Miss Trans Global
FormationMay 1, 2020 (2020-05-01)
FounderMiss Sahhara, (since 2020)
(Executive Producer/
President)
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersLondon, England
Location
Official language
English
AffiliationsTransValid, TransBeauty Magazine
WebsiteMissTransGlobal.com

Miss Trans Global is an annual international pageant for transgender women.[1][2][3][4] According to itself, it is the biggest international advocacy pageant for transgender women. The event broadcasts live on multiple social networking websites from London, England. It has gained traction for transgender advocacy, raising awareness about queer culture and LGBT concerns, particularly in countries where transphobia and homophobia are prevalent.[5][6][7][8][9] The pageant presents itself as a safe space for transgender women to share their lived experiences through speeches, talent shows, and art.[10][11][12]

Mela Habijan of the Philippines won the first edition of Miss Trans Global in an event held virtually on September 12, 2020.[13][14][15][16][17][18] Sruthy Sithara of India won the second edition where she was the first Indian transgender woman to win an international transgender pageant.[19] The current winner is Natasha Cardoso of Brazil, winning the title on the 31st of November, 2022, in a digital event.[20][21]

History

The pageant was founded by Miss Sahhara, a transgender activist, and beauty queen who was behind Queen of Nations, another pageant for transgender women which has been held in the United Kingdom for the past 13 years.[22] According to Sahhara, she and her team thought of holding the 10th edition of Queen of Nations in 2017 online. Instead, they decided to launch a new title which is mainly geared towards transgender advocacy, education, and trans-empowerment through multiple digital platforms. They aimed to create an inclusive and accessible space for all transgender women from diverse backgrounds to express themselves on an international stage without leaving their homes or country.[23][24]

According to Miss Sahhara, "Miss Trans Global was conceived in 2017 but realized during isolation in 2020. Our communities around the world are often either stuck at home with transphobic family members or homeless due to family rejection. Many of us are misunderstood at home and marginalized in society. Also, we have limited earning opportunities. So, we decided to help address some of these issues by engaging our online global community through the Miss Trans Global Digital Pageant".

The organizing team includes Sally Adams, a media and entertainment lawyer, Rica Paras, an information technology professional, and Imanni Da Silva, a model, artist, television presenter, and social activist.

The exclusion of transgender contestants in pageantry

In 2019, transgender pageant winner Anita Green[25][26] filed a suit against Miss United States LLC on the grounds of gender identity discrimination. Green entered a franchise of Miss United States after participating in Miss Earth United States,[27] but was refused entry because of the competition rule which states that only a 'natural born female' is allowed to participate.[28][29] A federal court dismissed Green's discrimination case against the pageant.[30]

The court filing submitted by Miss United States constantly misgendered Green and used derogatory words to invalidate the complainant's gender identity.[31][32] Miss United States also says that allowing transgender women to compete in their competition would "undermine its vision" and would undermine their "message of biological female empowerment."[29] John T. Kaempf, the Miss United States pageant's lawyer praised the dismissal of Green's lawsuit, stating that the pageant "is not anti-transgender." "Miss United States wants to be able to hold a pageant that is only for biological females,". He stated that the organisation "believes there can be a Miss Black USA pageant, a Miss Native American pageant, or a transgender pageant."[33]

In an interview with KGW, Green said, "I compete in pageantry to show that there are many different types of beauty... To me, that rule was saying that transgender women aren't women, and that sends a very harmful message."[34][35]

Unperturbed by the news of the dismissal of her case, Green said “she is not giving up on her fight for justice for transgender women, and she is very proud of her achievement in raising awareness about the discrimination transgender women face in pageantry”. "This case brought awareness to an issue many people were and still are unaware of," Green told Oregon Live, "and that issue is that discrimination against transgender people is still actively happening in the private and public sector even within the pageant circuit."[36][37]

The exclusion of transgender women from female only spaces

Some transgender activists have affirmed that the exclusion of transgender women from female-only spaces such as sports, pageants, and bathrooms has necessitated the creation of dedicated spaces for transgender people.[38][39] Others argue that it may foster segregation.

Sociologist and feminist campaigner Finn Mackay stated in an interview with The Guardian, that reducing womanhood to fertility and genitals trivialises the damage done by patriarchy influenced by politics when it comes to sexuality and gender. "They do it for ideological reasons, as part of a campaign for trans exclusion. When people turn round and say: 'This is a dog whistle' – of course it is! Otherwise, why would you be chatting about people's genitals?" Mackay asked.[40]

Recent success

Miss USA, a franchise of Miss Universe, started allowing transgender women in their pageant in 2012. The pageant's first transgender state representative was Kataluna Enriquez, winner of Miss Nevada USA. Enriquez served as a judge in the first edition of Miss Trans Global.[41][42][43]

Goal

The main premise of Miss Trans Global is to "revolutionize pageantry" by including transgender women in mainstream beauty pageantry, and to raise awareness for trans issues. Many of the contestants are also transgender rights activists.[44][45][46] Their advocacies are heavily influenced by transphobic violence, including domestic violence, discrimination, and the murders of transgender women globally. An associate of the Miss Trans Global's team, Yunieski Carey Herrera, was murdered by her partner on November 17, 2020, in Miami, Florida.[47][48][49][50][51] She was crowned Miss Trans Global in 2019.

Advocacy

According to the organisation, the top 5 winners of Miss Trans Global work as spokespersons on transgender and LGBT issues worldwide. They claim to work closely with activist organisations such as TransValid, TransBeauty Magazine,[52][53] TransGriot,[54] to educate cisgender people and inspire transgender people globally. The organisation started an initiative called 'For Trans Women by Trans Women', where a group of transgender women from different countries come together to raise awareness about issues that affect their local communities.[55][23][56]

The organizers said that Miss Trans Global "is not about a beautiful face and perfect body" but rather "about activism, charity, and intelligence".[57]

The pageant says the winners will serve as spokespeople "and work digitally to influence positive changes in our community internationally."[58]

The pageant considers itself as a digital and physical space for transgender women from different backgrounds who are driven through activism to highlight the plight of LGBT people in their various countries. The participants share their lived experiences through the use of digital content production and publishing through the guidance of the organisation.[59][60][61][62][63]

Competition and selection of winners

The Empowered Queen Crown, is the official Miss Trans Global crown since 2020–present

The organizers of the competition described it as "the future of international trans pageantry", because of its accessibility and ease of participation. The contestants execute the various tasks at home and submit videos to the judges. The winners are selected based on the scores given by the judges.[54]

Competition format

Contestants are given a creative challenge once a week. They film and produce a submission video in accordance with the rules and guidelines stipulated by the pageant directors. The judges then review their performances and score the contestants accordingly.

Judging

The judges are seasoned female transgender activists and pageant queens who have fought for transgender rights in their various countries.[54][64]

Awards

Miss Trans Global and its runner-up awards are the adaption of the female British nobility titles, namely:[54]

  • Queen Global, Miss Trans Global — Winner[23]
  • Duchess Global — First runner-up[23]
  • Marchioness Global — Second runner-up[23]
  • Countess Global — Third runner-up[23]
  • Baroness Global — Fourth runner-up[23]

The organisation's definition of a queen is a transgender woman who uses their voice for the voiceless and someone who marries the ambition of helping marginalised transgender community that are often discriminated against due to misconceptions.[23][59]

The inaugural event

The inaugural competition, which took place on September 12, 2020, focused on transgender people suffering in isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It included participants from countries around the world. Miss Mela Franco Habijan from the Philippines became the first ever winner of the competition, in a coronation ceremony streamed live on YouTube and Facebook.[23]

The pageant's inaugural judges were:

  • Monica Roberts, a notable transgender rights advocate and journalist in the United States who died on October 5, 2020[65]
  • Candi Stratton, a flight attendant, beauty queen, and transgender rights advocate
  • Michelle Ross, founder-director of CliniQ Counselling and Wellbeing
  • Kataluna Enriquez, Miss Nevada USA and fashion designer[66]
  • Victoria Maxima Caram, Miss Trans Star International executive director
  • Amanda Uzoma McQueens, founder of Friends in Diaspora for Friends in Africa[64][24][23]

Titleholders

Edition Country Titleholder National Title Venue of Competition Number of Entrants
2023  Thailand Sarocha Akaros[67] Miss Perfect Thailand Rhoda McGaw Theatre 10
2022  Brazil Natasha Cardoso Miss Trans Global Brasil Virtual event 7
2021  India Sruthy Sithara Miss Trans Global India Virtual event 16
2020  Philippines Mela Franco Habijan Miss Trans Global Philippines Virtual event 18

List of Runners-up

Edition Duchess Global Marchioness Global Countess Global Baroness Global Runners-Up
First Princess Global Second Princess Global
2021 Albiean Revalde
 Philippines		 Viviana Santibanez
 Canada		 Fazelyn Ja'afar
 Malaysia		 Karla Michelle-Delprado
 Mauritius		 Amanda Sandova
 Indonesia		 Lesly Quispe
 Peru
2020 Rebeckah Loveday
 Australia		 Veso Golden
 Spain		 Semakaleng Mothapo
 South Africa		 Danielly Drugge
 Sweden		 Not awarded until 2021

See also

References

  1. ↑ Guno, Niña V. (September 13, 2020). "Mela Habijan crowned first Miss Trans Global: 'A childhood dream that came true'". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  2. ↑ Garcia, Cara Emmeline. "Mela Habijan hailed as Miss Trans Global 2020". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  3. ↑ Driscoll, About the Author Beau (July 12, 2020). "From Country Gal To Next Miss Trans Global?". Star Observer. Retrieved October 5, 2021. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  4. ↑ CoconutsManila (May 27, 2021). "Beauty pageant for trans women wants to bust all barriers". Coconuts. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  5. ↑ "First ever trans pageant competition launches in Nigeria". GCN. January 15, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  6. ↑ Isaack, Wendy (October 20, 2016). ""Tell Me Where I Can Be Safe": The Impact of Nigeria's Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act". Human Rights Watch.
  7. ↑ "Queer Nigerian Twitter can challenge homophobia and assert sexual agency". Africa at LSE. October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Nigerian judge throws out homosexuality case against 47 men". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  9. ↑ Akuson, Richard (April 17, 2019). "Nigeria is a cold-blooded country for gay men -- I have the scars to prove it". CNN. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Miss Philippines Mela Habijan Wins the First Miss Trans Global Pageant". When In Manila. September 13, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Beauty pageant for trans women wants to bust all barriers". au.sports.yahoo.com. May 27, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  12. ↑ "She is beauty, she is grace—Mela Habijan is the new Miss Trans Global". Preen.ph. September 14, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Filipino LGBTQ advocate wins Miss Trans Global 2020 pageant". Manila Bulletin. September 13, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Filipina Mela Habijan wins Miss Trans Global 2020". Rappler. September 13, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  15. ↑ Cruz, Lorenzo (September 14, 2020). "Filipino transgender Mela Franco Habijan crowned Miss Trans Global 2020". Good News Pilipinas. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  16. ↑ ABS-CBN News (September 13, 2020). "Filipina Mela Franco Habijan named Miss Trans Global 2020". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  17. ↑ Pageant, Miss Trans Global 2020: Pinay Transgender Mela Franco Habijan Wins Online (September 14, 2020). "Miss Trans Global 2020: Pinay Transgender Mela Franco Habijan Wins Online Pageant". Philippine News. Retrieved October 5, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ↑ Soriano, Liezelle. "NSPC TRAINER BAGS MISS TRANS GLOBAL 2020 TITLE". The POST. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  19. ↑ Pundir, Pallavi (December 10, 2021). "She Grew Up Facing Transphobia. Then She Made History By Winning the Miss Trans Global Pageant". Vice. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  20. ↑ House, W. D. "Conheça: a rio-grandina Natasha foi a primeira mulher trans da América Latina a vencer o Miss Trans Global". Grupo Oceano (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  21. ↑ TEM, RIO GRANDE (November 8, 2022). "Rio-grandina Natasha Cardoso é eleita Miss Trans Global". RIO GRANDE TEM (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  22. ↑ Roberts, Monica (August 19, 2007). "TransGriot: Queen of Nations Pageant". TransGriot. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Manipon, Roel Hoang. "First Miss Trans Global is Pinay". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  24. 1 2 Roberts, Monica (July 10, 2020). "TransGriot: Miss Trans Global International Digital Pageant Is Live!". TransGriot. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  25. ↑ L. Payne, OSB No. 084392, Shenoa (December 17, 2019). "Gender-Identity Discrimination (ORS 659A.403) DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL" (PDF). In the United States District Court. Case 3:19-cv-02048-MO: 1–10 – via DISTRICT OF OREGON.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  26. ↑ "This Is the First Transgender Woman to Compete in Miss Montana USA". Teen Vogue. September 7, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Oregon Anita Green". Miss Earth USA. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  28. ↑ "ABOUT". usoapageants. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  29. 1 2 "Beauty Pageant Can Keep Barring Trans Women, Judge Rules". www.courthousenews.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Court Rules Beauty Pageant Has Right to Ban Trans Women From Competing". them. February 26, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  31. ↑ López, Canela. "Miss United States of America has won the right to ban trans women from the competition". Insider. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  32. ↑ Holmes, Juwan J. (February 26, 2021). "Court allows Miss United States of America pageant to exclude transgender women". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Judge rules Miss United States of America can ban trans women – on the same day the Equality Act passed". PinkNews. February 26, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  34. ↑ "'A very harmful message': Banned for being transgender, Portland woman sues pageant". kgw.com. January 2, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  35. ↑ "An Oregon Woman Is Suing a Beauty Pageant that Excludes Transgender Contestants". Willamette Week. December 18, 2019. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  36. ↑ Bernstein, Maxine (February 26, 2021). "Judge dismisses transgender woman's suit against Miss United States of America pageant". oregonlive. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Judge rules Miss USA can ban trans women from its pageant. On the same day the Equality Act passed the House, no less". uk.style.yahoo.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Debate over inclusion of trans women in women-only spaces intensifies". The Guardian. February 9, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  39. ↑ "Keir Starmer backs 'women-only spaces' in 'specific circumstances', amid Labour row". The Independent. September 22, 2021. Archived from the original on May 15, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  40. ↑ "Finn Mackay: the writer hoping to help end the gender wars". The Guardian. October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  41. ↑ "Transgender woman wins Miss Nevada USA pageant, making history". New York Post. June 29, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Miss Nevada USA becomes first transgender woman to win the pageant". www.cbsnews.com. June 30, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  43. ↑ "2021 Miss Nevada Will Be The First Openly Transgender Miss USA Contestant". NPR.org. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Trans activist calls out toxic masculinity and transphobia in 'Pakboys: Takusa'". Manila Bulletin. December 2, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  45. ↑ Corp, ABS-CBN. "In Conversation With Miss Trans Global Philippines' Albiean Revalde and Janlee Dungca". Metro.Style. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  46. ↑ "Miss Trans Global : Karla Michelle compte sur les votes des Mauriciens". Le Defi Media Group (in French). Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  47. ↑ González, Yariel Valdés (November 18, 2020). "Transgender woman murdered in Miami". Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  48. ↑ "HRC Mourns Yunieski Carey Herrera, Trans Latina Killed in Miami". HRC. November 19, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  49. ↑ "Transgender Beauty Queen Is Allegedly Stabbed to Death by Husband in Their Miami High-Rise". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  50. ↑ "Miami Trans Performer Yuni Carey Killed; Partner Charged". www.advocate.com. November 19, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  51. ↑ Torres, Ian Margol, Andrea (November 18, 2020). "Man confesses to killing 'Yuni' Carey in fit of jealous rage, police say". WPLG. Retrieved October 5, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  52. ↑ "LOOK: Pinay Miss Trans Global graces cover of London-based magazine". Manila Bulletin. January 12, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  53. ↑ "Filipina Miss Trans Global Mela Habijan graces London magazine cover". www.msn.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  54. 1 2 3 4 Roberts, Monica (September 14, 2020). "TransGriot: The 2020 Miss Trans Global Is..." TransGriot. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  55. ↑ "Rappler Talk: Beauty and acceptance with Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan". Rappler. January 19, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  56. ↑ "Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan on the cover of Beauty Magazine London". BCG. January 12, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  57. ↑ Pageant, Miss Trans Global (July 15, 2020). "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Miss Trans Global Pageant 2020". Medium. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  58. ↑ "Abante, babae: Mela Habijan leads the charge". The LaSallian. May 21, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  59. 1 2 Quadra, Margo Hannah De Guzman (January 13, 2021). "Filipina Miss Trans Global Mela Habijan graces London magazine cover". Good News Pilipinas. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  60. ↑ "#20 - Mela Habijan | Miss Trans Global 2020, Writer, Actress, LGBTQIA+ Advocate | I am a product of courage". Awkward Turtle At Work with Emery Fung. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  61. ↑ Habijan, Mela (April 29, 2021), Ambiguity of Normalcy, retrieved October 5, 2021
  62. ↑ "Meet Albiean Revalde, Miss Trans Global Philippines 2021". Rappler. June 7, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  63. ↑ "Husband of trans performer Yuni Carey charged with stabbing her to death". Metro Weekly. November 20, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  64. 1 2 "Judges". Miss Trans Global™. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  65. ↑ Roberts, Monica (September 14, 2020). "TransGriot: The 2020 Miss Trans Global Is..." TransGriot. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  66. ↑ "Miss Nevada to become first-ever openly trans Miss USA contestant after clinching stunning victory". PinkNews. June 29, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  67. ↑ "𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗟 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦". www.facebook.com. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
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