Miss Spain breaking barriers as first transgender Miss Universe hopeful

BANGKOK, Thailand – 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 marginalized and misunderstood, with high rates of suicide.

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