GLAAD and Miss Universe Organization Announce Inclusion of Transgender Women in Its Competitions

The decision to allow Jenna Talackova to compete was determined following discussions made prior to Gloria Allred’s public involvement

GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, and the Miss Universe Organization are announced that after more than two weeks of discussions, the Miss Universe Organization is close to finalizing an official policy change that will allow women who are transgender to participate in its beauty competitions.

GLAAD first contacted the Miss Universe Organization on Saturday, March 24 after news broke that Jenna Talackova was disqualified from the Miss Universe Canada competition. GLAAD called on the Miss Universe Organization to review Jenna’s case, as well as open the competition to transgender women.

After unsuccessful attempts to reach Jenna Talackova personally, the Miss Universe Organization and its owner Donald J. Trump moved forward and announced last week it would allow Jenna to compete. To further demonstrate its commitment, the organization, in consultation with GLAAD, discussed a policy change that includes transgender women in time for the start of this fall’s 2013 pageant season; a time when most of the competitions around the world begin to take place.

“For more than two weeks, the Miss Universe Organization and Mr. Trump made it clear to GLAAD that they were open to making a policy change to include women who are transgender,” said GLAAD spokesperson Herndon Graddick. “We appreciate that he and his team responded swiftly and appropriately. The Miss Universe Organization today follows institutions that have taken a stand against discrimination of transgender women including the Olympics, NCAA, the Girl Scouts of America and The CW’s America’s Next Top Model.

“Jenna and all of the LGBT advocates who have called for this change and spoken out in support of transgender women are to be commended. At a time when transgender people are still routinely denied equal opportunities in housing, employment and medical care, today’s decision is in line with the growing levels of public support for transgender people across the country.”

Adds Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization: “We want to give credit where credit is due, and the decision to include transgender women in our beauty competitions is a result of our ongoing discussions with GLAAD and not Jenna’s legal representation, which if anything delayed the process. We have a long history of supporting equality for all women, and this was something we took very seriously.”

As a result of Jenna’s case, GLAAD has worked with many national media outlets to profile transgender women. Actress, producer and transgender advocate Laverne Cox spoke out about the decision:

“I am so moved and excited that The Miss Universe Organization has sided with justice and equality by not only allowing Jenna to compete, but by also allowing other trans women to compete in the future. No one should have a glass ceiling on their dreams. It is my hope that this moment can begin to highlight other injustices trans people face so that they too may be eradicated.”

Laverne Cox can currently be seen in the film Musical Chairs. She is the first African American trans woman to produce and star in her own television show VH1’s TRANSform Me. She is the first African American trans woman to appear on a reality competition show, VH1’s I Want to Work for Diddy. She is also a regular contributor to the Huffington Post.