A critique to the reactions of National Pageants with MUO's decision to include transsexuals

The first Bb. Pilipinas Universe Myrna Panlilio must be turning in her grave when Bb. Pilipinas PR officer Tessa Mangahas announced that the pageant will allow transsexuals to compete. Myrna died in an era when the sanctity of femininity was still being respected - in 2009

Missosology has been an advocate of allowing each individual nation to decide whether transsexuals can compete at the national level of Miss Universe or recent developments in the Philippines, is ignorance at its best. By embracing the decision of Trump to allow transsexuals to compete at Miss Universe, Bb. Pilipinas made a stupid move that virtually tossed the legal and cultural viewpoints of a conservative nation into the thrash bin. In effect, Trump asked Bb. Pilipinas to jump and Bb. Pilipinas asked, "How high?"

First and foremost, there are no Philippine laws recognizing a male transsexual as female. If transsexuals will be allowed to compete at Bb. Piipinas, it is like allowing Piolo Pascual to don a Cumbia gown and sashay alongside Patricia Lae Ejercitado. A man who underwent sexual reassignment to become a woman, in the eyes of Philippine laws, is still a man. Has Bb. Pilipinas realized that? Have they checked the legal standpoint of their statements to follow Trump's decision?

As you can see, the reactions of National Pageants across the planet is varied. Mexico is saying it will not allow transsexuals to compete at NBM. That's because there are no laws in Mexico that will allow anyone to legally change their sex.

In Australia however, the Miss Universe Australia pageant can be legally compelled to allow transsexuals to compete because they have laws that allow people to legally change their gender. But what is interesting is the line of reasoning of talent coordinator of an Australian state where the current Miss Universe Australia Scherri Lee-Biggs came from. "I don't think you can discriminate," Miss Universe WA talent co-ordinator Sophia Barbagallo said. "It's not a surgery free competition, so where do you draw the line?" Interestingly, the same point was raised by a Missosology writer days ago in an article about beauty transformation. As such, Miss Universe Australia will be accepting transsexuals next year.

As you can see, the issue raised by Jenna Talackova, as first reported by Missosology and its forumers, did stir the hornet's nest. Article after article about transsexuals and their status in our society are streaming endlessly online. It could be a healthy debate but such decision of Miss Universe has far-reaching impact. If we allow transsexuals to compete at Miss Universe, where will the appeasement end at the expense of natural-born women? Can we ensure that people will not lose respect on femininity if we imply that we can artificially create it? Can our civilization survive if gender and sexuality can be created by surgeons and not by nature? These questions must be answered satisfactorily lest we risk of losing our morals and civility in our conversation about equality and broadmindedness.