Trans Woman Makes History as First Contestant in Miss Georgia USA Pageant

Four years after Kataluna Enriquez represented the United States in Miss USA, transgender woman Bella Bautista has made history as the first transgender contestant to represent the U.S. in the Miss Georgia USA pageant.

According to NBC affiliate WAFF48, Bella currently holds the title of Miss Buckhead USA.

Reflecting on her journey, Bella shared her excitement about breaking barriers: “I was like, this could honestly be a true reality for me. This dream could one day come true. And just because there hasn’t been a first in Georgia, I could be that first,”

Addressing the negative comments she has received on social media, Bella revealed: “It had over a thousand comments in less than 30 minutes of people saying that I shouldn’t be in this world, that I’m just a man, that I’m mentally ill, that I don’t belong in this pageant,”

Bella also voiced her disappointment regarding the Georgia legislature’s decision to ban transgender women from competing in women’s sports: “It’s heartbreaking to know that the elected officials are stripping away my civil rights and opportunity for happiness because being a cheerleader makes me happy,”

She added: “I’m just going to sign up. I’m going to wish for the best and hopefully, that I am treated fairly and scored fairly as well,”