Vietnam’s Nguyen Huong Giang bested transgender beauty contestants from 27 countries to be crowned Miss International Queen in Pattaya.
The 27-year-old, whose communist home country is poised to pass a landmark bill allowing people to legally change their sex, called for equality after the March 10 pageant at the Tiffany Theater.
“Give transgenders a chance,” she pleaded on stage in front of a packed house. “Give them a chance so they can be stronger, come to work, come to the office and to school like a normal person. You want to be happy. Transgenders want to be too.”
Thailand’s Miss Tiffany Universe Rinrada Thurapan placed third while Miss Australia, who goes by the single name Jacqueline, was the runner-up. She took home 200,000 baht in prizes while Rinrada got 100,000 baht in cash and vouchers.
Nguyen, who finished the evening in a brilliant red evening gown, clearly was a judge’s favorite. In addition to the crown, she also won the Miss Popular Introduction and Most Talented prizes for a total 600,000 baht in cash, prizes and vouchers.
