In a historic first, trans contestant Bella Bautista will soon compete in the 2025 Miss Georgia USA pageant. Her participation marks a significant moment for transgender visibility in mainstream beauty pageants, an arena that has long been defined by traditional standards of femininity.
“I’m happy that it’s me because I know that I’m gonna present something good on stage,” Bautista, the reigning Miss Buckhead USA, told LGBTQ Nation, “and I know deep inside, I’m going to put my all into this pageant and bring the best representation,”
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“Fight for your rights,” Diana Portillo says. “And do not allow anybody to humiliate you.”
Beauty pageants have historically excluded transgender women, reinforcing a narrow definition of womanhood. Competitions like Miss International Queen and Miss Trans Global provide dedicated platforms for transgender women, but mainstream inclusion remains a challenge.
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The Miss Universe Organization’s 2012 decision to allow transgender contestants was a turning point, leading to greater, albeit gradual, inclusion in national competitions (the Miss Universe pageant featured two transgender contestants for the first time in 2024). Kataluna Enriquez’s participation in Miss USA 2021 as the first openly transgender woman to compete on that stage also signaled progress.
Twenty-two-year-old Bautista is not only a beauty queen but also a vocal advocate for transgender rights. She has used her platform and connections to state lawmakers to speak out against anti-trans legislation, particularly laws targeting trans athletes (she’s a former collegiate cheerleader). Recently, she testified before the Georgia Senate against proposed restrictions on transgender girls in sports. “Strutting through The Georgia Capitol with purpose,” she wrote on social media. “My existence is not up for debate.”
Bautista’s work also extends to community engagement. She’s an intern at The Global Trans Equity Project and the founder of “This Doesn’t Define Me,” an initiative aimed at empowering transgender women and youth. Her participation in Miss Georgia USA is not just a personal milestone but part of a broader movement pushing for inclusivity in spaces historically reserved for cisgender women and pushing back against stereotypes that pigeonhole trans women and disingenuously portray them.
“What I’m most afraid of right now is being painted as the ‘token trans,’ which I refuse to be limited to,” Bautista said. “This has even had an impact on finding sponsors. It’s weird because, as trans people, our brand quickly and, rather unfortunately, I think, becomes being trans, and some people are gonna be all for that, but others are gonna be against it. Ultimately, I am so much more than just trans, and I want to express that we are multi-faceted people.”
Pageantry is more than a showcase of beauty—it is a cultural platform that shapes the public perception of femininity and womanhood. Bautista’s participation challenges outdated norms and reinforces the idea that transgender women belong in these spaces. Representation in media and public platforms plays a pivotal role in shaping social attitudes. For transgender individuals, visibility can combat stereotypes, reduce prejudice, and provide role models for those navigating their identities.
“When I was younger, I never imagined seeing someone like me in these spaces, let alone being that person,” Bautista said. “I hope my story helps girls, both cisgender and transgender, know that they are just as worthy and beautiful as anyone else. Pageants should reflect the diversity of real women, and that includes trans women.”
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