It is an event designed to celebrate the country's most
beautiful women.
But next year's Miss Universe Singapore could be won by somebody
born a man, after organisers revealed that they are considering
accepting contestants who have had a sex change.
A spokesman for Derrol Stepenny Promotions, which runs the
Republic's edition of the international beauty pageant, said it is
waiting for instructions on the move from the parent
organisation.
News of the impending change drew mixed reactions from
Singaporeans, with some saying that it would make the competition
more relevant and others warning that transgender contestants might
have an unfair advantage because they would definitely have gone
under the knife.
Traditionally, only natural-born women aged between 18 and 27
are allowed to compete in the contest, which is co-owned by United
States real estate mogul Donald Trump and television network NBC.
Hopefuls compete in national editions before taking part in an
international pageant.
Organisers of the global edition said earlier this month that
they were working on the language of the official rule change and
would announce it soon.
It is not clear whether contestants who have undergone a sex
change would have to declare their status.
The policy change comes on the back of an international outcry
after a Canadian transgender woman was disqualified from her
country's competition last month.
Ms Jenna Talackova, 23, was eventually allowed to return to the
contest after she hinted she would file a discrimination lawsuit
against the organisers.
Organisers of the Republic's other major beauty pageant, Miss
Singapore World, said they were not aware of any similar plans to
change the rules.
Mr Lionnel Lim, a fashion publicist who has worked with
transgender models, said the move would improve the battered image
of beauty pageants here. The industry has been plagued by
accusations of sleaze behind the scenes and sinking popularity in
recent years.
'Having transgendered contestants would make the competition
more socially conscious,' said Mr Lim.
Transgender people who spoke to The Straits Times also lauded
the move, saying it would add to the Government's goal of building
a more inclusive society.
'Of course, I would rather have a transgendered Member of
Parliament than a beauty contestant, but it's a step in the right
direction,' said public relations consultant Leona Lo, 36.
Student Marla Bendini, 26, said transgender contestants could
lead to a more positive representation of the community in
society.
'A few weeks ago I was approached by a television crew to play a
transsexual sex worker who had fallen to her death out of a hotel
room,' she said.
'There's a fascination with transgendered people but we tend to
be portrayed in a negative light.'
But both women added that few among them are likely to step
forward. 'Transsexuals have to deal with discrimination in the
workplace, in society and even from their families,' said Ms Lo.
'Joining a beauty pageant is likely to be the last thing on their
minds.'
Last year's Miss Universe Singapore, 26-year-old Valerie Lim,
added that transgender contestants might benefit unduly from having
gone under the knife. While cosmetic surgery is not prohibited in
the contest, 'the international organisers could help by providing
guidelines as to how much reconstruction is allowed', she said.
But she added that the move would benefit the Republic. 'The
competition is also about personality and conduct. I think having
transgender contestants would widen people's minds.'
Engineer Leslie Wong, 29, said the rule change was unlikely to
alienate fans of the competition. 'If you're in a beauty pageant,
you probably look like a beautiful woman,' he said. 'I'm not sure I
would even be able to tell who is transgendered.'
Ms Bendini said society should also make room for pre-operative
transsexuals, but the rule change was a good first step. 'It's a
beauty pageant, not a glorification of genitals,' she said.
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