By Erica Staples // EEW Magazine Online

In a historic first, Bailey Anne Kennedy, a transgender woman, has been crowned Miss Maryland USA, igniting both celebration and controversy.

Kennedy will now advance to compete for the national title at the Miss USA pageant on August 4, 2024, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. Savannah Gankiewicz from Hawaii will crown the new beauty queen, succeeding the former titleholder, Venezuelan-American Noelia Voight.

Kennedy, a Cambodian American and the first Asian American to win the title, is also the first military spouse to achieve this distinction. In an interview with Washington, D.C., TV station WDCW, Kennedy expressed hope that her win “will open up some doors” and “open up some hearts for people to see that there are many aspects of the LGBT community out there.”

Despite the celebration among trans advocates, Kennedy's win has been met with opposition from various conservative circles. In response to the backlash, Kennedy addressed her critics in a lengthy Instagram post: “Not everyone has to agree with the spaces that you occupy, and it doesn't mean that you aren't worthy of these opportunities,” she wrote. “The work that I will do for the remainder of my life is to make sure that children who feel like me will never have to worry about the consequences of being who they are by simply being myself and being a positive contribution to society.”

Kennedy's win has brought significant media attention, highlighting a policy shift within the Miss USA organization, which has welcomed trans women since 2012. Furthermore, in 2023, the organization lifted the age restriction, formerly capped at 28, to allow adult women of any age, marital, and family status to compete.

The Miss USA organization addressed the criticism in a statement to Newsweek: "Every person has the right to live authentically and pursue every opportunity, and we believe Bailey Anne embodies these values. She is brave, resilient, and committed to her truth, all attributes that make her an excellent state representative.”

The spokesperson added, "While change is always met with adversity, the support Bailey Anne and the Miss Maryland USA organization is receiving does not go unnoticed. We see Bailey's win as a win for everyone who dreamed the impossible dream."

The term transgender refers to someone whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. State laws vary widely across the country, but transgender women are recognized as women once they meet specific legal requirements.

The Miss Universe Organization, which includes Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, is currently owned by JKN Global Group and Legacy Holding Group USA Inc. The Miss Universe Pageant was previously owned by Donald Trump from 1996 to 2015.

Kennedy's upcoming participation in the Miss USA pageant continues to stir debate, reflecting broader societal discussions about gender identity, representation, and inclusivity. As she prepares to compete on a national stage, reactions remain deeply polarized, embodying the ongoing dialogue around these critical issues.