Spanish model becomes first trans woman to compete in Miss Universe

Ciara Sheppard
·Contributor Yahoo Style UK

Model Angela Ponce will be the first transgender woman to compete in Miss Universe after being crowned Miss Universe Spain.

The 26-year-old won her country’s qualifying rounds against 22 other contestants and will now compete in the Philippines this December for the upmost Miss Universe title.

Speaking about winning her country’s national competition, Ponce, who was born in Seville, said she had “fulfilled a dream” and that it was her “tenacity, perseverance, discipline, respect and self love” that won her the title.

Angela Ponce will be competing for her country in the Miss Universe competition. [Photo: Instagram]
Angela Ponce will be competing for her country in the Miss Universe competition. [Photo: Instagram]

https://twitter.com/PageantsNEWS/status/1012889859718041600

“I close with The Crown of Miss Universe Spain a stage where I walk hand in hand with my family and friends always receiving their support and unconditional love, without them none of this would be possible,” Ponce said in an Instagram post.

Next, Ponce heads into the next stage of the pageant, competing for the most prestigious accolade of Miss Universe.

In an Instagram post, she says: “My goal: to be spokesperson for a message of inclusion, respect and diversity not only for the lgbtq+ community but for the whole world.”

La vida está llena de retos, de desafíos, comprender eso en mi vida ha hecho que hoy haya cumplido un sueño que siempre tuve, para ello lo único que necesite fue convertir cada obstáculo que se me presentaba como una oportunidad de crecimiento. Desde mi tenacidad, con constancia, disciplina, respeto, amor a mi misma cierro con La Corona del Miss Universo España una etapa donde camine de la mano de mi familia y amigos recibiendo siempre su apoyo y amor incondicional, sin ellos nada de esto sería posible. @daniela_fundacion por permitirme crecer y ser mejor persona a su lado. Y a mis preparadores @juliomatamoros_hair y @jorgematamorosmakeup por confiar en mi y regalarme su tiempo, sus conocimientos y su ilusión. Hoy comienza un nuevo ciclo para mí, comprometida conmigo misma, con mi misión de vida, con España, voy rumbo al @missuniverse, con la conciencia y el compromiso de llevar adelante un mensaje de inclusión, respeto, tolerancia, amor por uno mismo, amor por los demás. De la mano de @orgbemiss y @guillermoescobaroficial, llevando a adelante nuestro slogam: “SOMOS MÁS DE LO QUE VES”, les doy las Gracias por acompañarme en este maravilloso viaje, por creer en mí, por darme la oportunidad de poner un granito de arena por una sociedad que merece cambios, dejar una huella sembrada en cada ser humano que la vida me ponga en mi camino. Gracias por cada mensaje lleno de amor que me han enviado…

A post shared by ANGELA PONCE (@angelaponceofficial) on Jul 2, 2018 at 1:19pm PDT

Miss Universe lifted its ban to let transgender models compete in 2012 after Canadian contestant Jenna Talackova campaigned for inclusion with the backing of GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and defence lawyer Gloria Allred.

They fought against Donald Trump, who owned the pageant at the time, to let Talackova compete – a case which they eventually won.

At the time, Donald Trump told CNN, “We made the decision two days before we even heard that (Allred) was involved.”

He then continued, “Had I known she was involved, maybe I wouldn’t have made that decision because she’s easy to beat.”

What better way to celebrate Pride month that with this news?

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