Image: Instagram/@pressmanissa
Issa Pressman reflected on the acceptance she received from her late dad Ronald and her older sister Yassi when she came out as bisexual, as she aimed to inspire every household to support their loved ones who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Issa opened up about this to mark the celebration of Pride Month, through her Instagram page last Sunday, June 25.
“I would have not grown to be as expressive, honest [and] free if it weren’t for the people who allowed me to be. My own home [and] family accepted me, didn’t stop me nor judge me… so then, I felt like no one else can,” she wrote.
“I’ve been blessed to experience love with both men [and] women,” she continued. “Blessed to be seeing who they are [and] how they loved me. Seeing beyond the physical. It’s the heart, personality, dreams [and] the connection that becomes the basis of my relationship.”
Issa then recalled how she came out first to Yassi, who has been very supportive of her since then.
“At 16, I was living alone. One night, I couldn’t sleep, I decided to come out to her,” Issa recounted. “It was surprising news for her but she accepted me. If any, it was a start of us being solid.”
“A couple of years after, I told my dad,” she added. “He was honest he wasn’t for it, but said, ‘If this is what makes you happy, then be it,’ and he was there for me all the way.”
Issa underscored how her family’s support has been a huge factor in why she is the person she is now, as she wished for the same support for her fellow members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“My point is, my character, bravery [and] honesty might have gone south if it weren’t for them. So may I inspire each household, friend group and work environment to accept and respect a loved one who wishes to or is too scared to come out,” she said.
“At the end of the day, we should be on the side of happiness. We want to see the people we love glow. Let them be proud,” she concluded.
Issa came out to the public in 2018 through an advertisement for a toothpaste brand. She also made public at the time her relationship with her then-girlfriend.
Meanwhile, Issa is currently in a relationship with musician-actor James Reid. /ra