Amber Portwood came out as bisexual on Tuesday night’s episode of “Teen Mom OG.”
“People are probably going to be a bit shocked that I am bisexual, that I have had a relationship with a woman for eight months before,” she said.
Portwood, 31, said she was about 20 when she was in the relationship.
“I’m really scared right now,” she said of revealing her sexuality, adding that her ex Gary Shirley knew, but may not be supportive of her being open about it.
“I think he’s going to think it’s going to be bad for Leah,” Portwood said of her 12-year-old daughter. “He doesn’t even like the thought of going to therapy to help our relationship so this is just another embarrassment to them.”
When asked why she was choosing to come out now, Portwood explained that she wanted her children to know the truth. She also has a son, James, 3, whom she shares with ex Andrew Glennon.
“Leah and James are actually a really, really big factor,” she said. “I don’t want them to ever think it’s bad … Who am I to sit here and hide forever, which is what I was actually planning on doing anyways. I was going to go to the grave with this.”
Later on in the episode, Portwood called her mom, Tonya, to tell her the news, saying, “I’m shaking right now, honestly. I have been bisexual. I’m very attracted to men, but I’m also similarly very attracted to women as well.”
Portwood — who is writing a memoir that will expose some “real s–t” — admitted she was “ashamed” to admit her sexuality at the time because people weren’t as accepting a decade ago.
Portwood’s mom expressed nothing but support, saying, “Don’t be ashamed of it. I think [Leah] can handle it. I think she will be OK with you … You’re my baby regardless. I love you, baby.”
“Teen Mom OG” airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on MTV.