Axed Married at First Sight 2022 groom Simon Blackburn has denied being homophobic in his latest TikTok video, saying he “loves lesbians.”
Last week, the 35-year-old was dropped from MAFS 2022 after only two weeks in the experiment. The dumping came after homophobic, racist, fat-phobic and misogynistic videos made by the groom surfaced online.
During one video, the Melbourne-based FIFO worker described homosexuality as “filth”.
“You might as well jump in a box, you’re gonna get AIDS,” he said. “If you are gay, you are gonna get AIDS.
“It’s just disgusting… That sexual orientation is f*cking filth.” Disgusting, we know.
On Tuesday, Simon took to social media to defend himself and the resurfaced videos. He even went as far as to say he has “never publicly” claimed to be against homosexuality.
“Let me address that video. I was on a live talking about the footy that weekend,” he began. “Every man and his dog was saying ‘Simmo, you’re not a man until you’ve been with a man’.”
He then claimed he’d “probably had ten beers” at the time and “lost the plot” before he made the comments about homosexuality being “filth”.
It’s important to note here that in the original video, Simon was driving, which several people viewing the live clip were quick to note.
“U were driving tho [sic],” one said while another wrote: “You admitted to drinking and driving.”
Simon Blackburn Says He Has Never Claimed To “Not Like Gays”
Simon also claimed that the video that went viral last week was “cut up and recirculated” months after it was filmed.
“So let me explain it… I’ve never publicly come onto a social media platform and said that I do not like gays,” he expressed.
“I can openly tell you right now that I absolutely love lesbians. I love them mate, I watch them three times a week.”
The father-of-two added that he has “nothing against the LGBT community”.
“So that situation is addressed,” he concluded. “I have no issue with the LGBT community.”
Married at First Sight‘s Liam Cooper Responded To The Homophobic Videos
When Simon’s original videos emerged last week, Married at First Sight‘s first bisexual groom, Liam Cooper, said he was “lost for words”.
“I’ve had had many people tag me and inbox me in regards to those videos and to be honest, I am lost for words and taken aback,” he told So Dramatic!.
Liam also wondered how Simon made it past the show’s casting and psychological evaluation.
“To think that producers hid my video and edited out the fact that the video made about me was homophobic, biphobic and fat shaming and then to see that the show has now [cast] someone who is homophobic really makes me question a lot.
“It’s 2021 and we are allowing people who are homophobic and think like this on our TV screens?!
“I truly want to know how in god name he made it past the casting and psych testing!”
Liam then added that the content was “heartbreaking” for LGBTQIA Community and offered some words of support.
“What’s really heartbreaking is that there are members from the LGBTQIA Community, and those who are still trying to find their self and they have to see this!
“What I want to remind all the young people out there that might have seen this, PLEASE do not listen! It’s ok to be gay, bi, transgender, lesbian, queer WHOEVER you want to be.
“Just know there is support and people out in the world that love you and accept you,” he confirmed.
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