Dalawa sa mga opisyal na kandidata ng Miss Universe 2023 ang inaasahang pag-uusapan ng mga sumusuporta sa mga beauty pageant—si Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee at si Miss Universe Netherlands Rikkie Valerie Kolle.
Si Michelle ay umaming bisexual noong May 2023, habang si Kolle ay isang transgender woman.
Read: Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee: "I definitely identify myself as bisexual."
Gumawa ng kasaysayan si Kolle sa kanilang bansa dahil siya ang kauna-unahang trans woman na nagwagi ng naturang titulo at kinatawan ng Netherlands sa Miss Universe.
Sumailalim si Kolle sa gender affirmation surgery noong January 2023. Katuparan ito ng kanyang matagal na pangarap mula pa noong labing-anim na taon ang edad niya.
Bago siya nanalong Miss Universe Netherlands 2023 noong Sabado, July 8, tinanong si Kolle kung paano nito isasalarawan ang sarili.
Sagot niya, “Because as a little boy, I conquered all things that came through my path and look at me now.
“Standing here, as a strong empowering and confident transwoman. Love is love. Be who you want to be and never forget always celebrate your pride.”
Sa pamamagitan ng isang Instagram post, ibinahagi ni Kolle sa publiko ang kanyang saloobin tungkol sa tagumpay niya.
Pahayag niya: “It’s unreal but I get to call myself Miss Netherlands 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.”
Ngayong Martes ng hapon, July 11, muling nagpasalamat si Kolle sa lahat dahil hindi pa rin ito makapaniwalang siya ang kinatawan ng Netherlands sa 72nd Miss Universe.
Mensahe niya: “I’m really incredibly grateful for this. That I can get such a platform to speak as the first transwoman to win Miss Netherlands.
“With pride, I want to be a role model and example to all my younger trans people who no longer dare to dream because of harassment.
"We wrote history and we did that together. I’m proud!"
Si Kolle ang pangalawang transgender woman na sasali sa Miss Universe.
Nauna nang gumawa ng kasaysayan si Angela Ponce ng Spain sa mundo ng beauty pageant.
Si Ponce ang kauna-unahang transwoman na lumahok sa Miss Universe noong December 2018.
Si Catriona Gray ang isa sa mga nakalaban ni Ponce, at ang Filipina beauty queen ang pinalad na magwagi sa 67th Miss Universe na ginanap sa Bangkok, Thailand.
Read: Angela Ponce "proud" to be the first trans woman to win Miss Universe Spain