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The Miss Universe organization announced today that they will reverse their ban on transgendered contestants. The decision is, of course, directly related to the case of Jenna Talackova, a transgendered Miss Universe hopeful from Canada. Originally, the Miss Universe organization was going to only allow Talackova to compete, providing that she "[met] the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and the standards established by other international competitions." (Requirements that include never having had testicles, presumably.) They've since included all transgender people in the decision.

Penis owner Donald Trump (who's also co-owner of the Miss Universe competition) used the debacle to brag about his penis to Gloria Allred, because alerting someone taking legal action against him of the self-described immensity of his genitals is a thing that I knew Donald Trump would do before he even did it. 

Allred was acting as Talackova's lawyer to get her into the competition, but Trump and the Miss Universe organization insisted, "the change is in spite of, not because of, legal threats from women's rights lawyer Gloria Allred," instead giving credit to GLAAD for the change.

This is a great landmark for the transgendered movement. Talackova deserves to be in the competition because, well, she is a woman. But really, is this that important of a thing to fight for? I mean, I understand it's an issue of equal rights, but is getting into Miss Universe really imperative? It's not like she was being legally denied the ability to hold a political position, or get a job. She was being denied entry into a horrifying mixture of glamor, eating disorders, and Donald Trump. Either way, hopefully Talackova won't just be known as "the transgendered contestant," and her "talent" will stand for itself in the competition. 

Commentarium (8 Comments)

Apr 10 12 - 5:03pm
Wil Stolberg

Of course it is important. The only way to bring about true acceptance and true change is to win every imaginable battle for acceptance by any individual on any front. If any person has the ability and talent to do a particular job or win a contest or fulfill any role in society they should not have their desires thwarted by discrimination.

Apr 10 12 - 7:57pm
Thinkywritey

I think the pageant system should have gone the other way and barred anyone who has had surgical alterations. Just like dog shows. It's all about breeding fitness and stud fees, right?

Apr 10 12 - 10:08pm
huh

Just what we need, a Miss Universe with a bulge in her swimsuit.

Apr 11 12 - 2:06am
Kimberlee McKane

says: LMFAO...

Apr 12 12 - 6:10am
covered ukupdau

Aren't women allowed to smuggle budgies?

Apr 11 12 - 12:21am
113 orkaeop

This is all BS. No country with any kind of ego (meaning all of them) is going to have former male represent their nation's femininity, before a 'real' women does. And the organisers KNOW this. They're making themselves look good while being well aware it's a bridge they're never going to have to cross. That doesn't mean to say there won't be such contestants present in individual heats within different countries (I'm sure Thailand is guaranteed to have an internally significant contingent), but that will be as far as any of them ever go.

Apr 11 12 - 12:22am
113 orkaeop

real woman*

Apr 11 12 - 5:16am
huh

Yah I actually agree ^^^ the idea of a former man representing a country's femininity is the biggest joke ever!
I am all for tolerance and I believe that sexuality and gender is a continuum, and that if you identify as gender fluid or whatever that is just fine, and your choices are ultimately your business :)

That being said, the idea that having some surgery and taking some hormones "makes you a woman" is totally ridiculous. Our culture is open enough that you can be a feminine man or masculine woman. Fuck gender constructs! Don't have to mess with your junk. I think it is baffling that being transgendered has been welcomed under the LGB(T) umbrella, and yet "Apotemnophilia" is still evidence of being insane.

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