Gloria: “Kailangan may Miss Transvestite Universe”
Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz remains firm in her stand that only biological women should be allowed to compete in Miss Universe.
Gloria and her daughter Isabelle Daza graced an interview in GMA-7’s “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda” on Tuesday, February 29, 2024.
During the sit-down conversation, Boy has brought up the change of rules in Miss Universe, which now allows plus-sized candidates, older women, women with kids, and transgender women to participate.
The rule regarding transgender women’s qualification has been in effect for years already—as in 2018, the pageant has witnessed its first ever transgender contenstant, Angela Ponce of Spain.
IMAGE: GMA Network on YouTube
While the organization chose a more inclusive route, Gloria has some reservation over the rule. As she puts it, “Basically, in ordinary words, kailangan transvestite, kailangan may Miss Transvestite Universe.”
“Tomboy, Miss Tomboy Universe. Bakla, transgender, whatever, lahat ng politically correct, kanya-kanya. Sa Miss Universe, dapat Miss Universe.”
Gloria also emphasizes that the modern world is now welcoming more progressive routes—such as women’s decision to go under the knife to enhance their physiques.
She says, “Pero iba na talaga ngayon. Kasi ngayon, dyo-join ka isang beses, medyo natalo ka, makikita mo ang ilong mo, medyo pango, sige, gawin mong maayos. Maliit ang boobs, taasan mo ang boobs.”
While Gloria gives all-out support for such a decision, she says that she would not consider it personally. As she puts it, “Ako, open ako for other people. But not for me. Not for my daughter.”
Gloria consistently draws flak on the internet for her strong promotion of a cisgendered-focused Miss Universe. This is evident in how she insists time and time again that only natural born women are qualified to participate.
In a press conference for the film Lola Magdalena on April 30, 2023, she expressed strong apprehension on the rule, emphasizing that the permission of such calls for a change in the name.
She says, “Di dapat, Universe na lang, huwag nang Miss. Kasi, hindi na Miss yon, ‘di ba?” She even adds, “Pero my personal opinion—which is not to be taken in the negative way—dapat may sarili silang contest. May Mrs. Universe, may Lesbian Universe, may Tranny Universe.”
Isabelle has echoed her mother’s sentiment regarding the issue of inclusivity in Miss Universe.
Taking example from American transgender woman and sports personality Caitlyn Jenner, Isabelle says, “There are some sort of barrier but, of course, inclusivity and equality, I’m all for that.
“I like what Caitlyn Jenner said before. She said that people mistake fighting for equality and fighting for fairness to be the same thing.”
READ ALSO: What Is Transgender Visibility, And Why Is It Very Important In Workplace?
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