This week I stumbled upon a news article that I
found to be very relevant to our Women's Studies class. The title of this
article was, "Miss Universe pageant allowing transgender women." In
this article it explains that a new rule will be implemented so that next year
transgendered women will be allowed to compete in the Miss Universe pageant.
This new rule change is just one more step towards equality for people of all
genders. I am so proud to see that we are taking these necessary steps to move
towards equality.
Surprisingly, this new rule came about a week after
Jenna Talackova was disqualified for competing in Canada's Miss Universe
pageant in May. Jenna Talakova was born a male, and she had a sex change four
years ago. Jenna was denied the right to compete in Canada's Miss Universe
pageant because of the rule that states "must be a naturally born woman."
The advocacy group GLADD asked the Miss Universe Organization to look at
Jenna's case and asked that they allow transgendered women to compete in the
pageant. "We want to give credit where credit is due, and the decision to
include transgender women in our beauty competitions is a result of our ongoing
discussions with GLAAD," said Paula Shugart, president of the Miss
Universe Organization. "We have a long history of supporting equality for
all women, and this was something we took very seriously."
This is another large milestone for feminism and
equal rights. "The Miss Universe Organization today follows institutions
that have taken a stand against discrimination of transgender women including
the Olympics, NCAA, the Girl Scouts of America and The CW's America's Next Top
Model," said GLAAD's senior director of programs Herndon Graddick.
"At a time when transgender people are still routinely denied equal opportunities
in housing, employment and medical care, today's decision is in line with the
growing levels of public support for transgender people across the
country."The pageant could set off a series of events that could lead
people to be more understanding of transgendered people and it could hopefully
translate to different aspects of society. By having transgendered women in the
pageant, many stereotypes could be crushed and many people could become more
accepting of something that seems so unfamiliar.
http://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/miss-universe-pageant-allowing-transgender-women-1.3652341
