TV Host, Blogger Mari Jasmine Empowers LGBTQIA+ Community

MANILA CITY, Philippines — Two days ago, Australian television host and blogger Mari Jasmine confirmed her relationship with film director Samantha Lee on an Instagram post. Her caption contains an empowering message about pride, love and equality. On her post, Jasmine told the LGBTQIA+ Community members who are ‘still questioning/figuring out’ themselves that they’re ‘wonderful, worthy and loved’.

What an inspiring #pride month we’ve just wrapped up! 25,000 people strong this year in Manila, celebrating as one. Pride is about celebrating love, equality, and owning your truth. So here’s mine: in the little time I’ve spent on this earth, I’ve had the privilege of being in love with both men and women. Filipinos are known to be some of the most loving people on earth. As a foreigner arriving in Manila over 5 years ago, I can attest to this – I’ve been accepted and treated with love and compassion from day one. I’ve been welcomed to family dinners, been nurtured, taken care of and was never made to feel like an outsider. My dream is for the same kind of love, compassion, and understanding to be shown to the LGBTQIA+ community. We still have a long way to go to reach acceptance and equality, especially here in the Philippines. My dream is to live in a world where I feel safe walking down the street holding my girlfriend’s hand. A world where I have the same fundamental human rights that I would be entitled to if I were in a straight, heteronormative relationship. To those who don’t have any friends or family in the LGBTQIA+ community, I implore you to reach out and start learning. We are often only afraid of the things we don’t know or understand. To reach equality, we need our allies to be as passionate and vocal about our rights as we are. To the LGBTQIA+ community and to those who are still questioning/figuring out who you are – you are wonderful, worthy and loved. Don’t let any person or any institution let you think otherwise. I stand by you and I will fight with you forever! 🌈🎉❤️

A post shared by Mari Jasmine (@mari_jasmn) on Jul 4, 2018 at 4:12am PDT

Samantha Lee, Baka Bukas director, likewise posted a photo of them happily waving the rainbow flag with the hashtag #Pride. Moreover, Lee expressed on another Instagram post that although the Pride Month is over, people should keep on educating themselves about the issues that surround the LQBTQIA+ Community.

#Pride

A post shared by Samantha Lee 🏳️‍🌈 (@givemesam) on Jul 4, 2018 at 8:27am PDT

Mari Jasmine Is More Than Just Sam Milby’s Ex

Apparently, Jasmine previously got involved in a relationship with Kapamilya actor-singer Sam Milby for almost two years which ended just last March. Last night, some news websites wrote an article about it. However, some article caught Jasmine and Lee’s attention and somehow corrected their headline.

There is some irrelevant information in this headline. I am a woman with my own story and identity who doesn’t need to be defined by past relationships. 🙅🏻‍♀️ https://t.co/VwZhDeX943

— Mari Jasmine (@mari_jasmn) July 5, 2018

Strong independent gal, Mari Jasmine opens up on relationship with “Baka Bukas” director Sam Lee. Fixed it for you. https://t.co/bxhOmoWeOB

— Samantha Lee (@givemesam) July 5, 2018

Aside from being a host and blogger, Jasmine is also a model and a travel, fashion and food blogger. She is definitely more than just Milby’s ex-girlfriend. How do you find Jasmine’s post? Let us know in the comments below.

Read more:

• Sam Milby Reveals Reason of Break Up With Mari Jasmine
• Angelica Panganiban’s Sweet Birthday Message To Sam Milby
• Yassi Pressman and Sam Milby Set To Have A Project Together

Words by Monique Pamintuan