During a live fundraiser for flood victims in Australia over the weekend, TV host Grant Denyer and sports reporter Ben Fordham, both married to women, made out. And they made a killing, too.
The guys appeared together on the Australia Unites: Red Cross Flood Appeal broadcast Saturday evening when someone called in from an unnamed corporation to pledge $50,000… but only if they “pashed.”
“What does ‘pash’ involve? Are we talking mouth open, closed?” host Amanda Keller asked. That’s when Denyer looked at Fordham and asked, “Are you up for it?” And what happened next, well, why don’t you watch for yourselves…
The liplock was meant to be in good fun, but not everyone felt so. Interestingly, it wasn’t homophobes who took issue with it, like you might expect. It was… LGBTQ people.
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One particularly sensitive Twitter user by the name of @NicoleMugford said she was “uncomfortable” with the whole thing because it trivialized same-sex relationships.
“I’m uncomfortable about the way that men kissing men and people cross dressing is being encouraged as a joke for charity on the Australia Unites,” she wrote. “Please don’t mock and joke about these things in the name of entertainment.”
I’m uncomfortable about the way that men kissing men and people cross dressing is being encouraged as a joke for charity on the Australia Unites. Please don’t mock and joke about these things in the name of entertainment #floodappeal #australiaunites
— Nicole Mugford (@NicoleMugford) March 12, 2022
To which a user by the name of @lilmissmel replied: “I feel you! I’m annoyed about Grant Denyer’s comment about the kiss being worth $5, like the LGBT community haven’t been fighting for rights for years.”
I feel you! I’m annoyed about Grant Denyer’s comment about the kiss being worth $5, like the LGBT community haven’t been fighting for rights for years. 🤬
— Melissa Blackwood 🌈🌸🌻 (@lilmissmel) March 12, 2022
And in a since-deleted tweet, user @alexleslie wrote: “Having two married straight men kiss on live TV to get a $50k charity donation from an unnamed corporation? Um, what? Why are they unnamed? And am I the only one who finds this stunt all kinds of sleazy?”
By the end of the night, 18,000 callers and more than 340,000 visitors to redcross.org.au/floodsappeal chipped in over $25 million to help those who have suffered from the devastating floods that have been happening across Queensland and New South Wales.
Afterwards, Fordham took to Twitter to thank Genyer “for the pash rash” as well as all the people who donated money to the fundraiser.
“Thanks to everyone who has supported the flood telethon #australiaunites and thanks @grantdenyer for the pash rash,” he wrote.
Thanks to everyone who has supported the flood telethon #australiaunites and thanks ?@grantdenyer? for the pash rash ? pic.twitter.com/2qJlHFOkfd
— Ben Fordham (@BenFordham) March 12, 2022
rrrich7
I think it’s wonderful. Straight guys who aren’t afraid of kissing each other. Of course it’s in Australia.
CatholicXXX
That wasn’t a kiss. It looked more like really bad CPR and the way the women acted so disturbed and traumatized made the whole thing even more awkward.
And shame on Queerty for calling the woman “sensitive” for pointing out they’re making a mockery of their sexuality.
theherald
@CatholicXXX, no one was making a mockery of anyone’s sexuality. The narcissistic Twitter scolds were indeed way too sensitive.
Fahd
Sad commentary on the guy who called in and maybe his cultural milieu that these two ordinary looking straight guys making out was some kind of test of limits or similar that he wanted to see, but put in the position, I certainly endorse them having kissed to get the money. Too bad they aren’t the least bit sexy (to me).
Jaquelope
Near the end of the clip, it looks like Grant Denyer is getting a bit of a stiffy.
Good for him.
Bosch
Some people will find any excuse to be offended. There are real evils in the world, and two people kissing for laughs is not one of them.
DarkZephyr
I didn’t find what they did offensive at all. I mean the only thing that might have been questionable was the way one of the ladies was all “Is it late enough for this” or something, as if a same sex kiss is such a risque thing. But even that comment should just roll off the back.
rangerwilcox
these are guys secure in their own. that’s always nice to see. they’re not threatened and only want to partake in getting the charity some cash flow. good for them!
nm4047
both did it for their own publicity, Forham has a bit of a right wing shock jock approach to his radio show and when he’s on some trashy womens panel TV show.
Donston
There’s nothing to really be “offended” by. But it is rather cringe-y and dated that there’s still so much gay panic and discomfort towards male homo behaviors that people think it’s somehow “daring” and “limit testing” and hilarious for two “straight presenting” guys to awkwardly kiss each other. It’s also corny that people still feel the need to praise two “straight presenting” guys for kissing each other. That ain’t something worthy of praise. It’s just something they did. I sometimes still feel like we’re stuck in 2003. Is it offensive? No. Is it cringe-y and dated? Yes. Typical hetero-normal, corny nonsense.
stan_heck984623462
Listen who cares. This does not mock same sex relationships. If it offends you “Get a Life”
RickHeathen
I feel bad for their wives. These guys can’t kiss worth a crap.
jt1990
It’s a pity these guys are married! Their homo-erotic stunt could have them grabbing more pu$&y than a special needs kid cornering a stray cat.
Most women can’t stand a gay man, simply for the fact he is unattainable. It’s insane the number of times I’ve seen very beautiful women pressed against a hideous homosexual, simply because they know he will never sleep with them.
Cam
@jt1990
It’s so predictable. Even when one of the right wing troll screenames tries to post on a non-political article to “blend in”, it still can’t hide itself. Mocking special needs kids, lying about gay people and women….
I mean, Sweetie, it’s like you haven’t lived life, they just wake you from your box, send you in here to comment and then shut you off again.
ZzBomb
@jt1990
So what are you doing on a site like Queerty? I seriously which this site had better moderators and a report option so we can get racist trolls like you dumped.
jt1990
Cam ok buddy I may have sounded a bit harsh. Many neurotypical kids are bad about grabbing animals that want to be left alone, and not all gay men are ugly. I’ve met one or two that I envied their looks a bit! My point was, many people (esp women) see you more desirable if it seems they have no chance with you. Even if you are sub-average in appearance.
Years ago I worked in an office and one particular young woman assumed I was gay. Very attractive and fresh out of college too! Not sure how I gave that vibe, but she took interest in me for a good while. Until a coworker informed her that I was straight and only been single a couple months. From then on I was treated like a fresh salad in Donald Trump’s refrigerator.
wikidBSTN
And no one died – fish still swam, birds flew in the air and everyone went about their business as usual.
AMAZING!
Good for them 🙂
Jbaltes
Great story but, once again proof that you can always find SOMETHING to offend SOMEONE!
Yooper
Not offensive and will hopefully spur further like challenges. Possibly opening some of the participants eyes to pleasures they didn’t know existed.
andrewmpls
It’s the same people who also complain that “Pride was a protest.” It’s 2022 and it’s okay to be accepted. If being gay is going to be treated as a novelty at times, then we should revel in it. The gays before us did not get this treatment.
bachy
I thought it was sweet.
jt1990
It’s sad what some people will do for money. Who am I kidding, I’d do the same for $50,000. Double that amount I might even kiss a black man! (As long he wears one of them co-id masks that is)
white-queer-african
@jt1990, you have surely exposed your racist fat ass with your comment. BTW I am married to a black man and I don’t need him to wear a “co-id”, read COVID no doubt, mask. So F*U*C*K U and your racism.
Kangol2
@jt1990, keep your hideous racist, misogynistic lips to yourself! Nobody wants them!
jt1990
white-queer-african I’m surprised Queerty doesn’t remove comments for use of the word covid. Facebook would have me flagged, marked for fact checking, and likely banned for 30 days! As for your marriage, that’s kind of taboo for me but I won’t judge!
Bosch
@jt how about you get back to shooting beer cans and humping your cousin, and let the grownups have their conversations.
Reth
One of my close friends has been friends and colleagues with Fordham for years and we did all go to a gay bar once, so I’m not as surprised as I’d be if I’d never met him. Fordham’s onscreen personality is… not for me… but offscreen he was a much more balanced person.
Preppy1000
What’s the big deal here? I thought the kiss was sweet and fun! Lighten up people!
IvanPH
This is not offensive. It is not mockery. It is not appropriation. It is an acknowledgement and appreciation of same sex relationships.
Cam
Was I offended? No, do I think it’s kind of sad that two straight men kissing was seen as some sort of torture they had to do to get a payday for a charity, yeah.
Either way, I hope the $50,000 went to good use.
EgidioTX
Really!?! Oh, really?!? Some people were offended by that? Ok, I’m gay and am now offended that I breathe the same air some people do. People can be so f-sensitive these days…
ZzBomb
Idk seemed pretty non-controversial to me. And if it raises money for a good cause? Who cares!?