Miss Trans Global

The pageant was founded by Miss Sahhara, a transgender activist, and beauty queen who was behind Queen of Nations, another pageant for transgender women which has been held in the United Kingdom for the past 13 years.{{Cite web|last=Roberts|first=Monica|date=2007-08-19|title=TransGriot: Queen of Nations Pageant|url=https://transgriot.blogspot.com/2007/08/queen-of-nations-pageant.html|access-date=2021-10-04|website=TransGriot}} According to Sahhara, she and her team thought of holding the 10th edition of Queen of Nations in 2017 online. Instead, they decided to launch a new title which is mainly geared towards transgender advocacy, education, and trans-empowerment through multiple digital platforms. They aimed to create an inclusive and accessible space for all transgender women from diverse backgrounds to express themselves on an international stage without leaving their homes or country.{{Cite web|last=Manipon|first=Roel Hoang|title=First Miss Trans Global is Pinay|website=Daily Tribune|url=https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/09/28/first-miss-trans-global-is-pinay/|access-date=2021-10-05|language=en-US|archive-date=October 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005071456/https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/09/28/first-miss-trans-global-is-pinay/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|last=Roberts|first=Monica|date=2020-07-10|title=TransGriot: Miss Trans Global International Digital Pageant Is Live!|url=https://transgriot.blogspot.com/2020/07/miss-trans-global-international-digital.html|access-date=2021-10-05|website=TransGriot}}

According to Miss Sahhara, "Miss Trans Global was conceived in 2017 but realised during isolation in 2020. Our communities around the world are often either stuck at home with transphobic family members or homeless due to family rejection. Many of us are misunderstood at home and marginalized in society. Also, we have limited earning opportunities. So, we decided to help address some of these issues by engaging our online global community through the Miss Trans Global Digital Pageant".

The organizing team includes Sally Adams, a media and entertainment lawyer, Rica Paras, an information technology professional, and Imanni Da Silva, a model, artist, television presenter, and social activist.

In 2019, transgender pageant winner Anita Green{{Cite journal|last=L. Payne, OSB No. 084392|first=Shenoa|date=December 17, 2019|title=Gender-Identity Discrimination (ORS 659A.403) DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Lawsuit-2.pdf|journal=In the United States District Court|volume=Case 3:19-cv-02048-MO|pages=1–10|via=DISTRICT OF OREGON}}{{Cite web |date=2017-09-07 |title=This Is the First Transgender Woman to Compete in Miss Montana USA |url=http://www.teenvogue.com/story/first-transgender-miss-montana-contestant |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=Teen Vogue |language=en-US}} filed a suit against Miss United States LLC on the grounds of gender identity discrimination. Green entered a franchise of Miss United States after participating in Miss Earth United States,{{Cite web |title=Oregon Anita Green |url=https://www.missearthunitedstates.com/product-page/oregon-anita-green |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=Miss Earth USA |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005080159/https://www.missearthunitedstates.com/product-page/oregon-anita-green |url-status=dead }} but was refused entry because of the competition rule which states that only a 'natural born female' is allowed to participate.{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.unitedstatesofamericapageants.com/about |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=usoapageants |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Beauty Pageant Can Keep Barring Trans Women, Judge Rules |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/beauty-pageant-can-keep-barring-trans-women-judge-rules/ |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=www.courthousenews.com}} A federal court dismissed Green's discrimination case against the pageant.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-26|title=Court Rules Beauty Pageant Has Right to Ban Trans Women From Competing|url=https://www.them.us/story/miss-usa-pageant-transgender-discrimination-ruling|access-date=2021-10-05|website=them.|language=en-US}}

The court filing submitted by Miss United States constantly misgendered Green and used derogatory words to invalidate the complainant's gender identity.{{Cite web|last=López|first=Canela|title=Miss United States of America has won the right to ban trans women from the competition|url=https://www.insider.com/miss-usa-wins-right-to-ban-trans-women-from-competition-2021-3|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Insider|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Holmes|first=Juwan J.|title=Court allows Miss United States of America pageant to exclude transgender women|url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/02/court-allows-trumps-old-miss-usa-pageant-exclude-transgender-woman/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=LGBTQ Nation|date=February 26, 2021 }} Miss United States also says that allowing transgender women to compete in their competition would "undermine its vision" and would undermine their "message of biological female empowerment." John T. Kaempf, the Miss United States pageant's lawyer praised the dismissal of Green's lawsuit, stating that the pageant "is not anti-transgender." "Miss United States wants to be able to hold a pageant that is only for biological females,". He stated that the organization "believes there can be a Miss Black USA pageant, a Miss Native American pageant, or a transgender pageant."{{Cite web|date=2021-02-26|title=Judge rules Miss United States of America can ban trans women – on the same day the Equality Act passed|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/02/26/miss-united-states-america-trans-judge-ban-banned-miss-montana-anita-noelle-green/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=PinkNews |language=en-GB}}

In an interview with KGW, Green said, "I compete in pageantry to show that there are many different types of beauty... To me, that rule was saying that transgender women aren't women, and that sends a very harmful message."{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2020 |title='A very harmful message': Banned for being transgender, Portland woman sues pageant |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/transgender-banned-pageant-lawsuit/283-eb3786e8-5340-4c8d-aa3d-9455a80d0711 |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=kgw.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=An Oregon Woman Is Suing a Beauty Pageant that Excludes Transgender Contestants |url=https://www.wweek.com/news/2019/12/18/an-oregon-woman-is-suing-a-beauty-pageant-that-excludes-transgender-contestants/ |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=Willamette Week |date=December 18, 2019 |language=en}}

Unperturbed by the news of the dismissal of her case, Green said “she is not giving up on her fight for justice for transgender women, and she is very proud of her achievement in raising awareness about the discrimination transgender women face in pageantry”. "This case brought awareness to an issue many people were and still are unaware of," Green told Oregon Live, "and that issue is that discrimination against transgender people is still actively happening in the private and public sector even within the pageant circuit."{{Cite web|last=Bernstein|first=Maxine|date=2021-02-26|title=Judge dismisses transgender woman's suit against Miss United States of America pageant|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2021/02/judge-dismisses-transgender-womans-suit-against-miss-united-states-of-america-pageant.html|access-date=2021-10-05|website=oregonlive|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Judge rules Miss USA can ban trans women from its pageant. On the same day the Equality Act passed the House, no less|url=https://uk.style.yahoo.com/judge-rules-miss-usa-ban-152829685.html|access-date=2021-10-05|website=uk.style.yahoo.com|language=en-GB}}

Some transgender activists have affirmed that the exclusion of transgender women from female-only spaces such as sports, pageants, and bathrooms has necessitated the creation of dedicated spaces for transgender people.{{Cite web|date=2018-02-09|title=Debate over inclusion of trans women in women-only spaces intensifies|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/09/debate-over-inclusion-of-trans-women-in-women-only-spaces-intensifies|access-date=2021-10-05|website=The Guardian|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-09-22|title=Keir Starmer backs 'women-only spaces' in 'specific circumstances', amid Labour row|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/keir-starmer-trans-women-labour-b1924832.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220515/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/keir-starmer-trans-women-labour-b1924832.html |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-05|website=The Independent|language=en}} Others argue that it may foster segregation.

Sociologist and feminist campaigner Finn Mackay stated in an interview with The Guardian, that reducing womanhood to fertility and genitals trivialises the damage done by patriarchy influenced by politics when it comes to sexuality and gender. "They do it for ideological reasons, as part of a campaign for trans exclusion. When people turn round and say: 'This is a dog whistle' – of course it is! Otherwise, why would you be chatting about people's genitals?" Mackay asked.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-05 |title=Finn Mackay: the writer hoping to help end the gender wars |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/05/finn-mackay-the-writer-hoping-to-help-end-the-gender-wars |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}

Miss USA, a franchise of Miss Universe, started allowing transgender women in their pageant in 2012. The pageant's first transgender state representative was Kataluna Enriquez, winner of Miss Nevada USA. Enriquez served as a judge in the first edition of Miss Trans Global.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-29|title=Transgender woman wins Miss Nevada USA pageant, making history|url=https://nypost.com/2021/06/29/transgender-woman-wins-miss-nevada-usa-pageant-making-history/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=New York Post|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Miss Nevada USA becomes first transgender woman to win the pageant|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/miss-nevada-usa-kataluna-enriquez-first-transgender-woman-win-pageant/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=www.cbsnews.com|date=June 30, 2021 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news|title=2021 Miss Nevada Will Be The First Openly Transgender Miss USA Contestant|language=en|work=NPR.org|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/07/03/1012666827/2021-miss-nevada-will-be-the-first-openly-transgender-miss-usa-contestant|access-date=2021-10-05}}

The main premise of Miss Trans Global is to "revolutionize pageantry" by including transgender women in mainstream beauty pageantry, and to raise awareness for trans issues. Many of the contestants are also transgender rights activists.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-02|title=Trans activist calls out toxic masculinity and transphobia in 'Pakboys: Takusa'|url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/12/02/trans-activist-calls-out-toxic-masculinity-and-transphobia-in-pakboys-takusa/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Manila Bulletin|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Corp|first=ABS-CBN|title=In Conversation With Miss Trans Global Philippines' Albiean Revalde and Janlee Dungca|url=https://metro.style/people/society-personalities/miss-trans-global-ph-albiean-revalde-janlee-dungca/30549|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Metro.Style|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Miss Trans Global : Karla Michelle compte sur les votes des Mauriciens|url=https://defimedia.info/miss-trans-global-karla-michelle-compte-sur-les-votes-des-mauriciens|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Le Defi Media Group|language=fr}} Their advocacies are heavily influenced by transphobic violence, including domestic violence, discrimination, and the murders of transgender women globally. An associate of the Miss Trans Global's team, Yunieski Carey Herrera, was murdered by her partner on November 17, 2020, in Miami, Florida.{{Cite web|last=González|first=Yariel Valdés|date=2020-11-18|title=Transgender woman murdered in Miami|url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2020/11/18/transgender-woman-murdered-in-miami/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=HRC Mourns Yunieski Carey Herrera, Trans Latina Killed in Miami|url=https://www.hrc.org/news/hrc-mourns-yunieski-carey-herrera-trans-latina-killed-in-miami|access-date=2021-10-05|website=HRC|date=November 19, 2020 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Transgender Beauty Queen Is Allegedly Stabbed to Death by Husband in Their Miami High-Rise|url=https://people.com/crime/transgender-beauty-queen-stabbed-husband-miami-high-rise/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=PEOPLE.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-11-19|title=Miami Trans Performer Yuni Carey Killed; Partner Charged|url=https://www.advocate.com/crime/2020/11/19/miami-trans-performer-yuni-carey-killed-partner-charged|access-date=2021-10-05|website=www.advocate.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Torres|first=Ian Margol, Andrea|date=2020-11-18|title=Man confesses to killing 'Yuni' Carey in fit of jealous rage, police say|url=https://www.local10.com/news/local/2020/11/18/man-confesses-to-killing-beloved-transgender-woman-at-miami-condo-police-say/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=WPLG|language=en}} She was crowned Miss Trans Global in 2019.

According to the organisation, the top 5 winners of Miss Trans Global work as spokespersons on transgender and LGBT issues worldwide. They claim to work closely with activist organisations such as TransValid, TransBeauty Magazine,{{Cite web|date=2021-01-12|title=Look: Pinay Miss Trans Global graces cover of London-based magazine|url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/12/look-pinay-miss-trans-global-graces-cover-of-london-based-magazine/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Manila Bulletin|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Filipina Miss Trans Global Mela Habijan graces London magazine cover|url=https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/filipina-miss-trans-global-mela-habijan-graces-london-magazine-cover/ar-BB1cHKdY?ocid=PanCafe&li=BBr8Mkn|access-date=2021-10-05|website=www.msn.com}} TransGriot,{{Cite web|last=Roberts|first=Monica|date=2020-09-14|title=TransGriot: The 2020 Miss Trans Global Is.....|url=https://transgriot.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-2020-miss-trans-global-is.html|access-date=2021-10-05|website=TransGriot}} to educate cisgender people and inspire transgender people globally. The organisation started an initiative called 'For Trans Women by Trans Women', where a group of transgender women from different countries come together to raise awareness about issues that affect their local communities.{{Cite web|title=Rappler Talk: Beauty and acceptance with Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan|url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/celebrities/interview-mela-habijan-january-2021|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Rappler|date=January 19, 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-01-12|title=Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan on the cover of Beauty Magazine London|url=https://baguiocityguide.com/miss-trans-global-2020-mela-habijan-on-the-cover-of-beauty-magazine-london/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=BCG|language=en-US}}

The organizers said that Miss Trans Global "is not about a beautiful face and perfect body" but rather "about activism, charity, and intelligence".{{Cite web |last=Pageant |first=Miss Trans Global |date=2020-07-15 |title=FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Miss Trans Global Pageant 2020 |url=https://medium.com/@misstransglobal/for-immediate-release-miss-trans-global-pageant-2020-be7a6c7f97fa |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=Medium |language=en}}

The pageant says the winners will serve as spokespeople "and work digitally to influence positive changes in our community internationally."{{Cite web|date=2021-05-21|title=Abante, babae: Mela Habijan leads the charge|url=https://thelasallian.com/2021/05/21/abante-babae-mela-habijan-leads-the-charge/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=The LaSallian|language=en-US}}

The pageant considers itself as a digital and physical space for transgender women from different backgrounds who are driven through activism to highlight the plight of LGBT people in their various countries. The participants share their lived experiences through the use of digital content production and publishing through the guidance of the organisation.{{Cite web|last=Quadra|first=Margo Hannah De Guzman|date=2021-01-13|title=Filipina Miss Trans Global Mela Habijan graces London magazine cover|url=https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/filipina-miss-trans-global-mela-habijan-graces-london-magazine-cover/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Good News Pilipinas|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=#20 - Mela Habijan {{!}} Miss Trans Global 2020, Writer, Actress, LGBTQIA+ Advocate {{!}} I am a product of courage|url=https://www.awkwardturtlepod.page/20-mela-habijan-miss-trans/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Awkward Turtle At Work with Emery Fung|language=en|archive-date=December 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203011725/https://www.awkwardturtlepod.page/20-mela-habijan-miss-trans/|url-status=usurped}}{{Citation|last=Habijan|first=Mela|title=Ambiguity of Normalcy|date=2021-04-29|url=https://www.ted.com/talks/mela_habijan_ambiguity_of_normalcy|language=en|access-date=2021-10-05}}{{Cite web|title=Meet Albiean Revalde, Miss Trans Global Philippines 2021|url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/pageants/meet-albiean-revalde-miss-trans-global-philippines-2021|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Rappler|date=June 7, 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-11-20|title=Husband of trans performer Yuni Carey charged with stabbing her to death|url=https://www.metroweekly.com/2020/11/husband-of-trans-performer-yuni-carey-charged-with-stabbing-her-to-death-in-their-miami-apartment/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Metro Weekly|language=en-US}}

File:The_Empowered_Queen_Crown_Right_Side.jpg

The organisers of the competition described it as "the future of international trans pageantry", because of its accessibility and ease of participation. The contestants execute the various tasks at home and submit videos to the judges. The winners are selected based on the scores given by the judges.

Contestants are given a creative challenge once a week. They film and produce a submission video in accordance with the rules and guidelines stipulated by the pageant directors. The judges then review their performances and score the contestants accordingly.

The judges are seasoned female transgender activists and pageant queens who have fought for transgender rights in their various countries.{{Cite web |title=Judges |url=https://misstransglobal.com/judges/ |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=Miss Trans Global™ |language=en-GB |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208182023/https://misstransglobal.com/judges/ |url-status=dead }}

Miss Trans Global and its runner-up titles, namely:

• Queen Global, Miss Trans Global
• Queen Diamond, Miss Trans Global Diamond
• Queen Sapphire, Miss Trans Global Sapphire
• First Princess Global, Continental Queen
• Second Princess Global, Continental Queen

The organisation's definition of a queen is a transgender woman who uses their voice for the voiceless and someone who marries the ambition of helping marginalised transgender community that are often discriminated against due to misconceptions.

The inaugural competition, which took place on September 12, 2020, focused on transgender people suffering in isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It included participants from countries around the world. Miss Mela Franco Habijan from the Philippines became the first ever winner of the competition, in a coronation ceremony streamed live on YouTube and Facebook.

The pageant's inaugural judges were:

• Monica Roberts, a notable transgender rights advocate and journalist in the United States who died on October 5, 2020{{Cite web|last=Roberts|first=Monica|date=2020-09-14|title=TransGriot: The 2020 Miss Trans Global Is.....|url=https://transgriot.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-2020-miss-trans-global-is.html|access-date=2021-10-05|website=TransGriot}}
• Candi Stratton, a flight attendant, beauty queen, and transgender rights advocate
• Michelle Ross, founder-director of CliniQ Counselling and Wellbeing
• Kataluna Enriquez, Miss Nevada USA and fashion designer{{Cite web |date=2021-06-29 |title=Miss Nevada to become first-ever openly trans Miss USA contestant after clinching stunning victory |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/06/29/miss-nevada-usa-contestant-trans-kataluna-enriquez/ |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=PinkNews |language=en-GB}}
• Victoria Maxima Caram, Miss Trans Star International executive director
• Amanda Uzoma McQueens, founder of Friends in Diaspora for Friends in Africa

File:1 Queen Kevhoney Scarlett’s first official photoshoot as Miss Trans Global 2024 wearing the Empowered Queen Crown. Picture commissioned by Miss Trans Global by Susan ObehiNoir. 05.jpg|alt=Marchioness Global 2020Veso Golden|Miss Trans Global 2024
Kevhoney Scarlett
{{flag|France}}

File:Piano Sarocha Akaraos Miss Trans Global 2023 Winner - 04.jpg|alt=Duchess Global 2020Rebeckah Loveday|Miss Trans Global 2023
Piano Sarocha Akaros
{{flag|Thailand}}

File:Natasha Cardoso Miss Trans Global 2022 from Brazil wearing the Empowered Queen Crown 02.jpg|alt=Countess Global 2020Semakaleng Sma Mothapo|Miss Trans Global 2022
Natasha Cardoso
{{flag|Brazil}}

File:Queen Sruthy Sithara Miss Trans Global 2021 01.jpg|alt=|Miss Trans Global 2021
Sruthy Sithara
{{flag|India}}

File:Trans Global 2020 Official Photoshhot.jpg|alt=|Miss Trans Global 2020
Mela Franco Habijan
{{flag|Philippines}}

File:Queen Sruthy Sithara Miss Trans Global 2021 06.jpg|alt=|Miss Trans Global 2021
Sruthy Sithara
{{flag|India}}

File:Albiean Revalde, Duchess Global 2021 01.jpg|alt=|Duchess Global 2021
Albiean Revalde
{{flag|Philippines}}

File:Viviana Santibanez, Marchioness Global02.jpg|alt=|Marchioness Global 2021
Viviana Santibanez
{{flag|Canada}}

File:Countess Global headshot 4.jpg|alt=|Countess Global 2021
Fazelyn Jaafar
{{flag|Malaysia}}

File:Karla Michelle-Delprado, Baroness Global 2021 02.jpg|alt=|Baroness Global 2021
Karla Michelle-Delprado
{{flag|Mauritius}}

File:Trans Global 2020 Official Photoshhot.jpg|alt=Miss Trans Global 2020Mela Franco Habijan|Miss Trans Global 2020
Mela Franco Habijan
{{flag|Philippines}}

File:Rebeckah Loveday.png|alt=Duchess Global 2020Rebeckah Loveday|Duchess Global 2020
Rebeckah Loveday
{{flag|Australia}}

File:Veso Golden, Marchioness Global 2020-4.jpg|alt=Marchioness Global 2020Veso Golden|Marchioness Global 2020
Veso Golden
{{flag|Ghana}}

File:Semakaleng Sma Mothapo, Countess Global 2020.jpg|alt=Countess Global 2020Semakaleng Sma Mothapo|Countess Global 2020
Semakaleng Sma Mothapo
{{flag|South Africa}}

File:Danielly Drugge, Baroness Global 2020-5.jpg|alt=Baroness Global 2020Danielly Drugge|Baroness Global 2020
Danielly Drugge
{{flag|Sweden}}

• List of beauty contests
• Miss Trans Star International
• Miss Continental
• Miss T World
• Super Sireyna Worldwide
• Miss Trans Israel
• Miss Trans Albania

{{reflist|2}}

Category:Beauty pageants

Category:Transgender beauty pageants

Category:Recurring events established in 2020

Category:LGBTQ events in the United Kingdom

Category:Virtual events

Category:LGBTQ beauty pageants

Category:2020 establishments in England