Kerala is set to host its first-ever beauty pageant for transgender women in hopes of removing the stigma against transgender persons, and boosting the confidence of participants, the Times of India reported.
Auditions recently began in Kochi where nine out of more than 40 people who applied were chosen to take part in the pageant, which is being organised by Dhwayah Arts and Cultural society, an association of transgender persons.
A total of 15 participants will be selected for the final round after auditions are held in other parts of the state. The winner will be crowned “Queen of Dhwayah 2017” by model Shweta Menon, the newspaper reported.
Pageant contestant Tripthi Shetty told the Times of India, “We are participating in it after overcoming violent oppositions from family, friends and society at large with regard to our gender choices and convincing the world of our sexual identity.”
The auditions are being judged by former Miss Kerala Elizabeth Thadikaran, fashion choreographer Sunil Menon and celebrity makeup artist and pageant organiser Renju Renjimar. The final round will be judged by Parvathy Omanakuttan and Ranjini Haridas.
Kerala has made multiple inroads towards creating a safe and accepting environment for the transgender community within the state. The first sports meet for transgender persons was recently held at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. More than 130 participants from different parts of the state took part in four events, including sprints, relay, long jump and shot putt.