Winwyn Marquez prefers Miss U for “natural-born women”

Before other people could get the wrong idea, Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez immediately presented a disclaimer that her views on transgender women joining the Miss Universe pageant does not mean that she is against transgenders.

The entertainment press asked Winwyn for her opinion on the notion of transgender women competing for the Miss Universe crown, after Angela Ponce, a transgender woman was crowned as Miss Universe-Spain just recently. If the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) allows Angela to escalate to the international pageant, she will be Spain’s official bet for the beauty contest.

“I love that Spain was really open na pinayagan nila ‘yung ganun (to allow it). I’m really proud na sobrang (and very) happy, [that it is] out na talaga, and everyone is respecting them, di ba (right)?” she said in an interview.

However, she had another opinion.

“Pero (But) Miss Universe per se, sana ibigay na lang sa (I hope we give it to the) natural-born women and let transgenders have their own [contest],” she continued.

“And then kasi (because), there is Miss International Queen, it’s a prestigious pageant also,” Winwyn added referring to the globally-recognized as the largest pageant for transwomen.

For her, naturally-born women joining the Miss Universe pageant is a tradition.

“Pero kung i-a-allow naman ng (But if the) Miss Universe Organization (allows it), then we should accept it also, walang problema (no problem at all),” the beauty queen continued.

This was not the first time for Winwyn to encounter such a question. Back in October 2017, an interview by Conan Daily featured her answer which leaned on the same angle.

“I respect transgender women. But we have to also respect the essence of being a woman and the tradition of beauty pageants, as well. So, I think they should have their own pageants and then we should celebrate our gender in our own ways, as well,” she said then.

Last week, the Philippines’ representative who will try to snatch the Miss Universe crown said that competing with a transgender woman is alright with her.

[READ: Catriona Gray says she’s fine competing with a transwoman in Miss Universe]

“Personally, I have no problem with it. But I do understand why there is quite an uproar amongst all the fans and different people looking at the issue because it is a very young discussion about the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) and especially coming from a traditional… in the arena of pageantry,” she said.

MUO in 2012, when it was still owned by now-United States President Donald Trump, lifted its ban on transgender women.