Marina Machete, a 28-year-old flight attendant, has become the first transgender contestant to win the title of Miss Portugal, making history by being eligible to compete in the Miss Universe Portugal competition. Machete celebrated her historic win and expressed her pride in an Instagram post, stating, “For many years I wasn’t eligible to compete, and now it’s such an honor to be a part of this incredible group of candidates.” She will represent Portugal in the upcoming Miss Universe competition in El Salvador.
Machete’s victory adds to a growing trend of transgender contestants competing in international beauty pageants. In July, Rikkie Valerie Kollé made history by becoming the first biological male to win the Miss Netherlands crown, and she will also compete in the Miss Universe competition next month.
However, these historic wins have not been without controversy. Discussions around transgender women competing in beauty pageants have sparked debates on gender identity and inclusion, with some critics expressing concerns about the inclusion of transgender contestants in women’s pageants.
Miss Italy, for example, responded to Kollé’s win by banning biological males from competing in the event, citing its regulations that contestants must be women from birth.
Despite the controversy, transgender contestants like Kollé and Machete see their participation in beauty pageants as a way to represent the LGBTQ+ community and challenge societal norms and perceptions. These historic wins highlight the ongoing dialogue surrounding gender identity, inclusion, and representation in the world of beauty pageants.