Miss Universe Competition Plays Tribute Video to First Trans Contestant
The Miss Universe competition played a special tribute video to the first trans contestant to take part during the Sunday finals, reports E! News.
Angela Ponce from Spain was the first transgender woman to compete, six years after the competition changed the rules to allow for trans contestants. While Ponce did not make it to the finals she was praised by host and model Ashley Graham as having “everything you’d expect from the reigning Miss Universe.”
“She’s smart. Driven. Beautiful. But her path has been anything but ordinary. And nothing short of extraordinary.”
Ponce won Miss Spain in June and was competing against 93 other women for the title of Miss Universe.
She used her platform to advocate for trans issues, “I always say: having a vagina didn’t transform me into a woman,” she said.
“I am a woman, already before birth, because my identity is here.
“Outsiders say what I can and cannot do, what I am and what I am not. No, I’m sorry. To be a woman is your identity.
“It doesn’t matter if you are white, black, if you have a vagina… if you have a penis.”
“You can empower yourself like I have and turn something negative into your biggest strength.
“Children are born without prejudices and I think that if we talk to them about diversity from a young age… we can create a new generation of human beings who are raised a lot better, more tolerant and respectful.
“I don’t need to win Miss Universe. I only need to be here.”
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