By BOT GLORIOSO
Should transgender women be allowed to compete in Miss Universe?
The question was addressed to It’s Showtime’s 2018 Miss Q&A winner Juliana Parizcova Segovia, who reiterated her objection to transgender women joining beauty pageants traditionally for “natural-born women”.
Juliana said that transgender women have their own platform to showcase their beauty and talent.
“’Yung nag-trend na statement ko that was during the finals of Miss Q&A. We were asked if we will agree for the beauty organization in the Philippines to allow transgender women to join Miss Universe,” began Juliana during the virtual media con for the Darryl Yap-directed film for Viva titled Gluta that is set to premiere on July 2 on Vivamax.
“For me, hindi talaga ako pabor kasi para sa ‘kin if you are looking for equality parang that’s too much. Oo, nandoon tayo sa point na transwomen are women but we should also understand that the this (Miss Universe) competition is really meant for original women.”
Juliana believes it is best for transgender women to join in international beauty tilts like the Miss International Queen. “Kung mas bibigyan lang ng magandang focus ‘yung Miss International Queen or if it’s possible to have Miss International Queen of the Philippines mas maganda para bago isabak sa Thailand mas prepared na.”
To recall, the debate on allowing transgender women to Miss Universe became a hot topic when trans beauty queen Angela Ponce won the 2018 Miss Spain and became a contender to the Miss Universe 2018 along with Philippines’ Catriona Gray (who went on to win the title that year). The Miss U competition lifted a ban on transgender contestants in 2012, although other major beauty contests continue to only accept contestants “assigned female at birth.”
Juliana remained firm with her previous stand, saying, “Kapag ba sa Miss Gay Barangayan hindi ka ba magrereklamo bilang transgender woman kung may sasaling totoong babae?”
The first-ever grand winner of Miss Q&A, known as a pageant for gay men and transgender women, added: “Ito talaga yung dinikta ng lipunan – kung babae ka, Miss Universe ang para sa ‘yo at kung transgender woman ka at gusto mo talagang magkaroon ng korona, Miss International Queen ang para sa ‘yo.”
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