Miss Cavite Billie Hakenson: “I did not come out. I certainly did not come out on the Miss Universe Philippines stage. I simply reiterated my truth”
Miss Cavite Billie Hakenson’s closed door interview went viral this week. When she stated that she’s a proud bisexual, most publications penned it as a coming out story. But Hakenson is here to set the record straight—it’s not.
On her social media post today, she made a statement for the first time after making waves online. “I did not come out. I certainly did not come out on the Miss Universe Philippines stage,” reads her caption. “I simply reiterated my truth.”
Hakenson states that she’s a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. In the post, she explains that she sees her sexuality as a mere fraction of her identity, adding that this journey is also for queer Filipinos out there.
“This journey is dedicated to every single person who has been pigeonholed, discriminated, or dehumanized for their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation,” reads her caption. “May we no longer be silenced by fear, but empowered by our truth and the support of our allies.”
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We’re not taking back what we said. She’s a strong competitor and a great example of what a proud, bisexual woman looks like.
No matter what the results of this pageant may be, she already made an impact on the community she supports. And we’ll always be thankful for that.
