Trans Miss Universe Canada Contestant DQ'd

[Carolyn Marie]

Jenna Talackova, a contestant in the Miss Universe Canada competition, was disqualified by pageant officials when it was discovered that she was transsexual.

http://www.ctvbc.ctv...20323/20120323/

To me, it comes down to what qualifications were listed on the application. If it said you had to be a natal woman, and Talackova lied, then end of story. If the question wasn't asked, then Talackova has a great legal case. You can't make up the rules after-the-fact.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Kelly-087]

Good for her.

Not for being DQ'd.. But she made it to the finals and it took that long for her to be figured out. Quite an accomplishment IMO.

I have my doubts the question was truly asked, as it seems a situation where the authorities wouldn't feel the need to ask the question. But I'm sure it will come down to a law suit of some sort.

[Guest chngnwnd]

This has all the trimmings of a disgusting case of discrimination. Even if the contest rules specified "natal women" the pageant organizers are out of line. Excluding trans women would be inherently unjust - we are women.

It is wonderful that she was a finalist. Hopefully the truth will come out and there will be a change. For my part, I emailed the pageant organizers to complain. Maybe it is not my place, but I am having less and less patience for trans people being treated like second class citizens.

Bobbi

[Guest Jo-88]

It is a "beauty" pageant... if someone is beautiful what does it matter what sex they were born. I hope they sort this out in her favor, she should be allowed to compete. Like Carolyn said if it stated in the rules before hand that all contestants must be natal women then thats one thing. But if not, then they are definitely in the wrong. I would really like to know what the rules said actually. If the rules did state that the contestants must be natal women then Jenna should have stayed away (or at least fought for an exception up front), by the same token if a natal woman entered a transsexual beauty contest she would be disqualified and I would think that would be the right thing to do... again it comes down to the rules, and the rules are dependent on who is funding the whole event (usually conservative, wealthy, older men).

However preferably there shouldn't be any rules to that effect, it is BS, and if they are trying to change things after the fact then its even more BS and I think Jenna has a good legal case against them.

I think it would be cool to see a completely gender neutral beauty contest; one with men, women, trans-men, trans-women, androgynes, etc... now that would be super cool... I would totally check that out haha. There are so many forms of beauty in this world, its not just the realm of natal women.

[Guest Donna Jean]

Jenna Talackova, a contestant in the Miss Universe Canada competition, was disqualified by pageant officials when it was discovered that she was transsexual.

http://www.ctvbc.ctv...20323/20120323/

To me, it comes down to what qualifications were listed on the application. If it said you had to be a natal woman, and Talackova lied, then end of story. If the question wasn't asked, then Talackova has a great legal case. You can't make up the rules after-the-fact.

Carolyn Marie

I have to agree....she's beautiful....but, the rules are the make or break.....

Dee Jay

[Guest Risu]

How long until people lear, being born male or female is on the inside and not the outside?

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Well, she transitioned as a child and had SRS at age 19. What I see in the news indicates the 'rules' do not say natal nor cis-woman. But I am guessing they are hanging their decision on some discrepency in the application.

Her is a fairly good report on this. Because it has a swimming suit shot - it will have to be copied and brought up - not a direct link. The replies are also fairly constructive - which in itself is unusual.

(delete the x) xdearpageantgirl.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/what-happened-to-jenna-talackova-15-2/

Lizzy

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

According to Denis Davila, national director of Miss Universe Canada, the rules set by the Miss Universe franchise state that each contestant must be a “naturally born female.”

'...poop.......

Dee Jay

[Guest Elizabeth K]

So caesarian born females need not apply?

Lizzy

[Guest Jo-88]

So caesarian born females need not apply?

Lizzy

...gotta love semantics haha, by that line of reasoning Im not even a natural human much less a natural woman (I was delivered via c-section). But yea, if those are the rules I am not sure what Jenna is going to be able to do about it... seems kinda strange though that the organization really isn't responding on the matter yet... if the rules were that clear cut then why not just say so right of the bat? Still seems kinda fishy to me, I guess we will have to stay tuned to know more.

[Carolyn Marie]

The other thing is, what kind of vetting do they give these contestants? I would think they check for criminal records, nude photo shoots, jobs in the porn industry, etc. Well, Jenna was a contestant in at least one trans beauty pageant - there is a Youtube video with an interview of her during the event. She wasn't exactly hiding the fact. Seems like some pretty poor management to me. Those folks have only themselves to blame.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Nova Maria]

Although I don't think it's fair that this girl was disqualified....we already knew that Miss Universe perpetuates misogynistic values. I'm disappointed, but not shocked, that she was removed. Only several years ago did the first lesbian compete in a Miss Universe pageant. Pageantry, government, and military groups generally experience a lag in adapting to cultural changes, and this is no exception.

[Guest Jenny C]

It is a total shame !!! Whatever the rules.

Looked for video's and was horrified with some of the comments I have read...

Society is so far from making sense. Stereotypes are so strong and so many persons are close minded. It's a big deception for me... Again.

I'm ok but in a fury !!! (...)

Jenny

[Cyndee]

Jenna Talackova is gorgeous and deserves to be there, I am happy for her getting to the finals !

However the rules set by a privately run pageant have to stand, it's their right to run as they see fit. May beauty win, not lawyers, perhaps they will change their minds ??

C -

[Carolyn Marie]

I saw it mentioned on CNN Headline News this morning. I hope there is some difinitive word about whether she did or didn't violate written rules. The pagaent officials say there were such rules, and other sources say there weren't. Ought to be easy to prove, I would think.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Stormrider2112]

I wonder if an FTM would be eligible, then >.> See a few dozen beautiful women, and then see a cut transman next to them in all his glory! (Of course, he could model in suits and trunks rather than gowns and swimsuits ) Loopholes = fun!

[Guest Erica Kaylee]

Here is a link to the petition supporting Jenna's re-instatement into the Pageant. About 40k signatures so far. Please everybody support her!

http://www.change.org/petitions/miss-universe-canada-donald-trump-reverse-the-unfair-disqualification-of-jenna-talackova

[Guest Shy]

I saw this story by chance as it was the top story on yahoo . I honestly think beauty pageants are a load of crap to begin with. I told my friend about this, and she recalled dreadful memories of being in a beauty pageant at age 7. Out of nowhere she began to cry as all this emotion came out. I know there's a difference between pageants for kids and adults, but I feel they all negatively affect young girls' self esteem. I still think people should have the right do to them of course, and this is most definitely old fashioned discrimination. However, I almost feel like this story was planned.

They had to know she was trans. She was not at all trying to hide it. And she's lived as a woman for more than 3/4s of her life, so it makes sense she would say that she is such. Because she is. I would not put it past Donald Trump, being the publicity hog that he is, or his people, specifically groomed to be ruthless d-bags, to let this poor girl in, and then kick her out as a means to cater to the pageant's target market in or order to rekindle a dying interest in an outmoded, dolled-up pedo party. All the right wing christians are sayin "America, F yea! God don't make no trash!"

Anyhow, I got heated at the comments on the yahoo news page, and I couldn't resist trolling these ignorant jerks. Come join me if you like.

http://news.yahoo.co...-061039557.html

Edited March 30, 2012 by Carolyn Marie
Two words changed. Rules prohibit getting around the word filter.

[Carolyn Marie]

I know there have already been too many stories written about this, but this essay is particularly well done and gives a slightly different, and broader, take on the whole issue of "what is a woman?"

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/321978/20120330/jenna-talackova-photos-transgender-miss-universe-canada.htm

Carolyn Marie

[Guest rita63]

Story in todays Toronto Star, Donald Trump, Owner of the Miss Universe franchise will allow Jenna Talackova to participate. I agree with the reporter who aid she hasn't had anymore work done than the average hollywood starlet. I still won't bother watching.

hugs rita

[Cyndee]

YES !! I was hoping this would happen (my comment above), Donald does get it.

Go Jenna !!

C -

[Guest LizMarie]

I saw it in a British paper.

http://www.thesun.co...nline-fans.html

[Guest Elizabeth K]

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/04/02/transgender-beauty-queen-back-in-pageant

I hope this is not a repeat.

Lizzy

[Svenna]

YAYYYY!!!!!!!

:)

[Guest Krisina]

I'm so happy about hearing of the reversal of the decision to allow her to compete. What her past was shouldn't matter. Her body didn't match her brain. She was a woman she is a woman she has always been a woman. She is legally recognized as a woman and carries a Canafian passport which legally identifies her as a woman.

Krisina