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Next Miss Universe Singapore could be born a man

It is an event designed to celebrate the country's most beautiful women.

But next year's Miss Universe Singapore could be won by somebody born a man, after organizers revealed that they are considering accepting contestants who have had a sex change.

A spokesman for Derrol Stepenny Promotions, which runs the Republic's edition of the international beauty pageant, said it is waiting for instructions on the move from the parent organization.

News of the impending change drew mixed reactions from Singaporeans, with some saying that it would make the competition more relevant and others warning that transgender contestants might have an unfair advantage because they would definitely have gone under the knife.

Traditionally, only natural-born women aged between 18 and 27 are allowed to compete in the contest, which is co-owned by United States real estate mogul Donald Trump and television network NBC. Hopefuls compete in national editions before taking part in an international pageant.

Organizers of the global edition said earlier this month that they were working on the language of the official rule change and would announce it soon.

It is not clear whether contestants who have undergone a sex change would have to declare their status.

The policy change comes on the back of an international outcry after a Canadian transgender woman was disqualified from her country's competition last month.

Jenna Talackova, 23, was eventually allowed to return to the contest after she hinted she would file a discrimination lawsuit against the organizers.

Organizers of the Republic's other major beauty pageant, Miss Singapore World, said they were not aware of any similar plans to change the rules.

Lionnel Lim, a fashion publicist who has worked with transgender models, said the move would improve the battered image of beauty pageants here. The industry has been plagued by accusations of sleaze behind the scenes and sinking popularity in recent years.

“Having transgendered contestants would make the competition more socially conscious,” said Lim.

Transgender people who spoke to The Straits Times also lauded the move, saying it would add to the government's goal of building a more inclusive society.

“Of course, I would rather have a transgendered Member of Parliament than a beauty contestant, but it's a step in the right direction,” said public relations consultant Leona Lo, 36.

Student Marla Bendini, 26, said transgender contestants could lead to a more positive representation of the community in society.

“A few weeks ago I was approached by a television crew to play a transsexual sex worker who had fallen to her death out of a hotel room,” she said.

“There's a fascination with transgendered people but we tend to be portrayed in a negative light.”

But both women added that few among them are likely to step forward. “Transsexuals have to deal with discrimination in the workplace, in society and even from their families,” said Lo. “Joining a beauty pageant is likely to be the last thing on their minds.”

Last year's Miss Universe Singapore, 26-year-old Valerie Lim, added that transgender contestants might benefit unduly from having gone under the knife. While cosmetic surgery is not prohibited in the contest, “the international organizers could help by providing guidelines as to how much reconstruction is allowed”, she said.

But she added that the move would benefit the Republic. “The competition is also about personality and conduct. I think having transgender contestants would widen people's minds.”

Engineer Leslie Wong, 29, said the rule change was unlikely to alienate fans of the competition. “If you're in a beauty pageant, you probably look like a beautiful woman,” he said. “I'm not sure I would even be able to tell who is transgendered.”

Bendini said society should also make room for pre-operative transsexuals, but the rule change was a good first step. “It's a beauty pageant, not a glorification of genitals,” she said.

SOURCE: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012 ... a-man.html

Miss Singapore Universe may allow transgender contestants

SINGAPORE - Next year's Miss Universe Singapore could be won by a transgender contestant, reported The Straits Times, after the organiser revealed they are considering accepting contestants who have had a sex change.

The news comes after a Canadian transgender woman, Ms Jenna Talackova (pictured above), 23, was disqualified from the competition due to her status.

But was eventually allowed to return, after hinting that she would file a discrimination lawsuit against the organisers.

A spokesman for Derrol Stepnenny Promotions, which runs the Miss Universe pageant in Singapore, said it is waiting for instructions from the parent organisation, co-owned by United States real estate mogul Donald Trump and television network NBC.

The Straits Times reported that news of the move drew mixed reactions from Singaporeans.

Some felt that transgender contestants may have an unfair advantage as they would have gone under the knife.

Others lauded the move, saying the change would make the competition more relevant.

It is still unclear if whether transgender contestants would have to declare their status when entering the pageant