As the music began to play, the darkened stage was illuminated by spotlights. One-by-one, the light unveiled and welcomed the return of several beauty queens who were once crowned in this very same venue.
Last Saturday, we saw the joyous reunion of Miss International Queen's (MIQ) past title-holders as they took the stage of Tiffany's Show Theatre in a rare group performance to celebrate the pageant's 15th anniversary. Founded in 2004, the Pattaya-based MIQ is hailed as the most prestigious international pageant for transgender women. Hundreds of beauty queens from around the world have stepped onto its stage and have left as stars and legends in their own right.
This year, a new generation of 21 international beauty queens participated in the contest. Despite the Covid-19 scare making the otherwise sold-out show a more quiet affair, everyone was in high spirits and didn't fail to impress the judges and audience with their beauty and wit. As the night concluded, Valentina Fluchaire from Mexico emerged as the victor, with Ruethaipreeya Nuanglee from Thailand, and Ariella Moura from Brazil as the runners-up.
THE VERY FIRST QUEEN
Before becoming the household name it is today, MIQ was an unknown event exploring uncharted territory during its inaugural year. The competition's first winner was Thailand's own Treechada "Poyd" Petcharat, who returned for the 15th anniversary reunion.
"This pageant opened up my world," said Treechada. She was 19 at the time and previously won the title of Miss Tiffany's Universe in the same year.
MIQ 2020's Top 3: Winner Valentina Fluchaire, centre, with first runner-up Ruethaipreeya Nuanglee, left, and second runner-up Ariella Moura. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)
Jazell Barbie Royale, Miss International Queen 2019. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)
"I got to meet people from around the world and learnt about their attitudes and beliefs. Many came from different religions, cultures, careers and political systems. Some of the contestants were from a place that was extremely open, while others came from somewhere that wasn't open at all. It then became an exchange. I was just 19 and it was a rare opportunity to be able to take part in that," said Treechada.
Growing up, Treechada has watched how society has progressed in its stance towards transgender people, which she perceives to have changed in phases. There were days when the transgender community was seen as strange and comedic but that gave way to the point when their beauty and appearance was recognised.
"In recent years, I think society has been talking less about beauty and more about the diversity of transgender people's career. We have transgender people working as doctors, teachers and politicians. And today, we're more into diversity than ever before. In a sense, it's been blended in," she said.
However, transgender men and women in Thailand still face discrimination and challenges in several aspects. Activists continue to call for their legal rights such as a title change and gender recognition law, both of which have yet to come to fruition.
"I think everything is a process and it's probably progressing in the right direction," said Treechada.
ACHIEVING INTERNATIONAL DREAMS
MIQ greatly affects its Thai winners, but perhaps the impact is even more pronounced and life-changing for its international title-holders, with many returning to their respective home countries as superstars.
Often, winning means increased levels of visibility, which brings about opportunities in the form of fame and work. For 2009 winner Ai Haruna -- who used to be a singer on game shows, her life in Japan changed as she began appearing in newspapers and gained more visibility to share her story in a society where discrimination still persists.
Ai Haruna.
Treechada Petcharat is pictured during her performance.
"The path you choose isn't wrong. This is something I feel strongly about and really understood better after my time in the pageant," said Haruna via an interpreter.
Haruna's successor, Mini Han from South Korea, was also there to celebrate her milestone. This year marks exactly one decade since she won the pageant in 2010, which she said transformed her life and career. She now co-owns a successful gay club in Seoul called Trunk, which has been in operation for almost three years.
Han revealed that many did look down on her and didn't believe she would win the competition 10 years ago. However, when she was crowned, it was a slap to her haters.
"I'm finally happy," said Han. "Winning MIQ gave me the confidence to be proud."
Being a transgender woman in Korea wasn't easy, she continued.
"Koreans think a man is a man, and a woman is a woman. So why are we going the opposite way? The society wasn't open. People didn't know much about trans. Before, we had, like, only one singer who came out. There was no one else in the media.
Representing Sweden, Vicky Tran brought the unicorn along as her national costume. (Photo: Melalin Mahavongtrakul)
US contestant Kayley Whalen practises waving her flag backstage before the show. (Photo: Melalin Mahavongtrakul)
Contestants show off their national costumes. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)
Aliya Sirisopha from Laos inside the dressing room. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)
"Now, we have seen a lot of change. More people are coming out and not just those working in nightlife. Many have their own businesses and some have also become YouTubers. People are going to universities. We can also change our gender on our passport. I changed mine, too. More information is also available about transgender people," said Han who's an active member within her local LGBTI community.
For the competition's 2012 winner, Kevin Balot from the Philippines, she shared a similar story about how her crown allowed her to get more jobs. She's active on social media and also has her own business.
Balot defines her country as a place that is "not totally accepting, but tolerant" of LGBTI and that community has found it hard to speak out. That has since improved and the most prominent change in her country towards the transgender community has been in terms of employment.
"Before, it was really hard. People just thought transgender people can't work in the same way that men and women can," said Balot. That changed last year when Cebu Pacific airline hired Jess Labares, its first trans woman flight attendant. Labares also represented the Philippines at this year's MIQ, making it to the Top 6, as well as being named Miss Photogenic by members of the press.
Balot views beauty pageants as a form for advocacy -- one with a huge impact.
"It enables transgender women to express ourselves, giving us a voice and opportunities," she said. "It's 2020 already. Don't be afraid to express yourself."
CONTINUING THE LEGACY
In recent years, beauty pageants around the world have increasingly dedicated its focus to female empowerment and advocacy for many causes. MIQ, too, has progressed with this trend. While beauty remains an important factor, Treechada believes that the pageant is also seeking a "social changer" who can create a positive impact, not only for LGBTI people, but also for fellow human beings.
A good example would be last year's winner Jazell Barbie Royale, an American activist who passionately advocated for the importance of HIV testing and the use of PrEP and PEP. She was also the first black trans woman to win the MIQ.
"I'm not saying that all LGBTI people have to get into social work," Treechada said. "Still, I believe that all trans people have the ability to bring about social change. Many have passed through similar experiences in life, having to first change the attitude of people closest to them. In the future, they'll go on to change beliefs even bigger than ones they've known."
Putting on the finishing touch before going on stage. (Photo: Melalin Mahavongtrakul)
Continuing this 15-year legacy and taking it into a new chapter is Valentina Fluchaire, the latest queen to join the growing list of MIQ royalties. The 25-year-old Mexican beauty queen is a model and also operates her family's restaurant. She previously won Miss Trans Nacional Mexico 2019.
Moments after her win in this year's competition, Fluchaire said she was full of joy, and that she will be open to do her best with whatever opportunities that come her way as the new Miss International Queen. She also aims to use this platform to advocate for the rights of migrant Latina women in the US and to continue her support for the children cancer hospital in Mexico.
"This is for my little angels," said Fluchaire. "I have big shoes to fill. Jazell [last year's winner] did such a great job and I hope to continue this in my style. I'll put my essence and my true self in it. I'm going to be unstoppable."
