Pride Month 2025: Michelle Dee sa mga hirap lumantad: ‘Come out at your own time’

PHOTO: Instagram/@michelledee

NGAYONG ipinagdiriwang ang Pride Month, nagbigay ng makahulugang mensahe si Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee.

Kamakailan lang, nakachikahan ng BANDERA ang beauty queen-actress at humingi kami sa kanya ng payo para sa mga magulang na hirap tanggapin ang kanilang anak na miyembro ng LGBTQ community.

“Una sa lahat, tips sa anak is don’t feel pressure to come out at your own time, come out when you feel like it’s necessary. Don’t let anyone take your story away from you,” panimulang pahayag ni Michelle.

Iginiit din ng beauty queen na ang pagiging totoo sa sarili ay isang uri ng empowerment, ngunit hindi ito dapat minamadali o ipinipilit. 

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“As long as you’re doing it with the right intentions, with the right purpose or just being true to who you are, then do that. I support you,” sey niya.

Para naman sa mga magulang na hanggang ngayon ay nahihirapang tanggapin ang tunay na pagkatao ng kanilang anak, may taos-pusong mensahe si Michelle.

“I hope that we can embrace our children with open arms. [You] raised them, [You] guide them, [You] love them, we’re supposed to love them unconditionally,” wika ni Michelle.

Aminado siyang hindi madaling tanggapin ang lahat agad-agad, pero ang pagmamahal ng isang magulang ang dapat na mangibabaw: “There will be things that will confuse us and sometimes it’s harder – some days than other days – but at the heart of it, as long as you love your kid and you express it non-violently, what you’re feeling or what your concerns are, then just know that you are the first line of defense of your child.”

Ayon pa sa kanya, kung siya man ang nasa kalagayan ng isang anak na magka-come out sa kanyang mga magulang, ang hiling niya ay simpleng pagtanggap.

“I’d love to feel accepted and I’d love my parents to know that I’m not doing it in spite of them, I’m just doing it to be myself,” saad ni Michelle.

“Sana maintindihan ng mga magulang. I know it’s hard and not easy, but at the end of the day, family comes first,” aniya pa.

Kung matatandaan, noong May 2023 nang isapubliko ni Michelle na isa siyang bisexual sa isang exclusive interview ng Mega Magazine.

“I definitely identify myself as bisexual. I’ve identified with that for as long as I can remember. I’m attracted to all forms of beauty, all shapes and sizes,” lahad niya sa dating panayam.

Bago pa man siya mag-come out, kilala na rin si Michelle bilang isang aktibong LGBTQ+ ally—sumasama sa pride marches, nagsusulong ng equality, at ipinaglalaban ang karapatan ng komunidad.

Matatandaang naging kontrobersyal din ang paglabas ng mga lumang litrato ni Michelle na may malisyosong intensyon. 

Pero imbes na matakot o magtago, ginamit niya ito bilang pagkakataon para bawiin ang kanyang narrative.

“When somebody takes away your story, then you should take control of that narrative. Turn it around and make it an empowering story,” pahayag niya.

Mensahe pa ng beauty queen sa lahat: “Own who you really are…Respect people, spread love, and spread light. There’s too much hate in the world. Let’s make a conscious effort to make this a better world.”