Ahead of Pride Month, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee has confirmed her gender identity publicly for the first time. “I definitely identify myself as bisexual. I’ve identified with that for as long as I can remember,” she told Mega as the magazine’s cover artist this June. She added, “I’m attracted to all forms of beauty, all shapes and sizes.”
Photo via Michelle Dee on Instagram by Doc Marlon
Dee emphasized that it has always been an open secret, so she is “confirming” rather than “revealing” her sexuality. In fact, this comes after the 10-year-old throwback photos of her crossdressed resurfaced and made rounds online to her surprise, despite archiving them. She explained, “I want to come out with this story because I know that those photos were spread with malicious intent — to kind of distract me, make me feel I’m not worthy of the crown.”
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Also read: MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES 2023 MICHELLE DEE’S REACTION TO THOSE WHO QUESTION HER VICTORY
She also shared how her mother, Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez, would tease her for her “boyish demeanor,” saying she had “five girlfriends” when she was young. Nevertheless, Dee never had to come out per se. “I was getting positive feedback by just being myself. I never had to identify myself. I never had to come out. I was never really confronted about it by my parents or people who matter,” she said.
Photo: MUPH | Michelle Dee
Also read: 5 FACTS ABOUT MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES 2023 MICHELLE DEE
