Transgender Woman, Rikkie Valerie Kollé Crowned Miss Netherlands for the first time (Photos)

Transgender women, Rikkie Valerie Kollé has been crowned as Miss Netherlands 2023.

 

I DID IT !!!!! 👑❤️
It’s unreal but I get to call myself @missnederland 2023. It was an educational and beautiful journey, my year can’t be broken anymore. I’m so proud and happy I can’t even describe it. Making my community proud and showing it can be done. 🏳️ ⚧️
And yes I’m trans and I want to share my story but I’m also Rikkie and that’s what matters to me. Did this on my own and loved every moment of it. ❤️ 

I want to thank the jury and everyone from the Miss Netherlands team for their trust, this is only the beginning. My dearest co-finalists we each put on a show, love you all girls❤️My dear family and friends, my N1 supporters, you gave me so much extra strength from the hall.   

And wherever you are in the world, I want to be there for you and be the example that I missed as a little me. 🫶🏼🏼 

On to many more adventures, let’s get @missuniverse ready. So excited!!! 🥹❤️

 

Before coming out for the beauty contest, She experienced lack of support when she came out as a transgender at a young age.

 

Although Kolle is not the first transgender woman to compete in the Miss Universe Pageant as her wins opens new way for People like her to have courage when contesting.

 

In 2018, Angela Ponce made history as the first openly transgender contestant to represent Spain in the competition. The Miss Universe Organization began allowing transgender participants in 2012, and since then, more trans women have been taking part in pageants worldwide.

 

In 2021, former Miss Nevada Kataluna Enriquez became the first trans contestant in a Miss USA pageant. Trans woman and activist Daniela Arroyo González will compete for this year’s Miss Universe Puerto Rico title next month. 

Thai business mogul Anne Jakrajutatip, a trans activist who is also transgender, bought the Miss Universe Organization last year. She has said she’s committed to advancing the organization as an inclusive platform and wants to transform the brand for the next generation.

 

As Kolle makes History, if she takes Miss Universe title in December, She will be the first tans woman to win in the history.