Posted on 12/16/2018 9:48:41 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Miss Spain's Angela Ponce is blazing a trail as the first transgender contestant in Miss Universe's 66-year history.
Carrying a bold message of inclusion, transgender rights and a sharp rebuke to US President Donald Trump, Miss Spain's Angela Ponce is blazing a trail as the first transgender contestant in Miss Universe's 66-year history.
The willowy beauty is making history since the pageant reversed a longstanding policy in 2012 that participants must be "naturally born" women.
Explaining her broad appeal the plain-speaking 27-year-old says "who hasn't suffered from prejudice? Who hasn't had to deal with bullying?"
Outside the walls of Miss Universe -- whose finals will be held early Monday in Thailand's capital Bangkok -- the transgender community continues to be marginalised and misunderstood, with high rates of suicide.
A leaked White House report said President Trump's administration is considering pushing changes to the law to define gender by biological traits at birth, while trying to block transgender people from military service.
Ponce is defiant about how to respond to Trump, a former owner of Miss Universe, and others who would try to box her in by physical traits.
"I always say: having a vagina didn't transform me into a woman. I am a woman, already before birth, because my identity is here," she told AFP, gesturing to her head.
She also took issue with the classification of trans people by large sections of society based on prejudice and narrow assessments of gender.
"Outsiders say what I can and cannot do, what I am and what I am not,'" Ponce said, noting, "No, I'm sorry. To be a woman is your identity. It doesn't matter if you are white, black, if you have a vagina... if you have a penis."
Ponce, who works with a foundation in Spain helping children struggling with stigma linked to being trans, is aware of the visibility she brings to the Miss Universe platform.
Her performance has so far drawn praise, from her portrayal of a flamenco dancer during the national costume portion of the competition to her strut down the runway in a shimmery mermaid-like gown in the evening dress category.
"You can empower yourself like I have and turn something negative into your biggest strength," she said, adding, "Children are born without prejudices and I think that if we talk to them about diversity from a young age... we can create a new generation of human beings who are raised a lot better, more tolerant and respectful."
This year's event, which critics say is a throwback to stereotypes of the the pre #MeToo era, has largely preached a message of inclusivity. It boasts an all-women panel of judges made up of business leaders and former Miss Universe titleholders.
But gaffes still abound -- Miss USA Sarah Rose Summers got in hot water for appearing to mock the contestants from Vietnam and Cambodia on social media for not being able to speak English. She has since posted an apology on instagram, saying she did not "intend to hurt" her fellow competitors.
Monday's event will see last year's winner Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa crown her successor among 94 countries in a live televised event hosted by American comic turned TV host Steve Harvey and supermodel Ashley Graham.
..”blazing a trail..
..carrying a bold message..
..a sharp rebuke to U.S. President Trump..
..her bold appeal”..
A
“News”18..
..oookay
What’s the Vegas odds of it winning?
Thank goodness for Poland and Hungary. Spain is lost.
CHANGED at 16!?!
I hope it wins.
What’s wrong with using DNA like they used tp use at the Olympics to screen athletes. Isn’t that “settled science”?
I always say: having a vagina didn’t transform me into a woman.
Well, good - because he doesnt have a vagina.
You mean like Brokeback Mountain
Miss Universe show is just a freak show will they have a 3 headed lambs head in a jar on stage next how Hollywood of them.
Actually, the smart money is on Gracie Lou Freebush.
“message of inclusion, transgender rights and a sharp rebuke to US President Donald Trump”
It should be obvious now that HE is going to win. The Miss Universe is not about beauty. It’s the same as the Oscars, which is the same as the Academy which is the same as the Emmy which is the same as the Grammy which is the same as the Tony.
Nothing more than another platform for promoting leftist crap.
PDJT did not say anything to you.
Therefor you can not be "defiant about how to respond."
Apparently it is now mandatory for every nutcase proglib, commie, queer, illegal or anti-American to insert a cheap shot against the President into everything they say.
What a screwed up way to live.
.
The beginning of the end for the Miss Universe crap.
Who is going to be watching a contest where a man can compete against women to be “Miss” Universe?
Yeah, people will watch, but it’s for the same kind of reason that people stop to watch a traffic accident with victims.
In any case, I’ll be rooting for M(r/iss) Spain. Without watching, of course. Don’t wanna miss any re-runs of Gilligan’s Island.
The contest is being held in Bangkok. Win guaranteed.
Men are more beautiful women than women. ??
This is just another attempt by the evil patriarchy to exclude women yet again. There needs to be a Miss. Universe for womyn too! Where are the feminazis?
“Does anyone doubt that this freak will win? That the judges will dare to defy the liberal fascists?”
I’m afraid you nailed it. The judges wouldn’t DARE fail to crown “her.” Truly these are the last days. I’m not Catholic, but it is worth noting the Catholic mystic who stated that “the final battle would be over Marriage and the Family.”
Will he get an erection if he wins?
It would be funny if he came un-tucked after the (inevitable) win.
The LAST DAYS were introduced when society started to accept homosexuality as normal and the book of ‘GENESIS’ was shredded. We shall feel God’s extreme displeasure during the LAST DAYS.
Mercy,mercy,mercy.
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