Jenna Talackova allowed back in Miss Universe competition

[Ian David]

Source: Ottowa Citizen

VANCOUVER — Beauty queen Jenna Talackova, who was kicked out the Miss Universe Canada competition last month, will be allowed to compete after all, the organization announced Monday — if she can prove she meets the "legal gender recognition requirements of Canada" and other international competitions.

The brief statement issued by the organization did not specify what such requirements entail.

Talackova, 23, was dropped from the pageant two weeks ago "because I am not 'natural born,' " the Vancouver native wrote in an email to the Vancouver Sun at the time. "That doesn't make sense because since I was conscious I always felt this way."

<snip>

Talackova says she has known she was a female since she was four years old. She began hormone therapy at 14 and had sex reassignment surgery in 2010.


Trump Won’t Bar Transsexual Beauty Queen From Shot at Miss Universe Canada Title
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/04/trump-wont-bar-transsexual-beauty-queen-from-shot-at-miss-universe-canada-title/



Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Jenna+Talackova+allowed+back+Miss+Universe+competition/6400095/story.html

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Jenna Talackova, Transgender Miss Universe Canada Finalist, Defended By Bill O'Reilly

A transgender beauty queen who made international headlines after being disqualified from the Miss Universe Canada pageant has found an unlikely supporter.

As Think Progress is reporting, conservative commentator Bill O'Reilly spoke out in defense of Jenna Talackova on Fox News last week.

Asked O'Reilly: "What right does the Miss Universe pageant have to violate this lady’s right to be a woman? They are basically saying because you weren’t born a woman you don’t have a right to be a woman..[it] doesn’t sound right to me."

More:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/02/jenna-talackova-transgender-miss-universe-bill-oreilly_n_1397535.html



GLAAD Is Working with Miss Universe Organization on Inclusion for Transgender Women

GLAAD responded to the Miss Universe Organization's decision to allow a transgender contestant to compete after she was disqualified from the Miss Universe Canada competition last month.

GLAAD contacted the Miss Universe Organization last week after Jenna Talackova was disqualified and called on the Miss Universe Organization to review Jenna's situation, as well as open the competition to transgender women.

The Miss Universe Organization said in a statement tonight:

“The Miss Universe Organization will allow Jenna Talackova to compete in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada pageant provided she meets the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and the standards established by other international competitions.”

GLAAD will continue working with The Miss Universe Organization to review current policies and update for full inclusion of transgender women.

More:
http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-working-miss-universe-organization-inclusion-transgender-women

[Voice for Peace]

1. this is good news

but doesn't she look a lot like Ivanka Trump? Can you tell which is which?

[Ian David]

3. OMG... you're right. This is huge. HyUuUUUuuge. n/t

[Voice for Peace]

4. lolol! but I wouldn't want to speculate

and project such a horror on such a brave young woman.
It's just peculiar that Trump and O'Reilly are speaking up.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

7. Was the issue that she was transgendered, or that she had surgeries to look good? nt

[Voice for Peace]

10. I think this is a rhetorical question and a good one.

thanks

[Sarah Ibarruri]

15. I know that in Venezuela, the epicenter of beauty contests...

they actually REQUIRE the contestants to have surgery of all types. In fact, it's a whole industry. However, I think that Miss America doesn't allow surgeries. Or didn't. Or doesn't. I do know they have to sign contracts to participate.

[Myrina]

20. What am I missing?

It says she had 'gender reassignment' surgery. Not a facelift/boob job.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

23. Yes, but I'm old enough to remember that no surgeries that change looks were permitted in contests

I don't know if that's still the case. I do recall issues with Miss Americas that had some work on their face - a nose job and other things. They weren't supposed to change anything about their look - anything.

That's why I asked this.

[Posteritatis]

26. I imagine the latter is the objection used en lieu of the former. (nt)

[Sarah Ibarruri]

27. I was under the impression (maybe it's my imagination) that surgeries were allowed in Miss Universe

In which case they would have no option but to permit anyone who has had face-and-body changing surgeries to participate.

[Posteritatis]

28. It's more about excuses than reasons, I think. (nt)

[Sarah Ibarruri]

29. Yes indeed - lots and lots of hypocrisy. nt

[wordpix]

11. she does look like Ivanka. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

[Voice for Peace]

14. I discarded my first thought because it was too awful.

Perhaps she had surgery and modeled herself after Ivanka, and Trump likes her because she reminds him of his beautiful daughter, and O'Reilly, I just can't figure that one out.

[William769]

2. A very big recommend!

[Grassy Knoll]

5. Of Coarse They Let Her Back In..

..Because of all the media hype and negative press, They just
wont vote for her to win, unfortunately.

[Ian David]

6. It's ratings gold. n/t

[sarcasmo]

8. Beautiful, hope she does well.

[Ian David]

9. Me too. But either way, I bet she's going to be on a season of Celebrity Apprentice. n/t

[wordpix]

12. lol, Billo's sticking up for LGBTs on Faux News---RW heads are exploding

[Ian David]

13. If you watch the tape, it isn't exactly unequivocal and wholehearted. n/t

[Skittles]

16. she's lovely but

those women look very thin

[davidthegnome]

17. Agreed

Those arms look almost skeletal. It's sad that our society is so obsessed with appearance that many of these women put their health at risk for these competitions.

[RitchieRich]

18. Agreed

I'm glad to see others pointing this out. It seems that a silly contest is wildly less important than our entire nation worshiping the mandatory dehumanization of women.

Interesting though... does it mean equality has been achieved when she is just as afflicted by self mutilation? -I am referring to the starvation issue, not the gender issue.

[arely staircase]

30. thats why i have mixed feelings

I applaud this beautiful transgendered woman for standing up for herself. Yet I find the whole beauty pageant business demeaning of her and the rest of the participants. And yes they all look too skinny because they have to project an idealized female image.

[Myrina]

19. Very good, but you know Trump's only doing it for viewer-ratings.

He doesn't have a 'do the right thing' bone in his chubby spray-tanned old body. This is all about piquing media interest and getting coverage for his 'pageant'.

[Poll_Blind]

21. Awesome! _NOW_ I can be safely outraged at her exploitation! nt

PB

[Ian David]

22. There is that. n/t

[Blasphemer]

24. Gloria Allred to the rescue

She may be an attention seeking celebrity ambulance chaser but she does get results. Apparently, the reports of a rule violation were false. Good luck to Ms. Talackova!

[Typical NYC Lib]

25. Good for her!