This seems hard, I’m going to do it.’ I didn’t do that.”
But John refuses to budge, comparing same-sex attraction to incest and claiming his daughter will never know “true happiness” unless she has children in a heterosexual relationship.
“What if I don’t want kids at all?” Ange responds.
“Well that’s a good thing because you won’t f–k their heads up,” John answers.
Ange is left shocked and stunned by her father’s cruel comments.
“Wow, I can’t believe you just said that,” she said.
“I can’t believe those words just came out of your mouth, to my face.”
Viewers took to Twitter to weigh in on Ange and John’s interaction.
“When you want to destroy your child’s happiness, there’s nothing Christian about you,” one person tweeted.
“Oh Ange, you are too good and too strong for this shit,” another wrote.
Ugh these parents are the worst #BrideandPrejudiceAU pic.twitter.com/x8Q9WdKzHX
— AndyNeths (@Andyneths) October 29, 2018
I had a mother who played a huge part in my life but guess what… #BrideandPrejudiceAU pic.twitter.com/LLYvhD0PZj
— Sam ???????? (@WittySam) October 29, 2018
Sadly John thinks her sexuality could have been different if her mother was there #brideandprejudiceAU
— eeeeek (@whatsamaname) October 29, 2018
When you want to destroy your child’s happiness, there’s nothing Christian about you. #BrideandPrejudiceAU
— Ira Snave Ooky Spooky Kooky (@IraSnave) October 29, 2018
Yes, because marrying your sister is the same as marrying someone of the same sex ?? #BrideAndPrejudiceAU pic.twitter.com/PQ7htGlxFy
— the wallet inspector (@bree____xoxo) October 29, 2018
Can't believe she said she doesn't want people to think her dad isn't a good dad because he's a massive homophobe… Guess what that does make him a horrible dad. #BrideAndPrejudiceAU
— Hallwayhighway, Special Snowflake Squawking Bird (@hallwayhighway) October 29, 2018
UGH I JUST WANT THE LESBIANS TO BE HAPPY. THEY ARE SO ADORABLE #BrideandPrejudiceAU
— Alitabangel (@AlitaBAngel) October 29, 2018
Well John, my belief is that I’d rather my child be gay than be a homophobic middle aged man with a mullet #BrideandPrejudiceAU pic.twitter.com/9oVU8EWj00
— Kimberley (@kimberleywho_) October 29, 2018
Oh Ange, you are too good and too strong for this shit ????????
#BrideandPrejudiceAU— Tessa White (@TessaAMW) October 29, 2018
Because all heterosexual relationships end in marital bliss. Not adultery. Or divorce. Or extensive legal battles. Nup. Solid as a brick shit house. #BrideandPrejudiceAU
— Ira Snave Ooky Spooky Kooky (@IraSnave) October 29, 2018
If you're comparing homosexuality to incest – you're the one who's confused #BrideAndPrejudiceAU
— Pammy Tall (@91Tall) October 29, 2018
As #BrideAndPrejudiceAU kicks off tonight I want to reassure members of the LGBTIQ community that there are many within the Christian faith that find them vital, valuable and important.
Don't let the angry "Christian" dad get you down or affect you.
You are loved.
— The Guidefather ???????? (@SteveMolk) October 29, 2018
I don’t feel anger or resentment towards John for his beliefs. I feel sorry and sad for him. He clearly loves his daughter but what turmoil he must be in. Ange and Dylan are such strong women and represent what so many LGBT couples have to go through. #BrideandPrejudice
— ??Heidi ?? (@Heidi_Marianne_) October 29, 2018
Elope. There, I said it. #BrideandPrejudiceAU pic.twitter.com/K7AS8qGcyn
— Blimey! It’s Swell! (@BlimeyItsSwell) October 29, 2018
The touching thing is that even though the dad is saying awful things, Ange still loves him deeply. #BrideandPrejudiceAU
— Matthew Denby (@MrMattDenby) October 29, 2018
Not everyone wants kids John, and what about infertile women? Are they an abomination ??#BrideandPrejudiceAU
— Kiera (@UnderYourPorch) October 29, 2018