CROWNING INCLUSIVITY
It’s been one month since Angela Ponce became the first transgender woman to be crowned Miss Universe Spain, and will also be the first trans to enter the final Miss Universe competition at the end of this year. The Miss Universe pageant made a policy change to allow transgender women to compete five years ago.
Her news of victory was met with both glee and dismay from worldwide audiences, bringing about the discussion of whether transgender and cisgender people should be allowed to compete in the same comp, vying for the same title once again.
In Thailand, we previously had a similar discussion when the model-seeking TV show The Face Thailand allowed transgender women to compete in the previously all-female show during its third season in 2016. Internationally, shows from the “Top Model” franchise preceded us in opening doors to transgender contestants. Olympics also allow transgender athletes. Of course, the topic of transgender people in sports may require another debate altogether, especially regarding what many perceive as the unfair advantage in their physicality.
Is it equality? Is it unfair competition? Discussing it in the context of a beauty contest, however, why should that be a problem when all women are different and unique in their own ways? Adding transgender women may add to the diversity and inclusivity of the pageant. Being allowed to participate signifies an acceptance that they’re entitled to the same treatment and rights as any women — that they are accepted as women, too.
Still, the chance to qualify for the Miss Universe pageant seems to depend on the laws of each country. In Spain, transgender persons are allowed to change their legal gender, which then allowed Ponce to be accepted into the pageant. Miss Universe Thailand, on the other hand, explicitly states on its website that applicants have to be “female by birth” as one requirement to enter the contest. Countries that have yet to have gender recognition laws will have to wait a little longer if they want to see transgender beauty queens strutting on the Universe stage.