Daily Times

Miss Universe would be organised in the Philippines this year and Ponce would be representing Spain. For the first time ever, a transgender woman will be competing in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant this year.

Angela Ponce took the stage and won her country’s qualifying rounds against 22 other contestants. Miss Universe would be organized in the Philippines this year and Ponce would be representing Spain. “Bringing the name and colors of Spain before the universe is my great dream. 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,” said Ponce.

Although truth be told, this is not the first time Ponce has fought her way in a beauty pageant. She won the Miss Universe Spain title in 2015.

Transgender contestants were no longer banned in the Miss Universe Organization in 2012. It happened when transgender model Jenna Talackova legally challenged the authorities.

However, celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred rode over the case since the organization at that time was owned by Donald Trump. She ambushed Trump along with the competition.

In response Trump addressed the matter and said, “we made the decision two days before we even heard that Allred was involved. Had I known she was involved, maybe I wouldn’t have made that decision because she’d so easy to beat.” He publicly called Allred a “third-rate” lawyer.

Hollywood’s sweetheart, Scarlett Johansson also has something to say on the subject. She thinks it is our persistent decision as a whole that resulted in accepting transgender and celebrating equality.

Published in Daily Times, July 7^th 2018.