Beatriz Gomez. Image: Instagram/@beatriceluigigmz
Beatrice Gomez has stated that her intentions to represent the LGBTQIA+ community during her stint at Miss Universe 2021 were sincere, saying that she is a pansexual woman who is attracted to anyone regardless of gender.
Years after representing the Philippines in the global competition, Gomez is dismissing allegations that she was simply claiming to be a member of the LGBTQIA+ community in hopes of winning over the industry to her side during the contest. She expressed her denial in a lengthy post on her Instagram account on Friday, June 30.
“To those who questioned my representation of the LGBTQIA+ community during Miss Universe 2021, I have been silent for years knowing that I have spoken my truth and that I am proud of the advancement that my representation has brought to the country, especially to the LGBTQIA+ community as the first representative. openly gay from the Philippines,” he said.
The beauty queen later confirmed that she is currently in a relationship with someone who is “of the opposite sex.” She clarified, however, that this does not change her sexuality or detract from her advocacy work, as she has campaigned for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community since 2015.
“I’m pansexual, which means I don’t take a person’s gender into account, which technically makes me bisexual, since I can be bisexual with any gender,” she said.
“It is not easy to embrace my sexuality, especially when it comes to people who do not accept me for who I am and experience bullying, discrimination and harassment. It could have been so much easier for me to stay in the closet and have everyone’s support, but there I was continuing the fight as my platform got bigger,” she continued.
The Cebuana stunner also clarified that her gender has no bearing on her Miss Universe journey, while also expressing disappointment that she was accused of “queerbaiting” despite her “minimal presence” on social media.
“It annoys me when people tell me that I just affirmed that I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community to promote my reign in 2021 when my representation of the LGBTQIA+ community has been an ongoing defense even before I ran into pageants,” she continued. .
Gomez further said that she continues to advocate for the community as she has seen “how my representation paved the way for our young dreamers to have confidence in themselves.”
“You can continue to judge me. I know my truth and I will continue to celebrate Pride Month every year.”
Gomez’s post caught the attention of beauty queens Michelle Dee, Angelique Manto and Maureen Wroblewitz in the comments.
Dee, who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023, came out as bisexual last May.
Image: Instagram screenshot/@beatriceluigigmz
Gomez was the country’s first openly LGBTQIA+ representative at the Miss Universe pageant. She finished in the Top 5, while India’s Harnaaz Sandhu emerged as the winner.
He was previously in a relationship with Kate Jagdon before their breakup was confirmed in November 2021. edv
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