Transwomen continue to find their voice in modern society and pursue their dreams after stepping out of the shadows of repression, but how many have entered the Miss USA competition and have they ever won?
Transgender women have increasingly been able to participate in beauty pageants like Miss USA, reflecting broader societal changes in attitudes towards gender identity and inclusion in the modern era.
But there has been a backlash from right-wing conservatives who claim that their participation in such events is wrong as a result, they bid to have them banned from competing in prestigious competitions such as Miss USA and Miss Universe.
The debate was thrust to the front of headlines as Miss Maryland USA was won by Bailey Anne Kennedy, who became the first transgender woman and Asian-American to win the Maryland title in what she described as a victory for the LBGTQ+ community.
She will compete at the Miss USA event in August and will bid to become the first transgender winner, as well as the oldest winner, at the age of 31.
But she isn’t the first transgender woman to enter Miss USA or win a national title. That goes to Kataluna Enriquez who took victory at the 2021 Miss Nevada USA pageant on her way to becoming the first transwoman to compete at Miss USA.
Transwomen seem to be trying to drown out the noise as they step forwards defiantly with a series of breakthrough moments showing that their drive for their passions is greater than the wave of hate they receive.
And the trend is not localized to just the United States of America as Europe finds itself welcoming trans competitors with greater openness, acceptance and love when Portugal’s Marina Machete and The Netherlands’ Rikkie Valerie Kolle represented the continent at Miss Universe.
When is Miss USA 2024?
The Miss USA 2024 pageant will take place on Sunday, August 4 at the Peacock Theater in California in the 73rd edition of the famous competition, which will commence at 20:00 ET/17:00 PT.
The contest can be streamed online via Fubo and Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM and YouTube TV, whilst the CW Television Network holds the broadcasting rights for the United States.