I didn’t know how to react when I first read this news…

Donald Trump’s Miss Universe contest on Tuesday threw open its doors to transgender models, allowing men who have had a sex change the chance to be crowned the world’s most beautiful woman.

The transgender contestants will be able to strut their stuff in the international beauty championships starting in 2013, while pioneering sex-change model Jenna Talackova will be allowed to take part this year, said gay and transgender rights organization GLAAD.

“The Miss Universe Organization today follows institutions that have taken a stand against discrimination of transgender women including the Olympics,” said Herndon Graddick, a spokesman for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
“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.”(excerpts from Yahoo News)

Some say that allowing transgenders to enter Ms. Universe is changing the idea of what makes up a typical Ms. Universe. The rules of Ms. Universe say entrants must be “naturally born” females so it’s very clear that those who underwent sex change are not qualified. Hmmm…

I agree that the essence of being beautiful has nothing to do with gender. But if Donald Trump’s New York City-based organization will allow transgenders, then they should take away all the restrictions and allow Moms, single Moms, unwed Moms, or parolees who are beautiful, smart and full of confidence to join Ms. Universe. This is about equality for all women anyway.