Transgender women have been making history in the world of beauty pageants in recent years, breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes.
Now there will be at least two competing in the 2023 Miss Universe contest to held in El Salvador this November.
Marina Machete became the first transgender woman to win Miss Portugal last week, making her one of two trans contestants so far to compete for Miss Universe later this year.
Machete, a 28-year-old flight attendant, thanked her supporters for the “positive and empowering” messages she has received since being crowned Thursday.
“To all of you watching, I just want to say that, just like the universe, your possibilities in life are limitless,” she said in a video shared on Instagram over the weekend. “So don’t limit yourself to any dream that you have.”
The other contestant, Rikkie Valerie Kolle, 22, became the first trans woman to be crowned Miss Netherlands in July. She has faced considerable animosity on social media.
Dealing with the hate speech directed at her, she wrote, “Yes I’m trans and I want to share my story but I’m also Rikkie and that’s what matters to me,” she wrote in an Instagram post at the time. “I did this on my own strength and enjoyed every moment.”
“I thought we were really accepting … in the Netherlands, but the hate comments show the other side of our society. I hope that’s a wake-up call,” she told Reuters at the time. “For now, I fully ignore it. I focus on the good things coming my way.”
In 2021, Kataluna Enriquez became the first trans woman to compete in the Miss USA pageant after she was crowned Miss Nevada, though she did not go on to compete in that year’s Miss Universe pageant. In February, Daniela Arroyo González became the first trans woman to compete in Miss Universe Puerto Rico, where she finished within the top 10 finalists, according to her Instagram.
According to some sources, one of the first trans women to participate in a major beauty contest was Jenna Talackova, who competed for Miss Universe Canada in 2012 and won the title of Miss Congeniality. Since then, more and more trans women have been selected to represent their countries or regions in prestigious competitions such as Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Germany, Miss International Queen, and Miss Tiffany Universe.
These trans women have not only showcased their beauty, intelligence, and talent, but also used their platforms to advocate for equality, diversity, and respect for the LGBTQ+ community. They have also challenged the conventional notions of beauty and gender and become role models for other trans people.
