- Title: THAILAND-MISS INTERNATIONAL QUEEN Venezuelan beauty wins transgender pageant
- Date: 8th November 2014
- Summary: CONTESTANTS IN EVENING GOWNS STANDING/WALKING ON STAGE CONTESTANTS WALKING
- Embargoed: 23rd November 2014 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Thailand
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAA1V7LKR73Q5R810OIT4EYM3D3
- Story Text: The 'Miss International Queen' pageant is not an average beauty pageant -- all the 21 contestants were born biologically male.
The Thai resort of Pattaya hosted the pageant's 10th edition on Friday (November 7).
Isabella Santiago from Venezuela was crowned the new Miss International Queen, winning 12,200 U.S. dollars in cash, a sash, a bejeweled crown, and free cosmetic surgery.
The 22-year-old could not hold her tears back as she was announced the winner.
"Thank you so much, the organisation, for this contest. I am enjoying every time and now more...thank you so much. Thank you Thailand," Santiago said.
The contestants came from 18 countries in Latin America, Europe and Asia.
One of the judges explained the criteria for rating the contestants.
"For this year's winner is, first, because of her beauty, second, she has good posture, and third, she answered the question with wit. When on stage, she is so elegant and that's why the judges' decision was unanimous. Not one of the judges could refuse to let her become the first," said Seri Wongmontha, a judge on the panel.
For some contestants, the pageant was more than a beauty contest.
Samira Sitara from New York was not just taking part in the event, but also revealing her past to her friends. She said she had never imagined being part of such a contest.
"Think about like doing modelling on stage...every time I was watching Miss Universe, I'm like, uh, maybe next life, you know. But I never thought that today, I have this opportunity and I have this...like I have my dream come true," she told Reuters.
Organisers said the aim of the contest is to raise awareness about transgender rights.
This year's theme was the 'butterfly effect' - to represent how the moving wings of a butterfly can affect the world.
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