Sofia Salomon: Angling to be the first trans Miss Venezuela

SOFIA Salomon is the picture of concentration as she poses in bathing suits and evening wear for a photo shoot in preparation for what could be an historic campaign.

The 25-year-old model is hoping to become the first-ever transgender woman to vie for the Miss Venezuela crown.

“All eyes are on Miss Venezuela,” she told AFP. “Me being there would be making history.”

Venezuela is one of the top producers of “Miss” pageant winners: It holds seven Miss Universe titles and six for Miss World.

Beauty competitions are a way of life in the crisis-stricken South American country, with a guaranteed TV viewership of millions for the national pageant.

“Like football is very important in other countries, here it is very important to be a beauty queen,” Salomon said between poses.

“When a girl is growing up, if she is tall, skinny, everyone tells her that she should go to Miss Venezuela. So it is something we grow up with, it is a culture, it is a feeling.”

Online entries for this year’s Miss Venezuela pageant close next Wednesday, after which a panel will interview a shortlist and select 24 finalists.

Organizers did not respond to AFP’s queries about whether or not there would be any limitations on Salomon’s participation in a deeply conservative and often homophobic society.

Salomon’s campaign has drawn much attention on social media – both messages of support and homophobic abuse.

But she takes it all in stride.

“Ever since I can remember, I have always had the support of my dad, my mom and all my family,” she told AFP.

“I had an excellent childhood full of respect, of love, and so everything becomes easier because you can show society who you really are.”