SUMMARY
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Kimberly “Billie” Hakenson, Cavite’s representative to the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 pageant, said that she’s bisexual and “proud to be here” during the preliminary interviews held in Baguio City.
“I’m Billie Hakenson, I’m representing Cavite. I work as a flight attendant, and I’ve been flying for 4 years now. I am a dog person. I love to cook, I love to stay at home, and I’m a bisexual. And I’m proud to be here,” she said during her introduction, which was also part of the Ring Light series teaser early this week.
Billie is among only a handful of openly queer pageant contestants in the Philippines.
In her interview, Billie was asked a number of questions – from picking a beautiful word in Filipino and what color she thinks represents a phenomenal woman.
She initially said chartreuse and when later asked to spell the word, she said jokingly, “Green na lang! It’s a very hard color to pull off but I think with the right level of confidence, I can do it.”
Chartreuse is a color between yellow and green.
In an Instagram post on June 2, Billie posted a photo of a rainbow flag with the caption: “Will forever be grateful and honored to raise our flag.”
On Thursday, October 22, Billie shared on her Instagram Stories a letter from some of her supporters in the LGBTQ+ community.
On Friday, October 23, Billie said she was reiterating her truth.
“I am bisexual. While who I love and have loved, does not define the core of my being, I am a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community.”
She also dedicated her journey in the pageant to those “who [have] been pigeonholed, discriminated, or dehumanized for their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.”
“May we no longer be silenced by fear, but empowered by our truth and the support of our allies.”
Billie is one of over 40 candidates vying for the title of Miss Universe Philippines. The finals will be telecast on October 25. – Alexa Villano/Rappler.com
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