Jenna Talackova on Tuesday called on
Donald Trump to plainly state that transgender women can compete in
the Miss Universe pageant.
Miss Universe Canada officials said on
Friday that Talackova could not compete “because she did not meet
the requirements to compete despite having stated otherwise on her
entry form,” a reference to the fact that Talackova was born male.
The organization released a statement
on Monday saying that the 23-year-old Talackova would be allowed to
compete “provided she meets the legal gender recognition
requirements of Canada, and the standards by other international
competitions.”
At a press conference in Los Angeles
organized by civil rights attorney Gloria Allred, Talackova said she
wanted a definitive answer from the organization's owner.
“I wish Mr. Trump would just say, in
plain words, whether or not I will be allowed to compete and, if I
win, whether I will be allowed to represent Canada in the Miss
Universe competition,” she said.
“I also want Mr. Trump to clearly
state that this rule will be eliminated because I do not want any
other woman to suffer the discrimination that I have to endure.”
Gay rights advocate GLAAD
called on the organization to “use the incident to speak out in
support of the transgender community.”
Talackova, a Vancouver resident, has
identified as female since age 4. She began transitioning at the age
of 14 and underwent gender reassignment surgery at 19.