A transgender woman has become a beauty queen in the Netherlands: she will represent the country at the 'Miss Universe'

Ricky Valerie Kolle was crowned Miss Netherlands 2023, becoming the first transgender woman to win the title. The edition told in more detail NPR.

Photo: IStock

After winning the pageant, Colle will represent her homeland at the Miss Universe pageant due to be held in El Salvador later this year. Her predecessor Ona Moody crowned the 22-year-old with a tiara on stage at the AFAS theater in Loisden.

“I did it,” the model said in an Instagram post. — Yes, I’m trans and I want to share my story. And wherever you are in the world, I want to be there for you and be the example that I needed so much when I was little.”

Colle of Dutch and indigenous Moluccan origin from the city of Breda, between Rotterdam and Antwerp. She said she wants to be a voice and role model for young women and queer people.

On the subject: A man burst onto the stage of a beauty contest and broke the crown of the winner: he was angry that his wife got second place

As someone who didn't feel supported after coming out at a young age, she said she wanted to put these stories of suffering behind her.

Colle is not the first transgender woman to compete for the Miss Universe crown. Angela Ponce became the first transgender contestant when she represented Spain in 2018. In the entire history of the competition, transgender participants began to be allowed in 2012.

In recent years, many trans women have competed in the preliminaries. In 2021, former Miss Nevada Cataluna Henriquez became the first trans entrant in the Miss USA pageant. Transgender woman and activist Daniela Arroyo Gonzalez from Puerto Rico will also compete for the Miss USA title.

Thai business mogul Anne Jakrayuthatip, a trans activist who is also transgender, bought the Miss Universe organization last year. She said she is committed to promoting the organization as an inclusive platform and wants to transform the brand for the next generation.

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“I don’t call Miss Universe a beauty pageant anymore,” Jakrayuthatip said. “I call it a women’s empowerment competition.”

Collet has another chance to make history: if she wins the Miss Universe title in December, she will be the first transgender woman to do so.

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