The latest bond to be tested on Season 24 of the CBS show is Matthew “Turner” Turner and Michael Bruner’s friendship.
Following an argument between the two housemates regarding nominations, fans have debated whether Turner, who is bisexual, used both of the players’ connections to the LGBTQ community as part of his game plan.
Michael, who is gay, was the second houseguest to be eliminated on the Thursday, September 9 episode, following Terrance Higgins, who was also sent home, but ahead of his shock exit he was seen quarrelling with his co-star.
The start of Turner and Michael’s clash was seen on the Big Brother live feed before Michael left, after the cameras returned from being temporarily taken down ahead of the eviction.
The disagreement began after Terrance left and a week’s worth of Big Brother was squeezed into one night as part of the double eviction. The Head of Household was announced, the Power of Veto competition was won and an eviction took place, all within the space of one episode.
Turner was Head of Household for the accelerated game, and Monte Taylor then won the Power of Veto, leading to Michael and Brittany Hoopes being put up for eviction.
The live feed returned after the Power of Veto competition and Turner and Michael were heard talking loudly, with Michael accusing Turner of using their LGBT status as “manipulation.”
Due to the live feeds only showing the second half of their discussion it’s not clear what sparked it, but fans believe Michael may have been angry due to Turner previously stating that he would not vote another LGBT player out, and then seemingly going back on his word.
“I would never take out the LGBT person,” Michael said, with Turner responding: “That was my plan.”
Michael then said: “Don’t use that for manipulation,” as Turner said “I did not. That was my plan.”
Later, while speaking to his co-star Brittany about Michael’s accusations, Turner said: “I hate what he [Michael] said about me too. He said I used LGBTQ manipulation against him.
“I never in a million years would have done that nor did I do that.”
Responding to Turner’s claims, some Big Brother fans to took social media to argue against him, saying that he did use a game plan involving him and Michael’s LGBTQ status.
Some fans believe Turner used his promise of not voting out a fellow LGBTQ housemate to maintain Michael on his side, and keep himself in the competition, before contradicting himself and voting Michael out.
“Yes you did Turner. Your words were ‘You never wanted to vote out Michael because he represented the LGBT community.’ Don’t lie. #bb24,” argued one viewer.
As another posted: “This morning Turner told Michael that he, similar to how Taylor didn’t want to target Jasmine, does not want to target Michael because they’re both members of the LGBT community.”
Other Big Brother viewers, however, took Turner’s side and called out Michael for being the one who was “weaponising” his LGBT status to try and ensure Turner didn’t nominate him.
“Is Michael really using the LGBT card on Turner? #BB24,” questioned one fan.
Another particularly furious viewer wrote: “And Michael, don’t you DARE weaponize the LGBT community with Turner like you did with race last week. You do not represent us, and you are officially one of the most hated players in the history of this game - you will not be missed. #BigBrother.”
While another asked: “Did Michael just go off on Turner for putting up an LGBT person lmaoooo #bb24.”
After his argument with Turner, Michael was evicted from the Big Brother house.
Only Turner, Brittany, Monte, Taylor Hale and Alyssa Snyder remain in the competition.
Big Brother airs on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays on CBS.
