Miel Pangilinan comes out as member of LGBTQ community

INQUIRER.net / 12:06 PM June 15, 2022

Image: Instagram/@mielpangilinan

Miel Pangilinan revealed being a member of the LGBTQ+ community, marking her first Pride Month of being “openly and publicly queer.”

Pangilinan made this revelation by showing herself holding a rainbow flag via her Instagram page yesterday, June 14.

“This June, I am celebrating my first pride month as openly and publicly queer. I really can’t figure out the words to say right now. It’s a really emotional and freeing time right now, and I’m endlessly thankful to my close friends and family who have supported me and shown me love as I’ve grown and explored my own gender and sexual identity,” she said.

Pangilinan then admitted it felt “cathartic” to come out. She looked back at her childhood and teenage life, when she used to worry and wonder about her identity.

“[It] only feels right that I post this at the point I’m in now where I’m comfortable enough in who I am and who I love and how I choose to present. It’s kind of a full circle moment for me, in a way,” she told the public.

Pangilinan also noted that the Philippines has a “long way to go in terms of our fight for equality” while acknowledging the work and sacrifices of LGBTQ individuals in the past.

“I’ve also got a lot to learn and understand as a newer member of the Filipino queer community and I’m trying my best to educate myself on current situations and present issues relating to gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights in our country, and I am always open to learn as much as I can especially from other figures in our community,” she added.

“Happiest and safest of Pride Months, allies and members of the queer community alike,” she greeted. “And yes I am the gay cousin.”

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Among those who showed support for Miel were her sisters KC Concepcion and Frankie Pangilinan, as well as her cousins Kiana Valenciano and Gab Pangilinan.

“Congratulations. I’m so proud of you! I love you sister. I’m always going to be here for you as your ate (sister) no matter what. Happy pride,” Concepcion said.

“Girlfriend, boyfriend, nonbinary friend [I don’t care]. They will all be getting a good n tough roundhouse kick from me,” Frankie quipped.