WOWZA. This week on Bachelor in Paradise was quite honestly a journey.
Monday night's episode was chaotic, with fistfights, self-eliminations, and an appearance by Hannah Brown. When she arrived in Paradise, Hannah consoled Demi — who has previously come out as a "queer queen" — about her relationship issues and her struggle with her sexuality.
But it was on Tuesday's episode that things really popped off — Chris Harrison and the BIP producers bent the rules and brought Kristian, the woman Demi was seeing back home, STRAIGHT 👏 TO 👏 PARADISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 👏
And let me just say, Demi and Kristian's reunion was nothing short of ADORABLE and PURE and PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!
Viewers IMMEDIATELY took to Twitter to voice their support for Kristian and Demi:
Hi this is happening on a mainstream American reality TV dating show NOT EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD IS A GARBAGE FIRE. #BachelorInParadise
the lgbtq community getting ready to protect @demi_burnett from the haters #BachelorInParadise
Demi seeing Kristian is a real genuine moment and first mutual connection I’ve believed all season. Good for the show for making it happen. #BachelorInParadise
Fuck yeah #BachelorInParadise
And while Kristian's arrival did mean Demi had to break things off with angel bb Derek, they both handled the breakup with so much emotional maturity and mutual respect. (We had no choice but to stan.)
People also praised Derek for how he handled the whole situation:
"I'm glad you're moving towards what makes you happier" - @PethDerek to Demi #BachelorInParadise
The way that Derek is so kind to Demi and respectful of her feelings and what she is going through #BachelorInParadise
What's more, Derek and Kristian even talked face-to-face, clearing the air and agreeing that there was "no animosity between them." DOUBLE STAN!!!!!!!!!!!
But tl;dr: Featuring a queer couple in the Bachelor franchise is a HUGE moment — for both the show itself and reality TV in general.
Especially since all the cast members were sooooo supportive!!!!!!!!
But, like, FINALLY!!! THIS 👏 IS 👏 THE 👏 REPRESENTATION 👏 WE 👏 NEED!!!!!!!!!!!! 👏
