Big LGBTQ congrats are in order for Rachel Slawson, as the recent Miss Utah winner is now the first openly bisexual contestant to compete for the title of Miss USA in over 60 years!
The Park City native was crowned Miss Utah earlier this week, at the end of a competition that took place at the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City. She will now represent Utah while competing for the crown of Miss USA later this year — and the organization couldn’t be happier to welcome her!
Insiders told The Blast the org is “extremely proud” to have someone in their ranks who represents the LGBTQ+ community, and who is a strong advocate for mental health.
After being crowned as Miss Utah, Rachel got candid about her own mental health battles in a gut-wrenching Instagram post. In it, she explained she attempted suicide after losing the same competition years ago, before being hospitalized several times and ultimately being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.
Related: NFL Vet Comes Out As Bisexual
She wrote:
“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.”
Yas, Miss!!
By sharing her truth, Rachel plans on shedding more light on still-taboo subjects like sexuality and mental illness and hopefully making a difference in someone’s life.
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She continued:
“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.”
AH-Mazing! We’re sure many wonderful things are in store for this brave, bisexual beauty!
[Image via Instagram]
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