“I came to a full realisation about my sexual orientation over a long period of time. I knew I was ‘one of them’ way back in 2015,” she said during an interview shared on pageant forum Missosology.

“It is personally quite challenging but I feel that I have a greater voice and the best position to promote this cause. Some pageant fans know about it and they still support me but this is the first time I am able to talk about it in public.”

After winning the Miss Universe Myanmar 2019 pageant back in May, Htet competed in the Miss Universe pageant on 8 December. She failed to make the top 20, but gained attention for being the first openly gay contestant.

Now, Htet said she wants to use her voice to promote acceptance and equal rights in Myanmar.

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Photos: Facebook / Swe Zin Htet- Miss Universe Myanmar 2019