- Miss Spain, Angela Ponce, is the first transgender contestant at a Miss Universe pageant.
- Though she didn’t make it to the top 20, the competition honored her with a special segment during Sunday’s live show.
- She also walked down the runway.
Miss Spain, Angela Ponce, made history at the Miss Universe pageant Sunday night as the competition’s first transgender contestant.
Though she didn’t make it to the top 20, the 27-year-old from Sevilla, Spain, was honored with a special segment during the live competition in Bangkok, Thailand.
“My hope is for tomorrow to be able to live in a world of equality for everyone, simply for us all to understand that we are human and we must make all our lives easier together,” she said. “If I can give that to the world, I don’t need to win Miss Universe, I only need to be here.”
Her history-making appearance made viewers emotional.
"I'm here to eradicate the intolerance and to raise Equality for everyone, even if I will not win the title"
KUDOS! Miss Universe Spain, Angela Ponce. You're making each LGBTQ+ proud.!❤🔥 #MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/Dx9xT9BCdN
— Shawpejhay🌈 (@shawpejhay) December 17, 2018
GURL I’M CRYING FOR MISS SPAIN.
“I do not need to win Miss Universe. I only need to be here”
YES GURL #MissUniverse
— LIBINGKA 🎄 (@jvcabrera_) December 17, 2018
miss spain got me — pic.twitter.com/Pko6EG1Jes
— matt (@mattxnofuente) December 17, 2018
They dedicated a special segment for Angela Ponce to acknowledge her, and recognize her representation. She is a woman, and in the eyes of the universe, she will always be a woman.
I'm so emotional right now. You made your community proud, Miss Spain! #MissUniverse
— Gian Verona (@gianverona) December 17, 2018
Ponce walked down the runway and raised her sash, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.
A walk to remember. A historic night for #MissUniverse. pic.twitter.com/wWT5TmWCRp
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 17, 2018
The competition aired Sunday on Fox from Thailand.
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