After publicly identifying as queer on Instagram in early June for Pride Month, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s daughter, Michaela Cuomo, spoke more about her sexual orientation and identity while explaining how her perspective has changed over time.
“As long as we are growing, we are evolving,” she explained on an Instagram Live with the speaker, author, and activist Donato Tramuto earlier this month.
“When I was in elementary school, I was afraid of being a lesbian. When I was in high school, I told my family and close friends that I was bisexual. When I was in high school, I discovered pansexuality, and I thought, ‘That’s the flag for me‘”.
“And I recently learned more about demisexuality and have believed that identity resonates more with me.”
A demisexual person is described as someone who only experiences sexual attraction with another person after forming a strong emotional connection with them. Demisexuals can be of any orientation, including gay, straight, bisexual, or pansexual.
“I posted [the IG Post] largely in honor of the people who have come before me … I got some of the homophobic comments that I was expecting, but I was shocked by the overwhelming number of people who texted me to say that my post helped them accept themselves and even talked to their loved ones,” Michaela explained to Tramuto. “I thought that since it’s hard but brave, trendy, or cool not to be straight in my liberal bubble, some of the feedback I’d get would be that I’m seeking attention.”
Michaela added that all the positive messages she received “made it worthwhile.”
As the conversation turned to the NFL star Carl Nassib, who came out as gay and hoped that, one day, coming out is “no longer necessary,” Michaela agreed with the sentiment.
“I’ve definitely always dreamed of a world where no one has to come out of the closet because everyone’s sexuality will be assumed to be fluid, and it’s none of our business,” Michaela said. “But in a world that force-feeds cisgender heterosexuality, coming out is a lifelong process of unpacking internalized social constructs and stigmas.”
In a statement, Gov. Cuomo reportedly told PEOPLE: “I love, support, and couldn’t have more pride in Michaela.”
