Trump Once Allowed a Transgender Contestant to Compete in Miss Universe Pageant

BY WILLIAM VAILLANCOURT

When Donald Trump was head of the Miss Universe Organization in 2012, the event received heightened attention because of a debate over whether a transgender individual would be allowed to participate.

Jenna Talackova, a Miss Universe Canada contestant, was born male, underwent gender reassignment surgery at age 19, and in the year of the competition possessed legal documents proving her identity as a woman. Talackova was initially disqualified by officials because of her transgender status.

Trump, however, intervened to reverse the decision, saying she could compete provided that she met the “legal gender recognition” standards of Canada.

On “Good Morning America,” Trump told Katie Couric, “The fact is we went by the laws of the country and the laws are very clear and, based on that, about two days ago, we decided to let her compete.”

Gender standards vary by country, with the Miss U.S. International competition, for instance, requiring that each entrant is a “naturally born genetic female.” Trump had acknowledged that the organization might have to change its policy.

“We'll probably have to open it up ... because if it's in Canada and if it's in the United States, in terms of their laws, and if other countries don't necessarily have those laws, it wouldn't be fair just to take certain countries,” Trump said.

“I think Jenna should focus on running up in Canada and seeing how she does in Canada and then, if she does well, she has a chance to become what many, many young women all over the world want to be and that's Miss Universe,” Trump said. “I hope she does well.”

Trump bought Miss Universe, Inc. in 1996, and sold it in 2015 after his presidential campaign got underway.

http://ijr.com/the-declaration/2017/07/933017-trump-allowed-transgender-contestant-compete-miss-universe-pageant/