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Love Is Blind Season 8: Politics Split Couples at the Altar

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The eighth season of Netflix’s popular dating show, “Love Is Blind,” which was set in Minneapolis, was certainly unusual. A majority of the drama took place within the pods, where two entangled love triangles eventually disintegrated, leaving four intriguing participants largely absent during the second half of the series. Except for a few instances (such as Dave and Lauren separating due to his lack of trust in her due to gossipy friends and family), the romantic trips and Midwest homecomings seemed relatively smooth. However, when it came time to propose, only one out of five engaged couples—Taylor and Daniel, who are enthusiastic about Christmas—said “I do.” It wasn’t until the reunion on Sunday that the real nature of “Minnesota nice” was finally revealed.

This episode was filled with unexpected events, from secret messages after a breakup to an update that left the situation involving Madison, Mason, Alex, and Meg in a state of confusion, with several individuals possibly deceiving each other. However, amidst the harsh criticisms and hidden evidence (kudos to Madison for successfully hiding anything in that dress), it was the ideological differences that led two women to call off their wedding at the altar that stood out. Just like many aspects of American life, the show ‘Love Is Blind’ has become more politically charged lately. So, it’s not surprising that a season filmed in a swing state on the eve of the 2024 election would not only echo but also shed light on a political divide often represented as a gender gap.

The discussion regarding their incompatibility due to political differences initially surfaced during the postmortem analysis of Devin and Virginia’s engagement. Despite appearing to be one of the most suitable couples of the season, their debates on politics—her liberal views versus his conservatism—were always tense, with him avoiding her questions about his specific opinions. The reunion served as a reminder that this was a significant factor in Virginia’s decision not to marry. “We disagreed on some major issues,” she stated. “Devin shared many aspects of his core values—something he preferred not to discuss on camera.” Although she respected his desire for privacy regarding his beliefs, her openness about her own views created an implicit contrast: “I am a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community. I also believe that women should have the right to decide if they want to have an abortion. I believe that different religions should be respected.” Devin’s response was typically ambiguous. “I can overlook certain aspects,” he said. “I think it’s possible to maintain a relationship and not always agree on everything. And for me, as a Christian, the most important thing is to love everyone, regardless of my feelings towards a particular issue.

The reason for Sara and Ben’s separation seemed to be a recurring issue in their relationship during the season. Although religion hadn’t played a significant role in Sara’s life, she decided to explore the church that seemed crucial to Ben. However, upon investigating its teachings, she found a sermon on sexuality that advocated traditional views, which resonated with her since her sister is part of the LGBTQ community. Despite Ben claiming comfort with this group, his attitudes towards LGBTQ rights, the Black Lives Matter movement, and other social issues appeared indifferent at best. In the pods, he even admitted not voting in the last election and maintaining a distance from these matters (“I’ve just been staying out of it”). After their aborted ceremony, Sara explained her decision: “Issues like equality, religion, even vaccines, I brought them up because I believe they’re all crucial discussions. If you have beliefs, at least engage in the conversation. There was no eagerness for dialogue from his end.

During the gathering, Ben admitted that his perspectives, or rather the absence of them, were influenced by privilege, particularly in regards to his church’s stance on sexual identity, as he had never given it much thought since there wasn’t anyone in his life it directly affected. Sara clarified she wasn’t aiming to judge him with a test of any kind. “I wasn’t searching for the correct or incorrect answer,” she explained. “I just desired an open dialogue. The issue was, beyond our conversations, it never advanced.” This standstill left her uncertain about who Ben truly was at the end of it all.

In a state that narrowly supported Kamala Harris over Donald Trump by only 4% in 2024, the cast of “Love Is Blind” Season 8 showcases a clear split within Minnesota. This dynamic mirrors the significant nationwide gender gap—a divide that the Trump campaign attempted to widen by targeting men under 40—as women predominantly voted Democratic and men leaned Republican. Over the past four months, this topic has been extensively analyzed in the media. However, the essence of these disagreements is often not presented in a relatable manner for people living in predominantly red or blue regions, as it was this season.

Experts across political lines have predictably used Sara’s and Virginia’s decisions as examples to support their views. A New York Post article prior to their reunion, which labeled Sara as “woke,” referenced conservative commentators like Laura Ingraham and Tomi Lahren who supported Ben (with Lahren saying, “Is there anything more annoying than a liberal white woman?”). On the other hand, feminist blogs interpreted it differently. Betches commented, “It’s one thing to be uninformed or put off by the intricacies of our dual-party system. But to intentionally ignore information on major social issues (basically, human rights) so that you can maintain a peaceful image, is the epitome of privilege.” A Scary Mommy blogger wrote, “This entire season shows us that women are always working hard.

I won’t hide my alignment with those who share similar sentiments, nor can I justify the vile misogyny targeted at Sara and Virginia from the right-wing sector, other than expressing disgust towards it. However, I find it puzzling how the political disagreements between these couples go beyond typical partisanship or the specific beliefs of each partner.

On one hand, we have two women who deeply oppose stances they know would negatively impact those dear to them – from Sara’s sister to the Muslim relatives Virginia mentions. On the other, we find two men who dismiss political views as mere theoretical concepts, unworthy of public discussion or consideration based on their impact on real people. Essentially, they seem unwilling to acknowledge that politics truly matter.

To illustrate, if you believe same-sex marriage is wrong and vote accordingly, even if you’re cordial with LGBTQ+ couples, your actions still cause them harm. Now, as Trump supporters in the U.S. face the consequences of policies they voted for, Ben and Devin’s refusal to acknowledge the connection between politics and reality feels like a dangerous form of denial that is both pervasive and alarming.

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2025-03-11 00:06

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