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'Bachelor' Contestants Respond To Claims That Their Love Is A Publicity Stunt

'Bachelor' Contestants Respond To Claims That Their Love Is A Publicity Stunt
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Yes, two “Bachelor” contestants found love with each other. No, they’re not doing it for the publicity.

Megan Marx and Tiffany Scanlon appear on the January 2017 cover of Maxim Australia after being named “Couple of the Year.” The two revealed that their relationship turned into more than just a friendship before “The Bachelor Australia” even aired earlier this year. One of the “funniest” ― and most pervasive ― rumors they’re heard thus far is that their romance is only for “publicity or money.”

“I think without people properly knowing us, and seeing us together, it can all seem a bit ‘too good to be true,’” Marx told Maxim. “Some people can be fairly negative, but there is also so much support so we are trying to focus on that.”

“Usually we just say, ‘OK, you can think what you like,’” Scanlon addd. “I don’t have the time or energy to spend trying to convince the critics that we are together. It just makes me sad that we live in such a cynical world where a lot of people choose to believe it is a lie rather than having trust and faith in that it is the truth.”

Maxim Australia

The two hope their Maxim appearance will help change people’s mindsets, particularly in their native Australia, where LGBT couples are still fighting for the right to marry.

“I’m feeling really proud, but also hoping it might change some people’s attitudes about same-sex relationships,” Marx said.

“I feel so incredibly honored and grateful to Maxim for believing in us and for helping us break down barriers and misunderstanding around same-sex relationships,” Scanlon added. “I love Megan so much and I’m excited to share that love with Australia.”

Scanlon took to Instagram to share the cover and take the haters to task for their issues with her relationship.

“If you think that this is some fake anti feminist lesbianised [sic] sexual male fantasy then you are only aiding in the [judgmental] backward thinking of society whether you are straight, gay, bi or however else you choose to label yourself,” she wrote.

Oh hey 👋 hey there 🤓 just me, the real human being with real human emotions behind this account. See my face...im excited and im super proud of what @megan.leto.marx and I have achieved here. I knew it would be controversial, i knew it would ruffle feathers, i knew there would be criticism and judgement but guess what, I did it anyway! Why? Because (a) im an experience junkie as per my bio and it was pretty damn awesome to be asked to be on the cover of Maxim. (b) I do what I want because I want to; not for any body else; not to impress or offend or any other reason than because I WANT TO and I honestly don't need anyone's approval. (c) I have always and will always continue to advocate acceptance and no labels in all areas of life. I dont label myself or my relationship; I simply live and love and create life on my own terms. (d) @maxim_aus may be sold as a mens mag, but what does that matter? I really like reading it! and they have shown us more support than most other Australian media and i am proud to shoot with a publication who is as much about pushing boundaries as we are. The shoot was tasteful and had less nudity than some of our other shared photos on social media and the interview had everything we wanted to say. (e) if you think that this is some fake anti feminist lesbianised sexual male fantasy then you are only aiding in the judgemental backward thinking of society whether you are straight, gay, bi or however else you choose to label yourself. #dropthemic #hatersgotnorighttohate #takeyourbestshot #enoughisenough #noregrets #nolabels #acceptance #stopbeingsodamnjudgemental #loveislove #lifeonyourterms #idowhatiwant #donttellmehowtolivemylife

A photo posted by Tiffany Scanlon (@tiffany_janes) on

You do you, Megan and Tiffany, and thanks for speaking up for the community.

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