Michael Phelps' 'Girlfriend' Taylor Lianne Chandler Born A Man [PHOTOS]: 'Intersex' Facebook Shocker Amid Olympic Swimmer's DUI Arrest & Rehab, Relationship Even Real?
Beloved Olympic gold swimmer Michael Phelps was arrested in Baltimore back in September for a DUI. Just a few days later he entered rehab to deal with his alcohol abuse, and the 29-year-old athlete's "self-proclaimed" girlfriend Taylor Lianne Chandler has remained by his side through thick and thin.
In fact, the 41-year-old beauty's Facebook page is dedicated to the couple's "growing love." But earlier this month (November 13), Chandler made a rather shocking confession of her own. She was originally born a man, and refers to herself as "intersex." Check out the lengthy, emotional revelation here:
Many of you have wondered why I was so freaked out about my relationship with Michael Phelps being exposed. Most of you were very complimentary to me how I was described in some of the first articles. A lot of you had problems with the photos of me that came out. Here is the truth. I knew that if him and I were photographed or seen together the media would want to know who I am. That is why I kept it so guarded. To him I said it was because I grew up with a famous father. The truth is I have been living with secrets my whole life. I was born intersex and named David Roy Fitch at birth. By the time I could walk and talk I made it clear I was a girl and dressed as one. In my early teens I was medically diagnosed and went on testosterone blockers, at 15 estrogen enhancers. My birth certificate was modified along with my name while I was a teenager, prior to any corrective surgery. I originally changed my name to Paige Victoria Whitney. At 16 I legally emancipated from my family. I had already left home at 15. At 18 I got in trouble twice, once for a bad check and then a DUI. At 19 I thought it would be smart to blackmail someone into giving me the money for my surgery. As soon as I received the money I was arrested and charged with extortion. I spent 30 days in jail because I was too ashamed to tell my family what happened thinking no one knew. Even though my birth certificate and drivers license said female they put me in a cell with 3 men and I was raped. I sued the state of Maine and got them to provide training for staff to deal with people on different spectrums of gender. They even created new facilities for housing someone with special needs. I plead and got probation for two years. I went on the talk show and tabloid TV circuit pleading my case for gender rights. After a brutal rape and a horrible trial in 1993 I went away to get my surgery and changed my name to Taylor Lianne Whitney to escape back into anonymity and have a normal life. For the last 20 plus years that is exactly what I have done. The problem is I have made friends that I never told and dated and married people that knew nothing of my past. If you don’t understand what intersex is, Google it. I was never a man, never lived as a man. No one can say they knew me as a man or produce a photo of me as a man. There are people that remember me as an androgynous child at times because of what was forced upon me. I have dated many celebrities before, none of which knew my past. Michael Phelps and I met on Tinder and clicked. Spending time with him was like a teenage love affair. I have never felt so comfortable and accepted in every way as I did with him. I didn’t tell him about my past until threat of the media exposing me forced me too. Yes, I was with Michael the night of the DUI, the story of the Uber and crying and me wanting to stay with him that night are true. A lot of the other things printed are lies. I am probably going to lose him because he is a brand that his team wants to protect and things since he went to rehab came to my attention that didn’t put him or our relationship in the best light. He is the first man I ever had intimacy with and felt comfortable and all woman. When he went to rehab I had to go through all this scrutiny and tabloid mess by myself. His team at Octagon abandoned me, whether he knows that or not I do not know. Other then telling people I couldn’t have kids I never felt obligated to disclose any part of my past. The only reason this is news is because I was with Michael Phelps. I am Taylor Lianne Chandler; I have always been a female regardless of labels and personal opinions. I am not a transsexual and I have never identified with the moniker transgender, but intersex is certainly on the spectrum of gender along with them. I am telling my story to take the power away from the media and tabloids that want to hurt Michael and I. I will probably lose him, which hurts like hell. I might lose some of you as friends and I will have to accept that. To the men in my past, what you saw, whom you loved, is who I am regardless of labels that the media tries to throw on my back. I am sorry for not trusting and loving you enough to tell you upfront myself at the time.
Several fans came out in full support, although some haters did attempt to harass and defame Chandler. But she continues posting powerful updates on social media in order to educate about "intersex."
And on November 18, Chandler announced that Phelps was finally leaving rehab:
Heard from Michael he is out of rehab and back home... My 6'4 Body Heater is coming home. I've missed feeling your arms around me!
Most recently she posted:
Two steps forward and 100 steps backwards. That is what life feels like to me right now. In a world of educated people that had all the facts of intersex and what it means and then to sell a magazine say Michael Phelps is dating a MAN. I have cried now for an hour, thrown up anything in my system till I dry heaved. I just can't believe this is happening in 2014!
Apparently, Chandler met Phelps during a Baltimore Ravens game and they "made love" during half time (via Daily Mail). Sounds a bit shady, right?
It remains unconfirmed if Chandler's even involved in a romantic relationship with Phelps, she could just be a crazed fan!
Stay tuned...