In the social media post Taylor Lianne Chandler, 41, has revealed she was born David Roy Fitch and was born with male and female genitalia.
The revelation comes after Phelps, 29, went into rehab following a drink driving incident on September 30.
Chandler, who says she was with Phelps when he was allegedly arrested with a DUI, says she is coming forward with “the truth” following media speculation about her private life.
“I was so freaked out about my relationship with Michael Phelps being exposed,” wrote Chandler in the Facebook post.
Adding, “I am telling my story to take the power away from the media and tabloids that want to hurt Michael and I.”
Chandler clarifies that at birth she was a “man” in name only.
“I was never a man, never lived as a man,” she wrote.
“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.”
Chandler, who describes herself as a “former model”, says she began taking testosterone blockers as a teenager and had corrective surgery in her early twenties to get rid of her male genitalia.
While Phelps has never publicly acknowledged a relationship with Chandler says the pair formed a connection over Tinder.
“Spending time with him was like a teenage love affair,” she says.
“I have never felt so comfortable and accepted in every way as I did with him.”
On her Facebook post the 41-year-old admits to having dated and marrying men in the past that had no idea she was born intersex.
Chandler’s Facebook looks to be a shrine to the swimmer with photos, updates and screen shots of text messages appearing on the page.
Taylor Lianne Chandler’s Facebook page. PHOTO: Facebook.
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Taylor Lianne Chandler’s Facebook page. PHOTO: Facebook.
Taylor Lianne Chandler’s Facebook page. PHOTO: Facebook.
In the ‘About’ section on her page, which has less than 3000 followers, Chandler writes, “Taylor Lianne Chandler’s life changed on September 30 when her relationship with Michael Phelps, was made public.” She then lists the number of a publicist.
In the lengthy post the former stunt woman worried that the DUI drama may ruin connection she has forged with Phelps.
“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,” she wrote.
Apart from the unexpected revelation Taylor also touched on her past struggles with her gender.
“At 19 I thought it would be smart to blackmail someone into giving me the money for my surgery,” she wrote.
“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 driver’s license said female they put me in a cell with 3 men and I was raped.”
Chandler says her past has forced her to crusade for gender rights.
According to Chandler Phelps is out of rehab but has not commented publicly on the revelation.
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