Trans woman Jenna Talackova open doors, trans ally Olivia Culpo wins title, anti-trans Sheena Monnin quits pageant
THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Transgender people went 3 for 3 in the positive PR department on the Miss Universe beauty pageant circuit in 2012.
Earlier this year Canadian trans woman Jenna Talackova pioneered the acceptance of transgender contestants in that pageant and last week, a cis-contestant who previously voiced her support of transgender participation back in June, Olivia Culpo, was crowned Miss Universe.
Here’s what Culpo, then Miss Rhode Island, said during the Miss USA pageant in response to this question: Would it be fair if a transgender woman won the Miss USA title?: “I do think it would be fair… there are so many people who have a need to change for a happier life. I do accept that because I believe it’s a free country.”
Culpo, a Boston University sophomore, went on to win the Miss USA title in June and the Miss Universe title last week.
Contrast that from what Carrie Prejean, Miss California (2009) USA, said back in the 2009 pageant: “I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there. But that’s how I was raised and I believe that it should be between a man and a woman.”
Also. there’s this third positive bit of news from the Miss Universe pageant that ought to bring a smile to many trans people’s faces. Last week, the Miss Universe organization won a lawsuit against Sheena Monnin, former Miss Pennsylvania USA, who quit in the middle of the pageant, for, among other things, allowing transgender contestants.
This statement was reportedly sent by Monnin to the pageant officials: “I refuse to be part of a pageant system that has so far and so completely removed itself from its foundational principles as to allow and support natural born males to compete in it. This goes against ever (sic) moral fiber of my being.”
I’m not so sure if they’ll be able to collect the $5 million they’re asking for, but I like the idea that hate can be expensive.
More on Jenna Talackova, Culpo, Monnin and the Miss Universe pageant can be found here: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/?s=jenna+talackova
Culpo’s June statement: Daily Kos: Miss Rhode Island Embraces Transgender Contestants, Wins.
Monnin’s June statement: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/47696589/ns/today-style/t/miss-usa-contestant-resigns-says-pageant-was-fixed/#.UNgSdVI_eJ8
Lawsuit outcome: http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2012/12/donald-trump-wins-arbitration-suit-against-miss-usa-contestant
Trans woman Jenna Talackova open doors, trans ally Olivia Culpo wins title, anti-trans Sheena Monnin quits pageant
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Filed under: Media, Positive PR, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, beauty pageant, Carrie Prejean, contestant, Jenna Talackova, miss universe, Olivia Culpo, Sheena Monnin
I generally like your posts Lexi but I have a serious problem with suggesting that a beauty queen is a role model. In fact I think the opposite is true. Its pretty sad when trans people are so desperate for affirmation that they will turn to something as vapid as a beauty queen. This is just plain wrong on so many levels.
I used to have a similar view, indeed if one goes back to my very first post on the topic, I actually complained about the attention Talackova was getting, distracting us from things that really matter. But I came to realize that she was reaching a massive amount of people positively in ways that we couldn’t even possibly pay to do, so I’ve come around in my thinking and now consider the bigger picture.
You do have valid points though, and I’m sure a great many agree with you, but for the time being, IMO the benefits outweigh everything else.
Thanks for your comments.
Slut shaaaming.
Why wouldn’t a beauty queen be a role model? You’re judging these women for wanting to be beautiful?
Many of us are desperate, because we live most of our lives feeling ugly, and as if we’re in the wrong body. Why is it so bad to want to be beautiful?
Ithink it is nice to have transgendered in padgents. In July of this year I ran for Mizz Gay Pride a transgendered title here in Vancouver Washington. They haden’t used the title in 5 year. I am proud to have won this title with my crown and sash out makeing transgender awareness.I also love helping raise money to help our youth that are having issues with their gender.
Whatever we can do well and succeed at
and still be a good role model I say more power
to you!
I think maybe the point has been missed. There is nothing inherent to suggest that a beauty queen cannot be a role model. But, her beauty queen status does not make her one. For that she would need other qualities to qualify.
For the record there is nothing wrong with wanting to be beatiful and I will confess that my appearance is very important to me. I am fortunate in this as most consider me to be attractive. However, it is good fortune and in no way speaks to qualities of character which are much more valuable. Society places far too much emphasis on appearance, women in particular do so and I feel uncomfortable with promoting this false idea. Having said that I have no problem with anyone who wants to pursue their dream.
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