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Pageant Winner Becomes First Transgender Woman To Compete In Miss USA

Pageant Winner Becomes First Transgender Woman To Compete In Miss USA

Kataluna Enriquez was crowned Miss Nevada at the weekend

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A US pageant winner will become the first transgender woman to compete in Miss USA.

Kataluna Enriquez, 27, was crowned Miss Nevada on Sunday and will now go onto the final that is being held on 29 November in Oklahoma.

Enrique beat 21 contestants to be named Miss Nevada at the event at Las Vegas' South Point Hotel Casino and made history in the process.

Enrique used the competition's question and answer segment to talk about how she was proud of what made her different and unique.

She told the judges: "Today I am a proud transgender woman of colour.

"Personally, I've learned that my differences do not make me less than, it makes me more than.

"I know that my uniqueness will take me to all my destinations, and whatever I need to go through in life."

For the ballgown round, Enrique opted for a sequined rainbow coloured gown she'd made herself to mark Pride.

Sharing a snap of herself in her dress, Enrique wrote: "Gown made by me @katalunakouture. In honour of pride month, and all of those who don't get a chance to spread their colours."

In an Instagram post following her win, Enriquez said: "Huge thank you to everyone who supported me from day one.

"My community, you are always in my heart. My win is our win. We just made history. Happy pride."

In an interview with KVVU, Enrique said she'd 'struggled' in her earlier life but is now able to 'thrive' and be a trailblazer.

She told the news outlet: "I didn't have the easiest journey in life. It was a struggle for a moment. I struggled with physical and sexual abuse. I struggled with mental health. I didn't have much growing up. I didn't have support.

"But I'm still able to thrive, and I'm still able to survive and become a trailblazer for many."

She added: "Don't let your differences determine what you're capable of.

"Your differences is anything what makes you unique [sic], and you are capable of anything as long as you believe in yourself."

The official Miss Nevada USA Instagram account congratulated Enrique on her 'historical win'.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Kataluna Enriquez

Topics: Pride, LGBT, US News