Miss Universe 2018: All Eyes on Spain's Transgender Contestant Ahead of Announcement

[brooklynite]

Carrying a bold message of inclusion, transgender rights and a sharp rebuke to US President Donald Trump, Miss Spain's Angela Ponce is blazing a trail as the first transgender contestant in Miss Universe's 66-year history.

The willowy beauty is making history since the pageant reversed a longstanding policy in 2012 that participants must be "naturally born" women.

Explaining her broad appeal the plain-speaking 27-year-old says "who hasn't suffered from prejudice? Who hasn't had to deal with bullying?"

Outside the walls of Miss Universe -- whose finals will be held early Monday in Thailand's capital Bangkok -- the transgender community continues to be marginalised and misunderstood, with high rates of suicide.

https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/miss-universe-2018-all-eyes-on-spains-transgender-contestant-ahead-of-announcement-1975167.html

I'm guessing Donald Trump would have had an issue with this...

[Buzz cook]

1. She certainly is lovely.

Not sure how I feel about beauty pageants in general. But good for them for being more inclusive.

[trev]

2. I find this remarkable.

She's gorgeous, a paean to the diversity of sexuality.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Trump would hit on her if no one told him she is transgender.

[maryellen99]

4. He wouldn't have allowed her to compete nt

The front runners are Puerto Rico and Philippines.

[Drahthaardogs]

5. Did she have to complete gender surgery reassignment?

Or does that matter in the rules?

[MineralMan]

6. Why would that matter?

They'll have their clothes on.

[Drahthaardogs]

7. Why do you respond to me?

I have nothing to say to you.

[MineralMan]

8. It's a public forum.

You post, and anyone can respond. I wondered why it mattered. I still wonder that.

[Drahthaardogs]

9. And I wonder why you think you can use slurs for italians

I still wonder that.

[MineralMan]

10. I think that contestant is from Spain,

not Italy. Are we talking about Italians in this thread?