Marina Machete has made history by being crowned Miss Portugal in 2023 and becoming the first transgender woman to compete for her country’s crown. At 28 years old, Machete, a flight attendant, beat 16 participants and marked a turning point in the perception and acceptance of the trans community in beauty pageants.
Machete stood out not only for her beauty but also for her eloquence and ability to connect with the audience and the judges. Already crowned, she was extremely excited, stating that she was “proud to be the first trans woman to compete for the title of Miss Universe Portugal.” Furthermore, she congratulated herself for reaching the final even though “for years it was not possible for me to participate.”
But the Portuguese isn’t the only transgender model in this year’s competition. Previously, the first trans candidate announced was Rikkie Valerie Kollé, 22, who took the title of Miss Netherlands.
The recognition of Marina Machete and Rikkie Valerie Kollé in their respective countries and on the international scene signals a palpable change in the perception of beauty, femininity, and inclusion in traditionally exclusive spaces.
The first history of a trans woman in Miss Universe was in 2018 when Angela Ponce broke barriers by representing her country in a contest held in Thailand. Although Ponce did not reach the semifinals, her presence in the competition marked a significant change in these contests.
Since 2012, the Miss Universe organization has allowed the participation of transgender women. Still, it was in 2022 when Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, a Thai businesswoman and activist for the rights of trans people, acquired the rights to the contest and promised to make it more “diverse and inclusive.”
Anne Jakrajutatip seeks to build on Miss Universe’s more than 70-year legacy as an “international and inclusive organization that celebrates women of all profiles, cultures and traditions.” In that sense, Machete and Kollé’s triumphs are a personal achievement and a step towards a more egalitarian and diverse society.
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