Amidst the celebration of Pride Month, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach called on her fellow allies for more means of expression for the LGBTQ+ community.
On Instagram last Thursday, June 25, she began her post regarding the above mentioned matter by telling her followers that learning is a "two-way process."
"This #PrideMonth, we stand for the rights and advocacies of the LGBTQIA+ community," the beauty queen wrote. "Being an ally is someone who gives a sense of a safe and affirming space for our loving community.”
"Let's provide higher platforms for community members to openly discuss issues and concerns that affect us. Here we can discuss our differences and remind ourselves that we are together on this journey, and achieve our shared goals for equality,” she went on.
She adds that people might differ in opinions when it comes to the matter, but "constant discourse" will make everything better as it will make people understand the community more.
"This will also enable our broader community, especially those with differing views, to ponder on things that matter to our fellowmen,” she said.
Pia, then, began to conclude her post by pressing that the LGBTQ+ community have rights to have their space in society, having voices heard, and validating trans women as women, adding that people can learn to do this via having dialogues.
"We can learn to accept these concepts by having a dialogue. By listening and understanding our differences... we will grow and uplift one another as one community in strengthening equality and diversity. Happy Pride,” she concluded.
Her post comes after an episode of her podcast with fellow beauty queens Carla Lizardo and Bianca Guidotti, wherein they had Miss International Queen 2012 Kevin Balot as their guest.
During the interview, Balot said trans women joining "traditional" beauty pageants was "asking too much" and said that it is no longer the equality they are asking for, citing that they have their own pageant.
However, she added that trans women can still join "if organizers allow" them but pressed that "we have to respect each other."
When podcast co-host Carla asked Kevin if she meant "elevating" Miss International Queen to the same level as Miss Universe, the latter answered: "It's the same, equal. Miss International Queen. Miss International [is] equal."
Pia agreed with Kevin's statement about the elevation of Miss International Queen to the statement of Miss Universe.
"Actually, isa 'yang angle na hindi ko naisip. Kasi ako sa pagkakaalam ko, Miss Universe allows. So, sa akin, if they allow, sino ba naman tayo para magreklamo pa. Eh yung may-ari nga pumapayag na," Pia said in the podcast.
The interview with Kevin drew flak from netizens who said it invalidates what she has been fighting for as an LGBTQ+ rights advocate.
Hours after the episode aired, Kevin apologized for the confusion and clarified her statement in a series of tweets.
Hello everyone! gusto ko lang po i-clear yung confusion. Hindi naman po sa naniniwala ako na hindi dapat sumali ang transgender women sa traditional pageants. What I meant was bilang isang representative ng Miss International Queen, gusto ko lang na ma recognize ang pageant na-
— The girl named Kevin. (@KevinBalot) June 23, 2020
ito as the most prestigious pageant for transwomen. I know na mali ako for saying na "too much" na or "hindi na equality" yun pero just know na hinding hindi po ayun ang paniniwala ko. I just used the wrong terms dahil hindi po ako ganun kagaling at expressing myself in english.
— The girl named Kevin. (@KevinBalot) June 23, 2020
Thank you for all your comments and bubulay bulayin ko po lahat yun para ma improve ang way of thinking ko. Please know na kaisa nyo ako sa pakikipaglaban para sa pagkakapantay pantay ng lahat. I'm really sorry for the confusion.
— The girl named Kevin. (@KevinBalot) June 23, 2020
Pia, along with her fellow co-hosts, reminded their listeners and followers to be respectful when engaging in dialogue.
Hi guys! 👋 As some of you might know Queentuhan is a podcast that I share w/ @BGuidotti22 & @carlajenina. Yesterday we had an eposide w/ Kevin Balot that sparked a lot of different reactions. We'd like to encourage everyone to be respectful when it comes to these conversations.. pic.twitter.com/jM4laaFKIY
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) June 24, 2020
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