No transgender hiccup for Miss USA

STEVE MARCUS/ Reuters

Miss USA Olivia Culpo tackled a difficult question about transgender entrants to the competition en route to winning the 2012 event.

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Olivia Culpo of Rhode Island was named Miss USA on Sunday (local time) after saying it would be fair for transgendered contestants to win the pageant.

Culpo competed in the traditional swimsuit and evening gown competitions at the Las Vegas pageant, but also answered a question about whether a transgendered woman could enter the competition.

The question was tweeted in from an audience member after earlier this year the issue vexed organisers of the Miss Universe pageant in Canada when a transgendered woman wanted to compete.

Culpo was asked if it was fair that a transgender woman would win Miss USA over a natural born woman, and she answered: "I do think that would be fair, but I can understand that people would be a little apprehensive to take that road."

She went on to say that there are "so many people out there who have a need to change for a happier life. I do accept that because I believe it is a free country."

The audience reaction seemed mixed initially but quickly turned to cheers and Culpo gave two thumbs ups.

Later, when the winner's crown was placed on Culpo's head, tears came to her eyes as she accepted the congratulations of fellow contestants and walked the stage as the new Miss USA.

Earlier this year, Jenna Talackova, who underwent gender-reassignment surgery at age 19 and holds legal documents affirming her identity as a woman, was initially kicked out of the competition in the Miss Canada division, but was later reinstated by the Miss Universe organisation's owner, Donald Trump.

Talackova, now 23, went on to compete in last month's Miss Canada pageant, but did not win.

- Reuters