Spanish Model Creates History, Becomes the First Trans Woman to Compete in Miss Universe
Her win grants Ponce a place to compete in the worldwide Miss Universe contest set to be held in Philippines in December 2018.
Source: Instagram
A transgender model has created history by winning the coveted title of Miss Spain 2018 and that's not all, she's all set to represent her country at Miss Universe 2018, which will be held in Philippines.
She will now advance to compete in the worldwide Miss Universe pageant which will take place in the Philippines in December.
“Bringing the name and colors of Spain before the universe is my great dream,” Ponce, who lives in Seville, Spain, posted on Instagram after her win. “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.”
Transgender women were barred from competing in Miss Universe up until five years ago.
In 2012, Canada’s Jenna Talackova was barred from competing because she was transgender, but with the help of women’s rights lawyer Gloria Allred, she legally challenged the rule and got it overturned.
Ms Talackova later made it to the top 12, and was one of the four contestants to be named Miss Congeniality. Ms Ponce competed on the Miss World Spain stage in 2015 after completing her transition in 2014 but lost to Miss Barcelona Mireia Lalaguna. “Society is not educated for diversity, it’s what made me go public, I mean, here I am and I’m not weird,” Ponce told Spanish newspaper 20 Minutos at the time, according to Newsweek. “I just have a different story, a woman who came to life differently but I’m a woman.”
She will now advance to compete in the worldwide Miss Universe pageant which will take place in the Philippines in December.
“Bringing the name and colors of Spain before the universe is my great dream,” Ponce, who lives in Seville, Spain, posted on Instagram after her win. “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.”
Transgender women were barred from competing in Miss Universe up until five years ago.
In 2012, Canada’s Jenna Talackova was barred from competing because she was transgender, but with the help of women’s rights lawyer Gloria Allred, she legally challenged the rule and got it overturned.
Ms Talackova later made it to the top 12, and was one of the four contestants to be named Miss Congeniality. Ms Ponce competed on the Miss World Spain stage in 2015 after completing her transition in 2014 but lost to Miss Barcelona Mireia Lalaguna. “Society is not educated for diversity, it’s what made me go public, I mean, here I am and I’m not weird,” Ponce told Spanish newspaper 20 Minutos at the time, according to Newsweek. “I just have a different story, a woman who came to life differently but I’m a woman.”