Love knows no genders - Ate Glow on Angelina King

- Local media took note of businessman and car enthusiast Ian King’s transformation as Angelina Mead King earlier this month

- Former impersonator and stand-up comedian Ate Glow, who now goes by the name of Renee Hampshire, got married to her British boyfriend on the week of King’s revelation

- Hampshire commented that King’s story just proves love transcends gender

Two local transgender women have made headlines earlier this month -  one just got hitched while the other recently came out as one.

Ian King, a scion of the Victoria Court motels and car aficionado, is now known as Angelina Mead King. Angie, as she is liked to be called, took her two last names from her wife, model/host Joey Mead King.

In a recent interview with the Philippine Star, Angelina shared that she dressed up in female clothing during his early years, which has triggered her desire to become a woman. Prior to making her Instagram account public (@hailtothe_queen_), she dressed up in women’s clothing privately until she could not hold it off any longer, and had to reveal her true self.

READ ALSO: LOOK: Joey Mead’s husband is now a trans woman

Also on the same week as Angie’s first appearance, former comedienne and impersonator Ate Glow got married to her British boyfriend in the capital of his country. Formerly known as Rene Boy Facunla, Ate Glow is now a trans-woman who now goes by the name of Renee Hampshire.

Despite not knowing each other personally, Renee commented on King’s story that ‘love knows no gender’.

“Hindi naiintindihan ng ibang mga tao na 'yung situation ni Ian (Angelina) eh mahirap. Coming out is a personal battle," she added.

(Other people would not understand Ian (Angelina)’s situation because it’s not easy. Coming out is a personal battle.)

READ ALSO: #Loveislove: Comedian Ate Glow ties the knot with British bf

She shared that there were others who were not able to reveal their true selves even until death. For her, King must have gone through a lot before she decided to let everyone know who she truly is.

“Iba ang sitwasyon ng mga transgender women. It’s a long road to finding one’s self.”

(The situation of transgender women are different. It’s a long road to finding one’s self.)

READ ALSO: Joey and Angelina Mead King, seen kissing in a video

Renee, whose last showbiz appearance was over four years ago, shared that she did not immediately identify herself as a transgender woman. In the Philippines, one can only assume of four genders: girl, boy, bakla (gay), or tomboy. But over time, she got exposed to ‘terms and labels’, which had led her to identify herself a straight transgender woman.

“I am a straight transgender woman kasi my partner is a guy and he sees me as a woman.”

(I am a straight transgender woman because my partner is a guy and he sees me as a woman.)

READ ALSO: #Loveislove: Celebs support Angelina Mead King

However, she does not think lightly of King’s situation, and clarified that despite transitioning to being a female, it is not wrong if one maintains her preference for liking females.

"She had to 'correct' herself so she can identify herself as a woman... Kahit woman na 'yung transgender, pwede siyang maging lesbian."

(She had to ‘correct’ herself so she can identify herself as a woman… even if the transgender has transformed into a woman, she could still be a lesbian.)

READ ALSO: Watch how Ricky Davao reacted when her daughter came out as lesbian!

Many are still confused about the terms and labels of being gay, which can be like an umbrella that charts into different branches and sub-terms.

What is important, however, is that love goes beyond one’s physical appearance and sexuality.

“Kaya nga sabi, ‘pag nagmahal ka, e, nagmahal ka. Walang kasarian ‘yun. Minamahal mo ‘yung isang tao hindi dahil sa kanyang kasarian, kundi sa kanyang pagkatao.”

(That’s why they say that if you love, you indeed love. It does not have any gender. You love a person not because of the person’s gender, but because of the person’s personality.)-Kami Media

READ ALSO: Transgenderism 101: Is Angelina King gay or lesbian?

Source: KAMI.com.gh