Miss Universe Canada disqualifies transsexual contestant



VANCOUVER — Vancouver's Jenna Talackova was everything Miss Universe Canada was looking for when she was selected among 65 finalists for the 2012 competition, to be held in Toronto in May.



But the Donald Trump–owned beauty pageant confirmed Friday that the 23-year-old has been disqualified from the competition.



The reason, Talackova claims, is she was born male.



“She did not meet the requirements to compete despite having stated otherwise on her entry form,” stated a Miss Universe Canada release issued on Friday.



“We do, however, respect her goals, determination and wish her the best,” it concludes, without specifying what requirements she did not meet.



Talackova set the blogosphere abuzz earlier this week after it was discovered she had sexual reassignment surgery in 2010.



Her profile and photos from the pageant’s website were subsequently pulled.



The statuesque blond told The Vancouver Province Friday she needs to speak to her lawyer before taking part in interviews.



But Talackova has made statements online over Twitter about being “disqualified for being born.”



By March 18, she had apparently already been told by Miss Universe Canada her place in the competition was in jeopardy.



“Still waiting to know if I’m able to compete ... praying and fingers crossed,” she Tweeted that day.



Two days later, she got the news.



“I’m disqualified, however I’m not giving up,” she wrote, defiantly. “I’m not going to just let them disqualify me over discrimination.”



Responses to her plight posted online have been mixed.



Some have welcomed her inclusion in the competition, while others believe such pageants are for women born as women.



Miss Universe Canada contestants must meet a basic requirement of being a Canadian citizen and between the ages of 18 and 27 to compete.



They also must not be married, pregnant, and have to fill out a more comprehensive form if they meet the basic requirements.



There is no mention of rules regarding sex-changes or cosmetic surgery.



Talackova has been rather open about her transsexual past online.



During an interview for a transsexual beauty pageant in Thailand — Miss International Queen 2010 — the Canadian representative refers to herself as “a woman, with a history.”



That history includes recognizing herself as a female since the age of four and beginning hormone therapy when she was 14.