First Transgender Miss Universe Finalist
Angela Ponce Becomes the First Transgender Miss Universe Finalist
Angela Ponce just made history by winning Miss Universe Spain and becoming the first transgender Miss Universe finalist. The 26-year-old competed against 22 other contestants for the crown and will now compete in the world pageant in the Philippines later this year.
Ponce wrote on Instagram about her hopes for her new title. "My goal is to be a spokesperson for a message of inclusion, respect, and diversity not only for the LGBTQ+ community, but also for the entire world."
According to CNN, the Miss Universe competition didn't allow transgender contestants until 2012, when Jenna Talackova was told she would be disqualified because she wasn't born female. After legal threats from women's rights lawyer Gloria Allred were made on behalf of Talackova, Miss Universe lifted the ban on transgender contestants.
Donald Trump, who is no longer associated with the beauty pageant, claimed he was planning to lift the ban before the legal threats.
