The youngest daughter of Kerry Kennedy and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Michaela Kennedy Cuomo, has come out as demisexual.
The 23-year-old recently added more insight to her sexual orientation during a conversation on Instagram Live with activist and author Donato Tramuto.
In their conversation, Michaela explained that she identifies mostly as demisexual, which PFLAG describes as individuals who only feel sexually attracted to someone when they have an emotional bond with the person.
A demisexual person can be gay, straight, bisexual, or pansexual, and can have any gender identity.
“When I was in elementary school, I feared that I was lesbian. When I was in middle school, I came out to my family and close friends as bisexual. When I was in high school, I discovered pansexuality and thought, ‘That’s the flag for me,'” Michaela recalled.
“I’ve recently learned more about demisexuality and have believed that that identity resonates with me most,” she continued.
Michaela added that she’s always evolving, despite being hesitant about speaking out due to those who assumed she was “seeking attention.”
Tramuto says he was proud of how Michaela utilized her social media to inspire others.
“I’ve definitely always dreamed of a world in which nobody will have to come out, because everybody’s sexuality will be assumed fluid and none of our business,” Michaela said.
“But in a world that force-feeds cisgender heterosexuality, coming out of the closet is a lifelong process of unpacking internalized social constructions and stigmas.”
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During Pride Month, Michaela initially came out as queer in an Instagram post, urging allies of the LGBTQ+ community to display their support “by speaking up against homophobia and by actively reaching out to the members of your community [whose] sexual expression may be isolating.”
“Today, I stand in my queer identity with pride, and in memory of those who came before me,” she captioned the post.
“I stand indebted to the activists who fought for my right to love and happiness,” Michaela continued. “I stand with a helping hand outreached to those finding their way from under socially constructed boxes to emerge from the closet. I’m standing with you.”
Gov. Cuomo told PEOPLE in a statement at the time: “I love, support and couldn’t have more pride in Michaela.”
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