All season we’ve been waiting to see whether Chris’s parents would go to his wedding on Bride and Prejudice.
While Chris was initially rejected by his parents, he spent some time with them in the hope of convincing them to come. He even bought them tickets to Palm Springs, where the wedding was to take place, in case they changed their minds.
In last night’s finale, we found out that his parents, Yvonne and Geoff, ultimately decided to not go.
Chris’s aunt and uncle travelled from Australia for the wedding, and broke the heartbreaking news to him hours before the ceremony.
Instead, Yvonne sent him a video explaining why she rejected the wedding invitation.
Her entire message said:
“Hi Chris, it’s just Mum talking to you today because Dad actually found this all a little too overwhelming. Just as you are hurting, so are we. I’m really sorry if you thought you weren’t loved or that we weren’t proud of you when you were a young boy. I thought I knew you, I felt very close to you at that time, and I loved you, and I loved you very dearly…and I still do, Chris. It wasn’t until you were about 20-21 that we came to understand that you were starting to live a homosexual life. We tried to stay in your life as much as we could, considering our strong views on the subject.
“I know a lot of people today think they’re outdated and old-fashioned, but they’re something we value and hold dearly. We’re pretty strong on how we feel about the situation and we also know what you want us to be able to give you – which is acceptance of your personal life choices – and Chris, we can’t. But in saying that, we do want to know how well you’re doing, and that you’re well, and that you’re OK. But for now, Chris, you really are about to do something that we find really hard to accept, which is to have a wedding ceremony. I hold marriage very sacred so I can’t give you that acceptance or be part of that part of your life. That part of your life is just not compatible with ours, but your life is yours to live as you see fit.
“We want you to know that we do love you, and we want you to keep well. And… Yeah, that’s really all I’ve got to say at this stage. I love you and keep well. Bye.”
And as expected, people were furious over how a mother could do that to her own son.
That message was designed to hurt. It's not the act of a good parent or a good Christian. Love is love is love is love. #brideandprejudice
— Uninspired (@GrumpyBoat) March 13, 2017
Yvonne doesn't like her sons 'personal choices'. Homosexuality isn't a choice. Being a homophobic bigot is. #BrideAndPrejudice
— Arkady (@Arkady2009) March 13, 2017
Love can't be conditional. It cant be bits a pieces. You're in or you're out. If you can't commit, don't be a parent. #BrideAndPrejudice
— Beck (@GotTraught) March 13, 2017
Poor Chris, he's such a lovely, gentle guy & his parents just keep ripping his heart to shreds… They don't deserve him. #brideandprejudice
— ?Sapphire ? ? (@Sapphire_Ann) March 13, 2017
But somehow, even after all that his parents put him through, Chris still had the heart to thank them during his wedding speech.
Plus, Chris’s husband Grant took to Twitter to show everyone that despite it all, the two are united, happy, and hopeful for their future.
Thank you Australia for all the support 🙂 you have given us all hope and love for a better day! #brideandprejudice #marriageequality pic.twitter.com/E64xJzKl1f
— Grant Landry (@grantlandry) March 13, 2017
And Chris shared the sentiment, ending his time on the show by saying, “I’ll never cut myself off from my parents, and I’ll always be there if they need me. But I’m not putting myself out there to be hurt by them any more. I’m focusing on my family now, and my family is Grant.”
