Netflix has a new dating series that requires couples to “date” for ten days, by having both participants sit in individual pods, giving them the opportunity to speak to one another, without seeing each other. If there is a love connection, couples then have the opportunity to meet at the altar following a proposal.
That was the scenario for Carlton Morton and Diamond Jack who would never see their honeymoon phase after Morton dropped the bomb on Jack that he identifies as sexually fluid, meaning he has dated both men and women. Only one problem, Morton waited until the couple got engaged to tell Jack this information.
“There were just some things that were triggered once we began having the conversation and kinda her response to me. Even the night before when we had the big conversation, it kinda was like, the first question was, ‘Well, do you want to be with a man?” Morton began. “And it’s kinda like, well, no, that’s the whole point of me being a fluid. I just love people. So why is that the immediate go to? It kinda made me super defensive and it made me shut down.”
The scene has sparked tons of controversy from viewers and their beliefs on black men being on the “down low.” Jack states that she wishes she had taken a different approach after Morton felt comfortable enough to share his truth with her. “Maybe I should have been more encouraging and maybe start off saying, ‘I’m happy you were able to open up to me. I’m happy you’re able to bring this to my attention at this moment in time. Or, I’m happy you came out. I know this is very hard for you to do that. That possibly could have changed that whole outcome of how we were aggressive toward each other.”
Morton then explains that he feels like the LGBTQ community has been very supportive of him, however, he feels like people are ignoring the bigger picture here. “I do feel like the true story there about bisexual men is being overlooked, because people are so angry at an argument between two people who were faced with a new situation that they had neither one had ever been in before.”
The show was filmed in 2018. When asked how he feels about the show, Morton replied, “It has been the most amazing experience and experiment ever. I have no regrets. I’m actually trying to see if they can still help me find love.”