Last week, I run across a very disheartening news, Miss Universe had revised its policy to welcome transgender candidates. I read the news from Yahoo! and I was utterly disappointed. I have always loved watching Miss Universe since I was 9 years old. I loved seeing these beautiful women from all over the world competing for the highly coveted title. I loved how they’d sashay with their evening gown and swimsuit. And I always get excited when it’s time for the Q & A portion. At a certain point, I wished I had the height and the body to parade with the girls. But of course, I have long given up that hope because I knew Miss Universe has a very stringent policy. However, when it was recently announced that the Miss Universe organization is allowing transgenders to join the pageant, my dismay had gone uphill.
I have nothing against transgenders. I have gay friends who are intelligent and beautiful people. I know that gays are putting so much effort to gain acceptance in our society. And even if there are people who still look down on them, I don’t.
However, when the news about Jenna Talackova came out, I thought it was ridiculous of her to challenge the standards of Miss Universe. And then a few days later, the Miss Universe organization had confirmed changing its rules to allow transgenders starting 2013. What the heck just happened??!!!
Yes, I do respect the gay community, but where’s the respect for the REAL born women at this point? I know that not all gays are in favor of the new policy and it is not fair to direct anger to all gays and transgenders.
I am not certain about Jenna Talackova’s motive, so I am not going to go in that direction. To quote a statement by Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, “the decision to include transgender women Miss Universe is a result of the organization’s ongoing discussions with Gay and Lesbian Alliance against Defamation (GLAAD) and not Talackova’s legal representation, which if anything, delayed the process.”
Okay, so now this is an issue of equality. Perhaps, Jenna Talackova just wanted everyone to recognize transgenders in Miss Universe. We all know that Miss Universe is for REAL born women ever since. Is it too much to ask that it remains that way? Sure, the new policy will encourage more transgenders to show their wit and talent to the world, but it could also discourage REAL women to join the pageant and compete with transgenders. Perhaps, a few years down the road, 90% of Miss Universe candidates are transgenders and I wonder what kind of standards does Miss Universe uphold by then.
I don’t mean to generate negative comments with my opinion, but I just feel that the new policy is a bit of an insult to REAL born women. Does that make me much of a feminist? Maybe. But I hope not in a bad light. Whether we like it or not, equality is not absolute. If a transgender is not allowed in Miss Universe it shouldn’t be regarded as discrimination. There are institutions and standards that need to be respected. But I guess this is just one of those signs that the world has changed SIGNIFICANTLY!
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