Image via: @Official_MissSA / Twitter
Miss SA: Transgender women eligible to compete for the crown
The Miss SA organisation has been lauded for its inclusivity after it made very clear that transgender women would be allowed to compete.
Image via: @Official_MissSA / Twitter
The Miss SA organisation, that bought the license to the pageant in 2019, has been praised on social media for its inclusivity after it announced that transgender women are eligible to compete for the prize. Well…praised for the most part.
TRANSGENDER WOMEN ABLE TO COMPETE FOR THE THIRD SUCCESSIVE YEAR
The organisation told The South African on Thursday 27 May that transgender women have, for the third successive year, been eligible to enter the 2021 Miss South Africa pageant.
“However, in order to be eligible to compete internationally, the contestant must be in possession of a valid South African ID document reflecting that their amended sex is female,” it said.
“Since we took over the competition, our goal has been to be more inclusive and embracing of all members of society. Miss South Africa will continue to recognise the innate potential in all young South African women and will provide both the tools and the platform to augment and shape this inbuilt talent into a leader who embraces her self-worth while inspiring others and creating a real social impact,” said CEO of the Miss South Africa Organisation Stephanie Weil.
“The changes are all part of an ongoing drive by the Miss South Africa Organisation to grow the Miss South Africa brand and keep it relevant in today’s world,” she added.
MZANSI REACTS RELATIVELY WELL TO MISS SA ORGANISATION
For the most part, Twitter users were impressed and positive. Many said they were all about inclusivity and that it was definitely a step in the right direction.
One Twitter user said; “Finally all women are being represented…love this so much.”
“Miss SA is accepting Transwomen in 2021.This is the freedom Nelson Mandela fought for,” said another.
Others said they could not wait to see a transgender woman take the crown. Another said she would happily avail herself as a stylist. There was, however, a bit of concern regarding the sex reflecting on the ID document.
“Guys please help me understand why it’s necessary that trans women’s gender marker be corrected in order for them to enter Miss SA?”
“Trans women having female gender markers in their ID. It just doesn’t make sense. Why would that matter?” another asked.
Entries for the next beauty queen are open until midnight 24 June 2021 and Miss South Africa 2021 Eligibility Requirements can be found here.
