As the three ladies in gowns strutted our way, people stopped mid-stride just to gaze at their beauty. It was not difficult to be transfixed by their charm. In a green dress -- and wearing a glittering crown -- Trixie Maristela, 29, led the way for the trio. She recently won the Miss International Queen 2015 beauty pageant.
Trixie Maristela, centre, from the Philippines won Miss International Queen 2015. The runner-ups were Valesca Dominik Ferraz from Brazil, left, and Sopida Siriwattananukoon from Thailand.
This year, 27 transwomen from 17 countries went through to the final stages in the world's largest trans beauty contest. After going through a weeklong beauty camp in Pattaya, Udon Thani, and Bangkok, the grand final was held at Tiffany's Show Theatre in Pattaya on Nov 6 where Maristela -- a business analyst from Manila, Philippines -- won this year's title.
- VIDEO: Interview with beauty queen
Runner-up was Valesca Dominik Ferraz from Brazil. Ferraz, 23, was the only black contestant at this year's pageant. She won Miss T Brazil in 2014.
Third was none other than Thailand's own Sopida Siriwattananukoon, who was previously crowned Miss Tiffany Universe 2015. Sopida, 23, also won Miss Ripley's Popular Vote this year.
Life chatted with the three trans beauty queens during their visit to the Bangkok Post's offices last week.
How does it feel to win the Miss International Queen crown this year?
TM: At first, I was overwhelmed and amazed. I know this is going to change my life. I will have a lot of opportunities that will be given to me by being Miss International Queen. At the same time, I feel a little bit sad [that it's over] because I enjoyed the bonding moments with other contestants.
What is it like to be a transwoman in each of your countries?
TM: Although you still hear stories of gender discrimination, we have a lot of doors opening right now. We also have a lot of local beauty pageants.
Politically, there's a lack of legal recognition. In the Philippines, you still can't change your gender to female. So, even though we may look like real women, our papers still say "male". And we're not allowed to get married to the person that we love, which is similar to here in Thailand. At the very least, we are able to express ourselves. And we can dress up as the person that we identify with.
VDF: Things are not too open in Brazil. But, at the same time, it's definitely getting better. People are more accepting towards the trans community. There are certainly more opportunities now.
SS: Compared to other countries, I think Thailand is more accepting towards transgenders. Some Thais remain unaccepting towards us, but I think that also depends on our actions. We have to act and behave well, or society would never be open to us.
I'll graduate next year. My university doesn't allow transwomen to wear female uniforms for graduation. We have to dress according to our birth gender. But, at least, we can wear female uniforms to class.
What kind of prejudice have you faced being a trans?
VDF: I've been faced by so much prejudice being the only black contestant this year. It comes from both causes, really. Some people can be racist, and look down on me because of my skin colour. And because I'm also a transwoman, I think things are all the more intensified.
SS: People view that trans have to be dramatic and outgoing. That's the image we're painted with. Society looks to us for a laugh. We're not a laughing stock or clowns. We are just people who want to make others happy.
What's your plan now that the Miss International Queen 2015 pageant is over?
TM: I plan to improve the image of transgender women, not only in Thailand and the Philippines, but in the entire world. I want to show everyone that we are educated, and more than just beautiful. We have golden hearts. We are beautiful inside and out.
VDF: I joined this competition because I want people to know that I can do it. I also want to help promote our trans community. I want us to have a place to stand proud in society.
SS: For us to be chosen in the final three, it's not just on a national level anymore. We're international. And we should set a good example for the younger generations of transwomen.
Miss International Queen will present 'Inside Out', a photo exhibition by renowned photographer Chaiyasith Junjuerdee, which will showcase images that Chaiyasith has captured during this year's pageant. The exhibition will be on display from Nov 20-22 at EmQuartier. Visit oat-chaiyasith.com or missinternationalqueen.com.
