LGBTQIA+ Presence in Pageants Sparks Ongoing Debate between Inclusion and Tradition

The increasing presence of LGBTQIA+ community members in beauty pageants is changing long-standing customs within the industry, bringing praise for greater diversity and criticism from those who support tradition. 

Over the past ten years, pageant culture has shifted worldwide due to the inclusion of openly gay, non-binary, and transgender individuals in both mainstream and alternative pageant events. While some see this shift as a step in the right direction towards equality and representation, others question if it aligns with the original intent of gender-specific competitions.

LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Allies. Other identities, such non-binary and pansexual people, are indicated by the + sign. In pageant settings, such communities have been speaking up more and more, challenging traditional ideas of beauty and gender. 

One of the most significant moments took place in 2018 when Spanish competitor Angela Ponce became the first openly transgender person to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. Her entry marked a revolution in mainstream pageantry as she represented her country and a larger call for inclusion on the international stage.

A student in Cape Town expressed major concerns about the competition between people advocating cisgender and those representing the LGBTQIA+ community. “It is not fair, in my opinion. The purpose of pageants is to honour traditional norms of masculinity and femininity. That experience might not be fully represented by someone who wasn't born female," she said.

On the other hand, advocates of inclusiveness argue that pageantry must represent the diversity of modern culture since identity and self-expression have changed. According to them, pageants should emphasise individual ability, character, and the capacity to motivate others rather than biological characteristics. 

LGBTQIA+ community members continue to confront challenges, such as misgendering, internet harassment, and cultural backlash, despite increasing acceptance in some nations. Policies in several countries continue to prevent openly gay people from competing at the national level.

Many LGBTQIA members identify in different ways. For example, Ontiretse Lekwakwe, a member of the community, states that she does not want to be classified as a lesbian, but she is attracted to women, people of the same gender as her. "A category refers to individuals or things that belong to the same class, but straight people and LGBTQIA+ community members do not fall under the same classification, so they cannot compete among themselves. Therefore, I do not believe that LGBTQIA+ community members should compete with straight men and women because they do not identify as the same."

Many organisers must make tough choices regarding representation, eligibility, and how to strike a balance between conflicting social norms as pageants continue to change. While some have kept conventional limits, arguing their identities and audience expectations, others have changed the entry requirements to allow for wider involvement.

It is nevertheless clear that the discussion speaks about bigger issues in society around gender, justice, and growth. Others demand separate places that maintain traditional categories while allowing LGBTQIA+ pageants to thrive on their own, while others ask for a total transformation of pageants as inclusive spaces for all identities.

In an increasingly diverse world, the pageant industry is currently at an important point as it navigates the complicated mix of tradition, inclusivity, and identity.