Rabiya Mateo fully supports Michelle Dee's coming out
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“I'm happy for her.”
This was Rabiya Mateo's reaction when asked about her fellow beauty queen Michelle Dee's coming out as bisexual.
“I'm actually not surprised kasi parang… Siyempre, na sa industry tayo na people are kinda scared because of the judgment. Pero Michelle Dee, she's very tough. Siguro, she just looked for that perfect moment for her.”
Weeks after winning the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 title, the Sparkle actress-TV host declares her gender identity.
“I definitely identify myself as bisexual,” Michelle said in an interview with Mega Entertainment.
For Rabiya, the beauty queen's revelation is “very inspiring.”
She said, “Aside from Beatrice Luigi Gomez, siya kasi yung nag-out na sa self niya as bisexual representative of Miss Universe [Philippines]. Now, we have Michelle Dee. So, inclusivity-wise, her back story, malakas yung laban ni Michelle Dee. Kilala ko siya, kung paano siya nag-sacrifice para sa competition na 'yon. I know, hindi niya ito palalampasin.”
The Miss Universe Philppines 2020 also believes that Michelle's story would be an advantage for her in the prestigious beauty pageant.
“They're very inclusive, mas open-minded sila,” Rabiya said about the Miss Universe Organization.
“Actually, mas marami pa ngang Plipino, na nagugulat ako, na up until this moment, 2023 na, ang dami pa ring judgmental na tao. I don't think it's gonna be an issue. I think it's gonna be an advantage. She has a lot of story to tell.”
Aside from Michelle's coming out story, Rabiya thinks her advocacy will also have a strong point in her Miss Universe journey.
Michelle has long been supporting different autism organizations.
“True talaga siya to her advocacy,” she said.
“Kasi, yung autism advocacy niya, ever since after Miss World, kahit hindi pa siya sumali ulit sa Miss Universe Philippines, she's been doing it. Nakikita siya, lumalabas siya, yung story niya about her brothers. So, I think it's her advantage kasi we need a transformational leader with a story that would influence talaga. Impact talaga ang kailangan natin and I think, she got it.”
MEANWHILE HERE ARE OTHER CELEBRITIES WHO CHAMPION LGBTQIA+ RIGHTS:
