Angela Ponce was crowned “Miss Spain” and is now the first transgender woman to compete in the Miss Universe pageant.
Fittingly, the theme of the 67th Miss Universe pageant was “Empowered Woman” and this is exactly what the 27-year-old Angela ponce stands for. She rocked a traditional “bade de cola” for her Spanish national outfit and performed a stunning flamenco routine.
Speaking with Today Style, Ponce revealed just what participating in the pageant meant to her as a member of the LGTBQ community.
“None of us are obligated to be here. And for me, it’s a platform to share my voice,” she said. “To me, feminism is freedom to do what you want, when you want to. We cannot put brakes on the freedom of women, on one platform or another.”
In the end, the crown went to the deserving Miss Philippines, Catriona Gray. Nonetheless, the fact that Ponce was able to compete in the huge contest is a big step forward for the LGTB+ community and she looked absolutely incredible while taking a stand for those who follow in her footsteps.
“This is for you, for those who have no visibility, no voice, because we all deserve a world of respect, inclusion, and freedom,” Ponce wrote on Instagram. “And today I am here, proudly representing my nation, all women and human rights.”
