Ángela
Maria Ponce Camacho, who is the reigning Miss Spain became the first
ever transgender woman to compete in Miss Universe pageant.After the
preliminary rounds on Sunday, the 27-year-old model said it was "an
honor and pride" to be part of the history of the pageant."This is for
you, for those who have no visibility, no voice, because we all deserve a
world of respect, inclusion and freedom," Ponce wrote on Instagram on
Friday. "And today I am here, proudly representing my nation, all women
and human rights."
The
record set by Angele comes after the Miss Universe organization was
heavily criticized in 2012 after disqualifying a transgender
woman, Jenna Talackova from the Miss Canada competition because she was
not "naturally born" a woman.
After
Talackova threatened legal action, the organization then owned by
Donald Trump changed the rules to allow transgender contestants in its
pageants."As long as she meets the standards of legal gender recognition
requirements of Canada, which we understand that she does, Jenna
Talackova is free to compete in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada pageant,"
Trump attorney Michael Cohen said at the time. "Nobody is capitulating .
. . Like all the other contestants, [Talackova] is wished the best of
luck by Mr. Trump."
Talackova
ultimately finished in the top 12 of the Miss Canada pageant and was
one of four contestants awarded "Miss Congeniality." But did not advance
to the Miss Universe pageant that year.
Speaking
on making history, Ponce, who is from Pilas in southern Spain, credited
her family for supporting her."They're my foundation so that my life
could unfold," Ponce told Today.com. "They saw to it that I did not have
a traumatic childhood. They are my strength."
The 2018 Miss Universe pageant was won by Miss Philippines, 24-year-old Catriona Gray.
