Jenna Talackova -- Once Beauty Queen -- Garners Support
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- Category: LGBT Issues
- Published on Tuesday, 27 March 2012 19:10
- Written by Lara Landis
- Hits: 996
Jenna Talackova was disqualified from the Miss Universe Canada pageant. The woman was disqualified because of her transgender status, or as the original notice put it, for not being a woman. Even though the Talackova could not continue in the Miss Universe pageant, many Canadians have decided to show their support.
Tackalova did not expect the outpouring of support she received from many of her fellow citizens. Thousands of e-mails poured in saying how proud they would be to have her support Canada, according to People Magazine.
Tackalove entered the Miss Universe Canada 2012 pageant. She underwent gender reassignment surgery years earlier, and told the judges she met all the qualifications to be eligible to participate. The rules for the pageant do not say that undergoing SRS disqualifies a contestant, but she was ultimately removed. Pageant contestants quickly released a decision saying they wished her the best after the news of her dismissal became public.
The rules of the pageant do cover a patient's sex at birth, although a spokesperson misused the term gender. Despite the finality of the decision, over 20,000 people have signed a change.org petition asking the Miss Universe Canada organization to reconsider its decision.
A number of beauty pageants allow transgender contestants, but they usually contribute to the notion that a male to female or female to male individual is not a real woman or a real man. The organizers of the Miss Universe competition are not likely to change the decision that ousted Jenna Talackova from the competition, even if her supporters can bring political pressure onto the organization itself. The story, on the other hand, may help pave the way for other candidates who want to enter beauty pageants.
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Ousted Beauty Queen Garners Support
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A pageant that did allow a trans person to compete against cis people of their gender would not be denying their identity. Unless you are referring to pageants specifically for trans people, which can be problematic for a variety of reasons.
Also you repeat the phrase "male to female" twice, instead "female to male" the second time.