26-year-old model Angela Ponce beat out 22 other contestants and took home the title of Miss Universe Spain at the country’s national pageant over the past weekend. She is now set to compete in the Philippines this December, and will be the first openly trans contestant at Miss Universe.
The Miss Universe competition first allowed trans women to compete back in 2012, when Jenna Talackova fought for her right to compete in Miss Universe Canada.
Talackova later made it to the Top 12, and was one of the four contestants to be named “Miss Congeniality.”
It was women’s rights lawyer Gloria Allred who defended her and made legal complaints with the Miss Universe Organization.
