Daniella Alvarez, the reigning Miss Colombia openly rejects permitting gay and transgender contestants participate in mainstream beauty pageants.
The comments come after Canadian pageant officials allowed Jenna Talackova, 23, the first-ever transgender contestant to compete in Miss Universe Canada after initially barring her from the competition. Talackova placed in the top 12 of the pageant, which was held Saturday.
“I respect the sexual identity of each person, but I think they should participate in gay and transgender competitions,” said Alvarez.
In addition to publicizing her personal values, Miss Colombia has announced she has lost four and a half pounds so that she may best represent her country going into the Miss Universe pageant, set to take place in December 2012.