A transgender woman was axed from
the final of a top national beauty contest after officials discovered she was
born – a MAN. Jossy Yendall, 28, was selected as a finalist for Ms Galaxy 2016
but was told at the last minute she was not eligible – because she was not born
a man.
Shocked Jossy claimed she said
from the outset she is transgender and even published it in the first sentence
on her application web-page. The activities co-ordinator, who hopes to be a
model, said she felt discriminated against because of her gender transition –
which began over a decade ago.
from the outset she is transgender and even published it in the first sentence
on her application web-page. The activities co-ordinator, who hopes to be a
model, said she felt discriminated against because of her gender transition –
which began over a decade ago.
She said: “Ms Galaxy said in
an email that I’m not eligible to take part in the competition because I am
transgender. But a transgender woman is a woman, and this rejection kind of
makes me feel like I’m less of one.”
an email that I’m not eligible to take part in the competition because I am
transgender. But a transgender woman is a woman, and this rejection kind of
makes me feel like I’m less of one.”
Jossy, from Gateshead, Tyne and
Wear, explicitly stated on her website that she was transgender.
Wear, explicitly stated on her website that she was transgender.
She wrote: “I am a
transgender woman looking to get agency signed. I believe that transgender
women are under-represented in the media and this needs to change.”
transgender woman looking to get agency signed. I believe that transgender
women are under-represented in the media and this needs to change.”
Director of the Ms Galaxy
competition, Holly Pirrie, explained that the website is not an official
application, and missing this was “an oversight”. I would never want
anyone to feel dejected, but unfortunately the rules are put in place for
whatever reason. From an international competition’s perspective, they have
different rulings in place and we abide by what they say. The terms and
conditions of the competition’s website state: “Entrant must be a
naturally born genetic female”, she said.
competition, Holly Pirrie, explained that the website is not an official
application, and missing this was “an oversight”. I would never want
anyone to feel dejected, but unfortunately the rules are put in place for
whatever reason. From an international competition’s perspective, they have
different rulings in place and we abide by what they say. The terms and
conditions of the competition’s website state: “Entrant must be a
naturally born genetic female”, she said.
But Jossy, who was rejected from
the pageant on November 11, is not convinced and wants people to know that she
will not stand for what she argues is discrimination. She said:
the pageant on November 11, is not convinced and wants people to know that she
will not stand for what she argues is discrimination. She said:
“I got an email through
saying congratulations you’ll be a grand finalist. But then when I mentioned in
passing being transgender, they suddenly said I’m not eligible.
saying congratulations you’ll be a grand finalist. But then when I mentioned in
passing being transgender, they suddenly said I’m not eligible.
“This year, Caitlyn Jenner
became woman of the year for a magazine and transgender people are evolving in
the media.
became woman of the year for a magazine and transgender people are evolving in
the media.
“I want to speak up and tell
people what’s happened because I think it will make me more determined to
create change. In this day and age, transgender women are still being told no
and I want that to change,” she said.
people what’s happened because I think it will make me more determined to
create change. In this day and age, transgender women are still being told no
and I want that to change,” she said.
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