YouTube star Gigi Gorgeous says that she's been released after reportedly being detained at the Dubai airport for several hours on Tuesday for being a transgender woman.
The internet celebrity, who gained fame for candidly documenting her transition on social media, addressed the frightening incident on Instagram alongside a photo of her friend, Nats Getty, hugging her in the airport.
"After being detained and held at the Dubai airport for over 5 hours, this was the moment my baby came to rescue me," Gigi captioned the snapshot. "Yesterday was one of the scariest moments of my entire life and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. How you can be denied entry somewhere just because of who you are is seriously disgusting and also very scary."
"This further proves the need for CHANGE," she continued. "I am now on my way to somewhere much more accepting. Safe and sound and happy. I love you guys."
Gigi recounted the troubling incident to TMZ on Tuesday, claiming that the immigration officer in Dubai said, "I was told you are transgender. You cannot come into the country."
While Gigi was born Gregory Lazzarto, she officially changed her name to Gigi Loren in 2014, and says that is the name that appears in her updated passport. Gigi also says her passport describes her as female.
According to TMZ, airport police claim her passport and passport photo depict her as male, and that "imitation of women by men" is illegal in Dubai.
