For the first time in the pageant’s history, the title of Miss Nevada USA has been won by a transgender “woman”.
Kataluna Enriquez was crowned the winner Sunday at the South Point hotel-casino in Las Vegas.
The 27-year-old Enriquez won the Miss Silver State USA pageant in March, a preliminary competition for the Miss Nevada USA pageant.
As the mother of a #trans child bearing witness to #KatalunaEnriquez making history in #LasVegas was incredible. This win and her journey to @MissUSA gives hope to the entire gender diverse community. Visibility and representation matter. pic.twitter.com/8ShmzZrjVp
— Krista Whitley (@SocialKrista) June 28, 2021
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Enriquez first took part in transgender pageants in 2016 when she was working as a model.
Enriquez beat 21 other competitors to represent Nevada in the Miss USA pageant held on Nov. 29.
She calls her victory “a celebration of women and diversity.”
#LasVegas I present to you our new Miss Nevada USA: #KatalunaEnriquez 👑 Kataluna is the first #trans queen to go to #MissUSA but she did not win because she is trans. She won because she is a remarkable, talented, & poised woman. #TransIsBeautiful @Lavernecox pic.twitter.com/IChz0JMV41
— Krista Whitley (@SocialKrista) June 28, 2021
The win couldn’t come at a better time, as President Biden told Congress in his first joint address in April that “to all transgender Americans watching at home, especially the young people. You’re so brave. I want you to know your president has your back.”
His comments come amid a flurry of state bills targeting transgender people.
How ironic would it be if the pageant that was once owned by former President Trump crowned a biological male as Miss USA (and how appropriate)?
Source: AP