SEVILLA-BORN model Ángela Ponce has become the first-ever transsexual Miss Universe Spain winner.
The stunningly-attractive 26-year-old won Miss Cádiz in 2015 and entered Miss World Spain that same year, but was disqualified because the Miss World organisation did not allow transgender women to take part.
She admits her main aim in entering the competition three years ago was to increase visibility of transsexuals in mainstream society since, although statistically only 0.8% of the population, they continue to suffer reactions ranging from discomfort to outright revulsion, and most are reluctant to admit they were born a different sex.
Now, with medical treatment widely available, children 'diagnosed' as transsexual can start hormone medication ahead of puberty and, once they reach 18, can undergo full gender reassignment surgery.
Ángela says she knew she was female when she was three years old, despite being 'born a boy' – in fact, the vast majority of transsexuals are diagnosed as such in earliest childhood after stringent support and assessment procedures through teams of child psychiatrists and other experts in the field.
“It was very difficult back then trying to convince a psychologist that you are who you say you are,” Ángela confessed recently on the Toñi Moreno TV chat show.
And she is thrilled that she has been able to realise her dream of entering legitimately in the Miss Universe Spain competition – even more so to win it, beating another 20 candidates, which now means she will represent her country worldwide.
“I'm not here to preach a message of world peace; I'm here to bring a message of tolerance, respect, inclusion, love for oneself and love for everyone else,” says the model.
Photograph: Miss Universe on Instagram (@orgbemiss)
