Transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant loses

TORONTO – The first-ever transgender contestant to compete in the Miss Universe Canada pageant has lost her bid to win the title.

Transgendered beauty queen Jenna Talackova reacts as she makes the top 20 cut in the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Toronto, on Saturday May 19, 2012. Talackova sparked global attention when she was initially disqualified from the pageant. AP/THE CANADIAN PRESS, CHRIS YOUNG

Jenna Talackova, 23, competed with 61 contestants Saturday night. She was among the final 12 contestants.

Talackova, who was born a male, underwent a sex change four years ago. The Vancouver, British Columbia, native was initially denied entry to Canada’s pageant because she was not a natural-born female. Donald Trump, who runs the Miss Universe Organization, subsequently overruled that decision.

The 6-foot-1 (1.8-meter-1 centimeter) blond beauty strutted the runway and competed in the bikini and formal wear contests.

The winner advances to the international Miss Universe competition in December.

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Tags: Gender Issues , Miss Universe Canada , pageant , Transgender