Bailey Anne Kennedy made history as the first transgender woman to be crowned Miss Maryland USA, a victory she hopes will inspire young LGBTQ+ individuals.
In an interview with Washington, D.C. TV station WDCW on Wednesday, Kennedy reflected on her win.
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“It was a whirlwind because I knew it was bigger than me,” she noted.
“I knew that it was going to mean a lot for all the LGBTQ kids out there who might feel like they don’t belong in a box – like me growing up.”
Who is Bailey Anne Kennedy?
Kennedy‘s achievement is notable not only because she is the first transgender winner but also the first Asian American and the first military spouse to hold the Miss Maryland USA title. Of Cambodian American descent, Kennedy will compete for the Miss USA crown in Los Angeles, with the pageant set to air on August 4.
“[I hope my win] will open up some doors, open up some hearts for people to see that there are many aspects of LGBT community out there, and I hope I can be a positive contribution to society in making a difference like the USO program like I’m working with,” she added.
“I felt confident in my own skin at 31, which is past the old age limit, which is 28 – as you know, Miss Universe Organization lifted the restriction now – so every woman of all ages can compete.”
Kennedy follows in the footsteps of other trailblazing transgender pageant winners. Kataluna Enriquez, for example, was crowned Miss Nevada USA in 2021, and Angela Ponce from Spain competed in the Miss Universe pageant in 2018.