The first transgender winner of the Portuguese beauty pageant came out. In July, a transgender woman competed in a beauty contest in the Netherlands and won, followed by a transgender winner in Portugal.
According to AFP news agency on the 6th (local time), Marina Machete (28), a transgender woman, won the “Miss Portugal” competition in Borba, Ebora region in southeastern Portugal.
This is the first time a transgender person has won the first place in a beauty contest in Portugal.
Machete, known as a flight attendant, said on her social networking service (SNS) before the victory was announced, “I am proud to be the first woman to compete for the ‘Miss Universe Portugal’ position,” adding, “I have not been able to participate for many years, but I became one of the finalists today.” Earlier in July, transgender people won the “Miss Netherlands” competition for the first time.
The protagonist is Ricky Kohler, 22, a transgender woman who became the first transgender winner in the Dutch beauty contest.
Kohler also advanced to the final of the Dutch beauty competition “Dutch Next Top Model” in 2018.
“When I came out as a transgender person as a child, everyone had a difficult situation,” Kohler said. “After a few years, I’m stronger than ever.” He then said, “I want to support all ‘Ricky’ who are rejected by their families to grow into the person they want.”
Meanwhile, Miss Universe organizers have allowed transgender people to attend the competition since 2012. Machete and Kohler will advance to the “Miss Universe,” a beauty contest involving representatives from all over the world who won in their home countries. This year’s Miss Universe will be held in El Salvador next month.
Five years ago in 2018, transgender Angela Ponce (32), from Spain, entered the Miss Universe for the first time
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
