In a historical decision that changes the beauty pageant history from now on, the Miss Universe Organization based in New York released the following official statement regarding Jenna Talackova’s participation in the Canada leg of the pageant:
NEW YORK, APRIL 2, 2012: The Miss Universe Organization will allow Jenna Talackova to compete in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada pageant provided she meets the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and the standards established by other international competitions.
The statement, provided by MUO President Paula Shugart and Public Relations director Brenda Mendoza was published at the Beauties of Canada website, organizers of Miss Universe Canada.
Talackova had been barred from the pageant weeks ago due to not complying with a rule set by Miss Universe which stated that only natural born females participated in the pageant.
Jenna Talackova to sue Miss Universe Pageant if rule is not abolished
Talackova and her attorney Gloria Allred hold a news conference in Los Angeles
Allred holds passport of Canadian model Talackova during a news conference in Los AngelesA transexual’s desire to compete in Miss Universe has submerged the 61-year old beauty pageant in its biggest controversy ever. Jenna Talackova and attorney Gloria Allred gave a press conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday to discuss the situation.
The Miss Universe Organization released an official statement on Monday, allowing Talackova to compete in the Canada leg of the competition as long as she provided her country’s legal gender recognition. Allred criticized Trump’s handling of the situation.
“Jenna entered this competition and gave the pageant her time, her best efforts and her money,” Allred said. “She did not think for one moment that what she might have looked like at birth would be relevant. She did not ask Mr. Trump to prove that he is a naturally-born man, or to see the photos of his birth, to view his anatomy, to prove that he was male. It made no difference to her. Why should it have made a difference to him?”
Allred said that the organization’s actions did not go far enough, and she implied that Talackova is considering suing the pageant.
“Mr. Trump’s statement fails to state that the rule that only naturally-born women will be allowed to compete will be eliminated,” Allred said. “Otherwise, we are considering all of Jenna’s legal options.”
Talackova was born male but has identified as female since the age of 4. She began hormone therapy at 14 and underwent gender reassignment surgery at age 19.
“When I was selected as a finalist, I was thrilled. I had always dreamed of being in the Miss Universe competition, and having an opportunity to represent my country, Canada,” she said, adding that she felt “devastated” after being told by pageant officials she could not compete because she was not “naturally born” a woman. “The reason that they gave was unjust.”
“I have never asked for any special consideration. I only wanted to compete,” Talackova continued. “I wish Mr. Trump would just say, in plain words, whether or not I will be allowed to compete and, if I win, whether I will be allowed to represent Canada in the Miss Universe competition.” said Talackova.
Meanwhile, Miss Universe owner Donald Trump lashed back at Allred’s statement, claiming, “I think Gloria would be very very impressed with [my penis].”
Trump also said he wouldn’t apologize for disqualifying Jenna last week from the Miss Universe pageant on the basis of her birth gender — even though he later reversed his position — and added, he “couldn’t care less” if Jenna even competes. People and TMZ
Website TheDirty.com published photos of Talackova's involvement in a bar brawl in Vancouver in 2010,where she and others are shown beating a woman.
Special thanks to GlobalBeauties &
