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Donald Trump's strange response to Miss Universe transgender controversy
Apr 10th, 2012
Transgender beauty queen Jenna Talackova's public fight against disqualification from the Miss Universe Canada pageant has led to a landmark rule change that will allow transgender women in all competitions starting in 2013, according to gay rights group Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
Talackova, a Vancouver resident, was disqualified from the Miss Universe Canada pageant last month because she was not a "naturally born female." After weeks of public outcry and media attention, however, the beauty pageant -- owned by U.S. businessman Donald Trump -- has changed its rules to allow transgender contestants to compete, GLAAD said in a statement on Tuesday.
Reactions on social media were mostly positive, although a tweet reaction from what appears to be Donald Trump's official twitter account on LongTwit (allowing over 140 characters) suggested mixed feelings:
"Jenna changed her name from Walter to Page and then to Jenna so that now her name is Jenna Talackova. If you take the first 3 letters from Talackova and add them to Jenna, it's Jennatal (genital?). Is there something a little strange going on here? In any event, I have given the okay for her to compete in the Miss Universe Canada Pageant. It will be a wild evening with ticket sales through the roof--lots of interest!"
Others, however, congratulated Talackova on twitter while taking a swipe at Trump and Miss Universe:
"CONGRATS to Jenna Talackova," tweeted @MattRett. "Boo-hiss anyway to Donald Trump,"
"Yay GLAAD! The outdated sexist/racist beauty pageant isn't transphobic," tweeted @MatthewMaddox.
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