A PAGEANT FOR ALL WOMEN.

“This is for you, for those who have no visibility, no voice, because we deserve a world of
respect, inclusion, and freedom.”
“I don’t need to win Miss Universe, I only need to be here.” – Angela ponce, MISS SPAIN (The
first transgender contestant in the 66-year old, Miss Universe Pageant)

Ever since Angela Ponce won Miss Spain, it has become a subject to debate if Trans
women should be allowed to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. We have come a long way
from believing that there are only two genders to now studying an entire spectrum of diversity.
As the hands of time continues to wind the clock, change will inevitably occur. History will be on
my side when I say that gender has always been subject to dispute. It is no question that with
the rainbow of genders, misunderstanding may arise. Trans-women of today are experiencing
the same kind of torture women of the past experienced. This is the sole reason why we need
to give them all the platform that they need to fight for their advocacy and to raise awareness
about their very existence.
Some might say that allowing them to join in prestigious pageants like the Miss Universe
may be unfair, for they have surgical advantages and are not “naturally-born women”.
However, I think it is about time that we stop dividing them and start acknowledging the fact
that they are women. We keep labelling them as “trans” and “naturally”-born women, but if we
took off these unnecessary labels we are left with only one word, “women”. They are the same.
It is sad to think that some people are corrupting the image of the Trans community by
saying that they are mentally ill, dangerous, and/or are the real misogynists. I don’t think Trans
women wanted to join these beauty pageants to steal the limelight, all they wanted was
inclusivity. Furthermore, no one said that these beauty pageants are exclusive for cisgender
women. It’s for ALL WOMEN, which means that Trans women are eligible to be a part of it. The
pageant’s advocacies are “humanitarian issues and is a voice to affect positive change in the
world”. If so, then why are we depriving these people of a platform where they can promote
their own advocacies, especially if it’s for a good cause? Why can’t we grant them this privilege,
just like how we do with natural born women? Let us not deny the validity of their womanhood.
How could some people, women, call themselves feminists if they can’t respect and include
Trans women? Feminism is inclusive. I think the only reason why transgender people are being
criticized in these pageants is because of tradition and lack of acceptance. There are traditions
that are ought to be changed, some of them are not meant to live on forever because we live in
an ever-changing world; and If it’s for the betterment of our society, then I don’t think it would
hurt if we would bend them a bit.
 It will cost cisgender people literally nothing to acknowledge someone’s gender identity.
It doesn’t hurt you nor lessen your rights in any way. It does not even lessen your own identity
as male or female; and it certainly won’t kill you to be nice.