Miss International Queen

The Miss International Queen official website states that the beauty pageant was established with the intent to, "offer an international competition for transgender and transsexual from around the world, to provide an opportunity for transgender/transsexual to be more accepted in today's world, to create transgender rights awareness among international communities and to build friendship and exchange ideas among international lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender/transsexual communities."[4]

The contestants must have been born male, can be pre- or post-operation and between the ages of 18 to 35. In addition, participants can only represent their country of birth or that listed in their passport and must not have previously joined any publication/website/adult film/prostitution showcasing nudity. Previous winners or runner-up contestants are not allowed to join again. Repeat non-placement candidates are allowed to re-submit their credentials and application.

Only about 25 semi-final contestants chosen would go on to compete in the final round and are required to participate in two weeks of activities: photo shoots, luncheons with city officials, dinner with the press, sponsor visits and community outreach, similar conditions to competitors in other beauty pageants. The final show will be aired on Thai television as well as live online streaming.

In 2011, the crown for Miss International Queen Crown was re-designed by an inspiration of butterflies and the crown of Lady Liberty. The butterflies were intended to symbolize beauty found in nature and the idea of rebirth. The crown remains with the Miss International Queen Organization at an estimated value of US$10,000.[5] The Miss International Queen winner receives cash prize of 450,000 Thai baht (about US$15,000), many sponsor gifts, an apartment at Woodlands Resort Pattaya during her reign and memories that last a lifetime.

Miss International Queen is a registered trademark and a non-profit sector of the organizer Tiffany's Show Pattaya Co., Ltd., world's largest transgender cabaret show since 1974 and sponsored by Tourism Authority of Thailand. All the monetary profits of the final televised show goes to the Royal Charity AIDS Foundation of Thailand.

According to recent studies, transgender and transsexual individuals are often the victims of social and political discrimination.[6] The Miss International Queen pageant offers contestants the opportunity to compete and showcase their talent and beauty in a LGBT friendly environment.

Recent events have drawn attention to the treatment of transgender pageant contestants and how their personal identification impacts their eligibility. There have been instances where transgender and transsexual pageant winners have lost their title for not being "transgender enough".[7] On the other hand, certain participants have also been disqualified from cisgender female pageants for not being a "natural born female". In 2012, Jenna Talackova who participated in Miss International Queen in 2010 was disqualified from Miss Universe Canada on the basis of competing as a woman when she was born a male. Supporters of Talackova argue that there were no rules explicitly banning transsexuals from competing.[8] Talackova joined in the 2010 Miss International Queen competition. This instance sparked a debate as to how Talackova's gender identification affected her eligibility to compete in both competitions.[9] Talackova argued that if she was transgender, she could participate in transgender pageants. At the same time, if she identified as a woman, she would have had the right to participate fairly in the Miss Universe Canada competition.[10] Jenna Talackova's case is one that brings awareness to the public perception and personal opinions pertaining to transgenders competing in pageants.[11]

A similar case occurred later in 2016 when the winner of the Miss Transgender UK, Jai Dara Latto, was stripped of her title after pageant organizers claimed she was not living "full time" as a woman. This was after footage was uncovered of Latto walking around in boxers rather than female undergarments. Latto was pegged as a "drag queen" rather than a transgender woman and proceeded to forfeit her pageant title and earnings. Latto pledged to walk thirty miles in high heels in honor of transgender rights after the allegations.[7]

Both Talackova and Latto's cases raise the question as to who is eligible to win a cisgender pageant and also what qualifications or standards must be met in order for a transgender pageant winner to retain her title. Participants are eligible to compete and win the title of Miss International Queen if they were born male and their sexual or gender identification is that of a female. These recent events have sparked a debate involving the social inclusion and equality that is associated with an individual's sexual and gender identification.[6]

General attitudes towards pageants like Miss International Queen vary among members of the population. Studies have suggested that some people are in favor of transgender inclusion in beauty pageants, while others argue that it is only fair that they compete in pageants that are exclusively for transgender contestants.[6] Although the premise of pageants has varying opinions as well, competitions like Miss International Queen offer the same opportunity to transgender women that individuals who were born female and identify as one have. Recent publications and studies claim that beauty pageants have negative impacts, while other sources suggest that pageants portray the intersectionality and dynamics of gender politics, sexual orientation, and cultural stigmas.[12]

Thailand is well-known for its high rates of sex tourism, especially in Pattaya. Miss International Queen pageant and its organization is aiming to show the transgender women that there are alternative career choices. Kathoey typically refers to a transgender woman or a very feminine acting male. A kathoey is often called a ladyboy in the English language.[13] Although Thailand is much more accepting of transgender people than most other countries, the LQBTQ+ community remains stigmatized. Cultural norms still suggest that someone's hobbies, mannerisms, and interests should match one's gender. So, even though kathoeys are accepted in society, a cisgender male working a typically female job is still looked down upon.[14] But, in October 1997, Thailand released a constitution that called for equal rights and treatment for all people, regardless of race, sex, gender, and more. Therefore, Thai culture slowly started to accept all individuals.

Trans culture is very prevalent in Thailand due to extensive medical research done and sex-change surgeries. The first documented sex change in Thailand was in 1975, and attitudes and surgical techniques have improved much since then. On 25 November 2009, the Thailand Medical Council released a policy that was titled "Criteria for the treatment of sex change, Census 2009". Since this policy change, ninety percent of those who received a sex change operation are foreigners to Thailand.[15] With this much tourism based solely off of sex reassignment surgery, Thailand's transgender community has not only grown, but trans individuals in Thai society are accepted on a much larger scale and will continue to be so in the future if the trend continues.

Transgender beauty pageants like Miss International Queen celebrate the contestants and promote awareness of the transgender community. Studies have shown that competing in prestigious beauty pageants are linked to higher levels of self-esteem.[16] These higher levels of self-esteem can stem from a stronger sense of identity experienced after competing against other transgender women. However, finishing as winners or runners-up in the beauty pageants did not further increase levels of self-esteem and confidence.[16] Instead, simply increasing the number of competitions were found to be much more effective in raising self-esteem.[16] This information shows that the result of the beauty pageant is less important in terms of self-esteem than participation in the beauty pageant itself.

The number of contestants are increasing yearly.

Color key

2015-present

2020	2019	2018	2017	2015
Australia Jan Brielle	Brazil Rafaela Manfrini	Argentina Sofia	Brazil Lavine Holanda	Mexico Miranda Lambardo
Brazil Ariella Moura	Canada Julie Vu	Brazil Isabelle Coimbra	Myanmar Htar Htar	Belgium Andrea Van Brugghe
China Lacey Wang Xinlei	China Yaya	China Ellie Cheng	Germany Naomi Yamaji	Philippines Michelle Binas
France Louiz	Ecuador Mia Isabella Maquilón	Colombia Mia	Malaysia Shazzyra Zahry	France Brittanie
India Nithu R.S.	India Veena Sandre	Australia Jacqueline Angliss Gillies	Mongolia Amina	USA Adriana Mallea
Indonesia Gebby Vesta	Indonesia Indah Cheryl	France Livia	Vietnam Bella	Japan Riyo Mizuno
Japan Rio Takahashi	Japan Van	Honduras Amelia Vega	Colombia Amethyst Dela Espriella	Thailand Sopida Siriwattananukoon
Laos Aliya Sirisopha	Korea Ssehi	India Nitasha Biswas	Thailand Jiratchaya Sirimongkolnawin	Turkey Basak
Malaysia Wanie Mohtar	Laos Kanrayany Phothimath	Indonesia Dinda Syarif	Mexico Giselle Valero	Australia Sofiya Iya
Mexico Valentina Fluchaire	Malaysia Larra Jassinta	Israel Elian	Japan Maika Kunisaki	Laos Inleusa
Myanmar May	Mexico Grecia Culpo	Italy Marianna Melo	Italy Roberta Marten	Japan Satsuki
Norway Eirin Grinde Tunheim	Myanmar Nann Mway Hnin	Japan Yuko	Indonesia Lily Bakrie	Italy Nicole Fontanell
Peru Nataly Saavedra	Nepal Angel Lama	Laos Longsi Sinakhone	Myanmar Shaung Than Zin	Malaysia Catherina Chandran
Philippines Jess Labares	Nicaragua Tiffany Colleman	Malaysia Suki Low	Nepal Aniee Lama	Philippines Trixie Maristela
Singapore Andrea Razali	Panama Candy Pamela	Mexico Anahi Christobal Altuzar	Philippines Sabel Gonzales	Turkey Zuzi Narin
Sweden Victoria Tran	Peru Adriana Jya	Mongolia Solongo	India Bishesh Huirem	Mexico Brenda Contreras
Taiwan Loey	Philippines Nicole Guevarra Flores	Myanmar Juana Paing	Brazil Nathalie De Oliveira	Myanmar Nan Htet Htet Moon
Thailand Ruethaipreeya Nuanglee	Thailand Kanwara Kaewjin	Nepal Swastika Lama	Philippines Stacy Biano	Laos Ninlamon Phimpha
USA Kayley Whalen	USA Jazelle Barbie Royale	Nicaragua Barbie D’Ebano	Venezuela Andrea Collazo	Brazil Valesca Dominik Ferraz
Vietnam Bui Dinh Hoai Sa	Venezuela Sofia Colmenarez	Peru Ghina Chacon	Malaysia Star	Australia Taliah
	Vietnam Do Nhat Ha	Philippines Carla Marie Madrigal	Peru Kayra	Philippines Francine Garcia
		Sri Lanka Noel Tokuhisa	Japan Yuma Suzuki	Japan Sora Sakuragi
		Thailand Rinrada Thurapan	USA Camille Anderson	Malaysia Nur Hendra Ikram
		Turkey Nez Sayginer	Laos Savannakhet	Singapore Priyanka Raichanel
		United Kingdom Francesca	Egypt Laura Lawrence	Mauritius Anthea Diane
		USA Kataluna Enriquez	Cambodia Reelawadee	Peru Dayana Valenzuela
		Vietnam Nguyen Huong Giang	Spain Mishella
		Venezuela Michel Epalza Betancourt	Mexico Italia Navarrete
			Laos Wanmai Thammavong

2004-2014

2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009	2007	2006	2005	2004
Philippines Kim Marie Villagalano	Myanmar Tanya Maung	Singapore Marla Vera	Brazil Yasmin Dream	Sweden Alexandra	China Maggie Gao	Switzerland Bruna Gabral	USA Asia Vitaie	Unknown	Japan Miki Yoshikawa
Brazil Rafaela Manfrini	Brazil Roberta Holanda	Russia Veronika	Nigeria Sahara	Japan Ami Takeuchi	USA Sunny Dee-Lite	Switzerland Camila Pryns	Malaysia Shasha Emmanuel	Unknown	Japan Fujiko Sakaki
Vietnam Angelina May Nguyen	Australia Sharleng Gonzalez	Philippines Kevin Balot	Philippines Marianne Arguelles	Japan Shima Shyna	Philippines Jamby Lim Garcia	Malaysia Natasha Lim	Philippines Katrina Ileth Halili	Unknown	Thailand Treechada Petcharat
Korea Ribbon Park	Venezuela Chanel	United States [27] Ruby Bella Cruz [27]	Sri Lanka Chamila	Belgium Barbie Gauthier	United Kingdom Asunta Mae	Philippines Rain Marie Madrigal	England Leah True	Unknown	Korea Eun Kyung
Malaysia Cicie Sinclair	Philippines Godiva Marie Archachia	Venezuela Noa Herrera	Thailand Sirapassorn Atthayakorn	Philippines Bembem Radaza	Thailand Kangsadal Wongdusadeekul	Colombia Melania Armenta	Japan Baby Christina Andaya	Unknown	Japan Tsukusa Yamazaki
Brazil Raika Ferraz	Japan Seri Fujinomiya	Turkey Deniz	China Lucky	Sri Lanka Chamila	Singapore Camillia Dzelma	Philippines Perla Quigaman	Philippines Donita Crown Linapacan	Unknown	Japan Tomo
Japan Annabel Yu	Spain Carolina Medina	Angola Imanni Da Silva	Italy Marry de Francy	Singapore Cheryl Isabelle	Japan Bemi Tukismshi	Mexico Sofia Montana	Philippines Armela Esguera	Brazil Andressa	Singapore Sonia Slizstar
Turkey Yanki Bayramoglu	Malaysia Nur Sajat	Thailand Panvilas Mongkol	France Herika Borges	Philippines Claire Harlow	Malaysia Roxaanne Fonseka	Venezuela Gresia Rivas	India Phylliscia Hsuan	Unknown	Malaysia Natasha Aziz
Spain Cristini Couto	Thailand Nethnapada Kanrayanon	Philippines Miriam Jimenez	Venezuela Chanel	Philippines Chelsea Marie	Philippines Anna Marie	Costa Rica Ruby Bella Cruz	Egypt Darlene Illyana	USA Victoria Rall	Korea Choi
Thailand Nitsa Katrahong	Australia Victoria Martin	Nicaragua Berdien Lavyeska Diedrish Blandino	Russia Varvara Strange	France Stella Rocha	Japan Ai Haruna	Philippines Francine Garcia	Philippines Alexis Marinas Jaromillo	Philippines Sean Pacifico	Philippines Apple Pie Mendoza
Chile Daniela Manyoma	Japan Annabel Yu	Brazil Jessika Simões	Colombia Yania	Canada Jenna Talackova	Thailand Sorrawee Nattee	Nepal Akanchya Moktan	USA Domanigue Shappelle	Unknown	Indonesia Vena
Myanmar Myo Ko Ko San	Indonesia Angeline Hanum	Japan Tukishima Beni	Philippines Hazel Andrada	Nepal Meghana Lama	Nepal Sandhya Lama	Japan Ai Haruna	Australia Kathrya Cole	Korea Yu Ri	Germany Ireen Sue
Nicaragua Ithzelle Berdrinadxy	Philippines Andrea Justine Aliman	Spain Nikki Normanson Mascenon	India Malaika	Brazil Michelly X	Philippines Godiva Marie Arcachie	Thailand Tanyarat Jirapatpakon	Philippines Patricia Montecarlo	Thailand Tiptantree Rujiranon	Indonesia Chenny Han
Mongolia Solongo	South Africa Anastasia South	Guam Matrica Mae Centino	USA Silkie O' Hara Munro	Korea Mini	Japan Yuki Saejima	Nepal Anjali Lama	Japan Hikaru Asakawa	USA Tiffany Ross	Taiwan Cher
Russia Veronica Svetlova	Brazil Marcela Ohio	Indonesia Leha Angel Lelga	Japan Karin Fujikawa	Philippines Miranda Diana Kerr	Brazil Daniela Margues	Nepal Bhumika Shrestha	Italy Alessandea Da Costa	USA Mimi Marks	Indonesia Megie
Philippines Maria Venus Gomez	Venezuela Nohemi Montilla	Brazil Bianca hotpink	Venezuela Noa Herrera	Thailand Nalada Thamthanakorn	Puerto Rico Naysha Lopez	Brazil Aleika Barros	Philippines Joyce	Philippines Donita Gauten	India Arisha Rani
Venezuela Isabella Santiago	Malaysia Patricia Asyeera Wong	Japan Yuki Tachibana	Lebanon Margaret	Philippines Nixie Salonga	USA Stacey Jacobs	Philippines Chanel Madrigal	Colombia Diana Mascaros	USA Zsane' Braxton	France Sylvie Iynn
Laos Piyada Inthavong	Korea Arisa South	Philippines Michelle Montecarlo	Germany Alessandra Vargas	USA Stasha Sanchez	Philippines Maria Selita Erica Fideroa	Japan Shining Shyna	Philippines Shaina Marie Barber	Philippines Mika Lee Adriana	Taiwan Angela
Brazil Mariah Fernanda	USA Shantell D'Marco	Mexico Morgana	Philippines Michelle Binas	USA Sunny Dee Lite		Philippines Joana Castillanes	Mexico Erica Andrews	Malaysia Sara Gomez	Laos Sendgao
USA Samira Sitara	Japan Akiho Nakagawa	Romania Tanja	France Estelle Roedrer	Ecuador Susi Villa		Germany Ireen Sue	Philippines Kristina Madrigal	Unknown	Hong Kong Yan
Japan Lilia Kisaragi	Japan Akiho Nakagawa	Philippines Stefania Cruz	Cuba Yuni Carey	Colombia Melania		United Kingdom Melania Robles Lacson	Thailand Ratravee Jiraprapakul	Unknown	Philippines Michelle
Cuba Yuni Carey	Brazil Veronica Haddad	USA [28] Sunny Dee Lite [28]	Chile Vanessa			Italy Patricia Binotto	Indonesia Syllvia	Unknown	Philippines Ma. Cristina Dandan
	Philippines Kristina Cassandra Ybarra	French Polynesia Feleu Myroina	USA Mokha Montrese			Puerto Rico Jazmine International	Korea Maria	Unknown
	India Angela	USA [29] Mokha Montrese [29]				Japan Beni Tsukishima
	Germany Renata Ferreira	Indonesia Dewi Fortuna
	Singapore Anne Patricia Lee

• List of beauty contests
• Miss Trans Star Internacional
• Miss Continental
• Miss T World

• Official website