She is ready, more determined than ever. On Monday, November 29, Kataluna Enriquez will be the first transgender woman to compete for the 70e title of Miss USA, which will take place in Tulsa, Oklahoma. An immense pride for this 28-year-old American, and the culmination of a long journey strewn with obstacles. “This participation means a lot to me, she delivers. It allows me to amplify the fights that I wear. I’m not just competing for a title, but also for a chance to change the story and the standards that have kept so many people from becoming what they want. ”
Kataluna Enriquez has already made an impression by unhooking Miss Nevada’s scarf on June 27. Never had a transgender woman reached this level in an American state, entry ticket for the national competition. “History is on the move”, praised the organization of Miss Nevada. “Kataluna represents the best of Nevada, because it is the diversity of our people that is our strength, added the Democratic governor of the state, Steve Sisolak. Nevada could not be prouder of her accomplishments, and we look forward to cheering her on when she represents our state in November. ”
Encouragement that the young woman has not always heard. Originally from the Philippines, Kataluna Enriquez came to the United States at the age of 10 and grew up in San Leandro, California. A youth that she describes as very lonely. “From a young age, I was constantly told, ‘Don’t do that, don’t play that, don’t act like that,’ and I was laughed at, she remembers. I had to live differently, resulting in intimidation and attacks. “ On her presentation sheet for the competition, she confides that she was a victim “Physical and sexual violence”. “I’m not brave, she says today. I do what I do to survive, thrive and be like everyone else. ”
Flag bearer of the LGBTQ + community
The nearly 30-year-old, who lives in Las Vegas, began appearing in transgender beauty pageants in 2015. “When I was younger and I watched this type of competition, I only saw women-objects and hypersexualized, she remembers. Then, I learned to listen to these women, the stories they have to share, and understand that you can define your own beauty. “
It was at this time that, for lack of sufficient income to afford her gala outfits, Kataluna Enriquez took needles and scissors to make clothes corresponding to her figure. With some setbacks that she recounts with a smile, like, in her beginnings, this competition where she was forced to keep her toilet which threatened to make the trunk.
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