Raven+and+Tiare


 * beauty pageant considering on allowing transgender women**: @http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/national_world&id=8616094

__Abstract:__ This article is about transgender women gaining rights to compete in beauty pageants. Since the Miss Universe Organization was created in 1952, it had a rule that contestants had to naturally be born women. Recently, Jenna Talackova was disqualified as Miss Universe Canada, simply because she underwent a sex change four years ago. She was pretty and smart, but since the fact that she used to be a man, she could not compete. Not only is this pointing out their discrimination towards a group in society, but it is also questioning the purpose of these pageants overall. Is it a feminist movement, or is it just another source to add to the stereotypes of women? All the controversy and uproar is now leading up to history in the making, and possibly the acceptance of an unusual but growing population; transgenders.

__Raven’s Response__: Beauty pageants do put an emphasis on looks, but in our society when do we not put emphasis on physical appearances? We all do it, unconsciously or not. At the same time I appreciate everything that beauty pageants stand for. They are great opportunities for young women. They celebrate a woman’s outer and inner beauty. I think beauty pageants have a bad reputation of rating self-centered girls solely on their outer appearances, but I feel this is not the case. I think that transgender people should not be discriminated against and should be allowed to compete in beauty pageants. I think that transgender people should not be discriminated against and should be allowed to compete in beauty pageants. I feel that as long as a person has gotten the operation, they should be allowed to participate. These people just want the same opportunities as other women. Beauty pageants are great ways to promote social issues and break down stereotypes because these competitions are harshly judged and are very popular in the media. The women in these competitions are acknowledged as accomplished women in society and have the opportunity to promote change. Hopefully, everyone will put more effort into making a difference, especially regarding transgender issues.

__Tiare's Response:__ Although I don't really like pageants to begin with, I'm glad that the Miss Universe Organization is changing their policy. Society today is so much more different than what it was like before, especially in terms of rights, and it is only fair that institutions, agencies, and organizations, ect. change their rules accordingly. These pageants are heavily weighed down on judging women's physical appearance, but it also gives the contestants a chance to show their inner strength and intelligence. If Jenna Talackova didn't have to confess that she was born a male, most people would probably not know at all. I don't see why transgenders should be kept from participating, in the end, they're still people who have feeling and opinions. Similar to how women fought for equal rights as men, these transgender men are fighting for equal rights as women.

__Questions__: 1. How do you feel about beauty pageants in general? Do they encourage women and femininity or not? 2. Should beauty pageants allow transgender people compete? Why or why not? 3. How can this situation change views of transgender people in society? Can beauty pageants make a difference and shatter stereotypes?