Is there any way I could compete without wearing a dress? Plus I think the swimsuit contest is a little degrading.
Student, 19, becomes Miss America's first ever transgender local pageant winner as critics accuse the 'woke' competition of 'allowing opportunities to be stolen away from female contestants'
Brían Nguyen, 19, will now compete in Miss New Hampshire next year
The college student won an undisclosed amount along with her title
Former Miss GB winner Leilani Dowding blasted the 'woke' pageant
By LYDIA HAWKEN and JACQUI DEEVOY , UK DAILY MAIL
EST, 16 November 2022
A student has become Miss America's first ever transgender contestant to win a local pageant - prompting critics to accuse the 'woke' competition of 'allowing opportunities to be stolen away from female contestants'.
Earlier this month, Brían Nguyen, 19, made Miss America history when she became the first transgender woman to win the Miss Greater Derry title.
The Miss Greater Derry Scholarship Program, set up by the Miss America Organisation, welcomes contestants between the ages of 17 and 24 who are judged on their 'their achievements in scholastic, aptitude, talent, character, community service and poise', according to their website.
In April, the business management student will compete against other local title holders to become Miss New Hampshire 2023.
The winner of the state round will then proceed to participate in the wider Miss America pageant later in the year.
However, Miss Great Britain 1998 winner Leilani Dowding said she was disappointed to see Brían win the crown over other contestants.
College student Brían Nguyen, 19, poses with other local Miss America contestants following her landmark win. The aspiring model is the first transgender woman to win a local title
College student Brían Nguyen, 19, poses with other local Miss America contestants following her landmark win. The aspiring model is the first transgender woman to win a local title
Brian pictured on stage moments after being crowned Miss Greater Derry last week. The New Hampshire-based student said there were 'no words' to explain how much the win meant to her
Writing for the Daily Fetched, the 42-year-old said: 'I won the Miss Great Britain competition in 1998 and aside from all the glitz and glamour on the surface, it involved a lot of time and effort.
'Seeing the news that Brían Nguyen won the pageant made me think how I would feel if I was beaten by a large biological male after spending months training and preparing for the contest.
'Winning the competition opened up a world of opportunities to me, a result of being allowed to fairly compete in an era absent of woke ideology. Sadly these young women today are not being given the same chance.'
The former beauty queen went on to accuse the pageant of being 'desperate to appear woke and inclusive' to appeal to younger generations.
Leilani Dowding - who was crowned Miss Great Britain in 1998 - said 'young women are not being the same chance' as she was when transgender contestants are allowed to compete in pageants. Pictured in 2000
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Leilani Dowding - who was crowned Miss Great Britain in 1998 - said 'young women are not being the same chance' as she was when transgender contestants are allowed to compete in pageants. Pictured in 2000
She added: 'Brian Nguyen has just been lucky enough to be born in the right era.'
Continuing her argument on Instagram, Leilani added: 'For the sake of females going forward, we cannot allow this, they don't even realise the opportunity that has been stolen from them by a biological male and it's out of control.'
Meanwhile, GB News host Mark Dolan commented: 'Yes folks, we've reached peak woke - where an in-tact biological man [...] calls himself a woman and beats a group of actual young girls in a female beauty contest.'
The pageant has since removed the information regarding the amount Brían has won through her scholarship from their website.
Celebrating the landmark achievement on her Instagram page, Brían said 'no words' could explain how much the win meant to her.
She wrote: 'In the 100 year history of Miss America, I have officially become the FIRST transgender titleholder within the Miss America Organization.
'No words can describe the feeling of having the opportunity to serve my community and represent my community for the very first time at Miss New Hampshire.
Anita Green, a 29-year-old transgender woman, had her lawsuit against a beauty pageant dismissed on Thursday by a federal judge who ruled that United States of America Miss was not required to allow trans competitors
Anita Green, a 29-year-old transgender woman, had her lawsuit against a beauty pageant dismissed on Thursday by a federal judge who ruled that United States of America Miss was not required to allow trans competitors
Green, a native of Clackamas, Oregon, said that while she was disappointed in the ruling, she was pleased that her lawsuit drew attention to the issue
Green, a native of Clackamas, Oregon, said that while she was disappointed in the ruling, she was pleased that her lawsuit drew attention to the issue
'I am so honored to be crowned your new Miss Greater Derry 2023, and I am thrilled to show you all what I have up my sleeves. This will be an amazing year.'
In a follow-up post, the student explained how she wants to pursue a career in modelling and one day create 'sustainable, ethical, and inclusive products such as clothing, cosmetics, and accessories'.
On top of this, the aspiring Miss America contestant has started a social media initiative using the hashtag #QueensAreEverywhere.
Explaining how she wants to 'make everyone proud', she continued: 'This is a media movement that helps the next generation develop self-confidence, realize their potential, and become the leaders of their destiny.
'This is done by spotlighting members of the community that have faced adversity and teach how they overcame it. I am excited to continue growing this project and expanding it into in-person events and appearances.'
Brían's win comes just one week after the US Court of Appeals allowed rival pageant Miss United States of America LLC to bar transgender women from competing.
In 2019, Anita Green sued Miss USA for banning her from competing in the pageant as she is not a 'natural-born female' - which she claimed violated Oregan state law.
However, the federal court upheld the original ruling in favour of the organisation at the start of this month and cited their First Amendment Rights.
However, not everyone has been so critical of Brían's landmark win - as followers rushed to congratulate her in her latest Instagram post.
One replied: 'Miss New Hampshire better get ready!'
'You’re amazing,' another added. 'Follow your bliss.'
'Beautiful queen inside and out,' a third gushed.
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