Bara dagar innan hon vann titeln Miss Utah gick hon ut på sin Instagram för att berätta att hon är bisexuell i ett uppmärksammat inlägg.

Annons
Annons

– Anledningen till att jag väntade så länge på att komma ut som hbtq-person var för att jag inte tycker att den jag väljer att älska borde definiera vem jag är. Livet är kort, och jag har mer frågor än svar. Men en sak är jag säker på och det är att vi kom hit för att älska, skriver hon.

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Being Queer is not a “platform.” The reason I waited so long to come out as a member of the LGBT+ community was that I didn’t think who I choose to love should define who I am. Life is short. And I have more questions then answers, but one thing I’m sure of is that we came here to love. And if the people I’ve loved means I am “queer” or “bi” or whatever they call it, then I am proud of that. Because I am never going to walk away from an opportunity to love when it’s rare light shines through in a world that is quick to judge and forget. I may be LGBTQ, but that’s just one detail on the list of things that make me Rachel. I hope by sharing this with you, you can believe that it’s okay to accept every way you love in this world. Your love is a gift here, and so are you. The world might not understand, but they don’t need to. Because I am my own why. Photo by @lalroseut 🦋 #iamwhy #missutusa #lgbtq #roadtomissusa

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Hon har också fått stor uppmärksamhet för att hon på ett ärligt och rakt sätt har berättat om sin psykiska ohälsa, och hur hon försökte ta sitt liv efter hon förlorade kronan i Miss Utah-tävlingen när hon var 19 år.

Slawson har blivit diagnostiserad med bipolär sjukdom vilket hon gärna pratar om i intervjuer för att bryta stigma kring psykiska diagnoser.

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Let’s just get straight to the point: The last time I tried to end my life I was 19 years old, and it was the night I lost Miss Utah USA. “Why wasn’t I enough?” This is my 7th pageant, my 5th time competing at Miss Utah USA, and tonight I finally experienced hands down the biggest dream of my life. After a few trips to the psych ward, being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (the reason I had such an extreme reaction to losing a pageant) and finally coming to terms with who I am as a queer woman. And the only difference between tonight, and the night I left broken hearted wishing I wasn’t alive, is that I knew I was enough before I arrived. I am so grateful for this crown. And I promise to do right by Utah and spend this year sharing my truth. But if I’m being honest with you, this crown is a new job, not an answer to the question I spent the last 9 years asking. “Why am I even here?” I am why. If you are in crisis, please text TALK to 741741, and remember you are always worthy of help, and you are worthy of your biggest dream. Your new Miss Utah USA 2020. 💗

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