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"Real Housewives" Star Posts First Picture of Girlfriend After Coming Out

Braunwyn Windham-Burke has made history as the first openly gay Housewife.

On Tuesday, December 2, The Real Housewives of Orange County star Braunwyn Windham-Burke became the first openly gay Real Housewife when she shared in an interview with GLAAD that she is a lesbian. And soon after, Windham-Burke opened up further about her life when she posted a photo of her girlfriend on Instagram. Not long after her interview with GLAAD was published, the RHOC star shared a snap of herself and a woman in her Instagram Story along with a pink heart emoji and a rainbow flag. People reports that the woman is Windham-Burke's girlfriend, Kris.

We don't know much about Kris yet, but read on to find out more of what you can expect to see of Windham-Burke and her relationship on this season of Real Housewives, as well as her status with her husband, Sean Burke. And for more Bravo news, check out "Real Housewives of Atlanta" Halts Production After Staffer Gets COVID.

Her girlfriend will be part of the current season.

Braunwyn Windham-Burke and girlfriend Kris
Instagram/braunwynwindhamburke

A mid-season trailer for RHOC was released on the same day Windham-Burke came out publicly. In one part of the preview, you can hear cast member Kelly Dodd say, "What's going on with your girlfriend?" to which Windham-Burke replies, "I love her." As Reality Blurb points out, Windham-Burke is with her friend Sharee while the question about the girlfriend is asked, but this is not the woman she is dating.

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Meeting a woman she wanted to date helped Windham-Burke come out.

braunwyn-windham burke being interviewed
GLAAD/YouTube

In her interview with GLAAD's Anthony Ramos, Windham-Burke said, "I met someone that I was interested in pursuing a relationship with. It became something that I didn't want to hide anymore and I didn't want to keep secret anymore."

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She shared what she loves about Kris. 

Braunwyn Instagram pic
Braunwyn Windham-Burke/Instagram

Asked by Ramos what she loves about Kris, Windham-Burke replied, "I love her eyes. I love just staring into them. She has the sweetest disposition. She just listens. And she notices things about me. She pays attention." Then she broke out into giggles.

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She doesn't plan to divorce her husband.

braunwyn and sean on real housewives of orange county
Bravo

Also in the GLAAD interview, Windham-Burke said that she does not plan to divorce her husband of 20 years with whom she has seven children. "I love Sean. I love him dearly. He is my person. He is my family," she said. "But I am not attracted to men and I never have been."

She went on to explain, "Sean and I are still married. I plan on staying married." Windham-Burke and Burke's vow renewal was shown during the current season of RHOC. At the time the episode aired, Windham-Burke captioned a picture from the day, "20 years and counting, here's to keeping it 'weird,' and doing things our own way. Love you."

They also still live together.

Braunwyn and family
Braunwyn Windham-Burke

Windham-Burke said that she and Burke still live in the same house as they raise their children, but that they do not share the same room. She also said that Burke has met Kris and that she has come over for dinner. "It's only as weird as you make it," the Real Housewife added.

And the two seem to be on the same page about their nontraditional relationship. As reported by Page Six, Burke showed his support for his wife on his Instagram Story. Alongside a picture of them together he wrote, "I love you. I'm proud of you. And I support you. Always."

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Lia Beck
Lia Beck is a writer living in Richmond, Virginia. In addition to Best Life, she has written for Refinery29, Bustle, Hello Giggles, InStyle, and more. Read more
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