Angela Ponce, who is 26, made history on Friday when she was crowned Miss Universe in Spain, the first ever transgender woman to hold the title.
She will also be the first transgender woman to represent her country in the Miss Universe beauty pageant.
Taking to Twitter, the model announced her win, while tagging Pride in the post:
Let’s make history♥???????? #Pride2018 #MissUniverseSpain2018 https://t.co/0kyJTREAHf
— Angela Ponce-Official????????????️???? (@angelaponceoff) July 1, 2018
Bringing the name and colors of Spain before the universe is my great dream.
My goal is to be a spokesperson for a message of inclusion, respect and diversity not only for the LGBTQ+ community, but also for the entire world.
In 2012, the Miss Universe competition lifted its ban on transgender contestants after Jenna Talackova of Canada campaigned for inclusion alongside GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation). They lobbied Donald Trump, who owned the competition at the time, to change the rules so that Talackova could compete, and eventually won their case.
Ponce will now go on to represent Spain at this year’s worldwide Miss Universe event in Philippines.
