Transgender queen crowned in Thailand as coronavirus limits crowd
Mexico's Valentina Fluchaire waves after winning crown at the final show of the Miss International Queen 2020 transgender beauty pageant in Pattaya, Thailand March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
After temperature checks for contestants and with a smaller crowd than last year because of coronavirus fears, Mexico's Valentina Fluchaire was crowned in Thailand as winner of what is billed as the world's biggest transgender pageant on Saturday.
Although Miss International Queen 2020 went ahead, unlike many events canceled around the world since the coronavirus outbreak emerged in China, the crowd was markedly smaller than in previous years, with many empty seats.
Thailand's Ruethaipreeya Nuanglee, Mexico's Valentina Fluchaire and Brazil's Ariella Moura pose after the final show of the Miss International Queen 2020 transgender beauty pageant in Pattaya, Thailand March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
Organizers had advised anyone who felt unwell not to attend. To allay worries, the entire venue in the seaside resort city of Pattaya was disinfected the day before the event by staff in protective suits.
The contestants all had their temperatures taken with hand scanners before being allowed to go on stage in national costumes, swimsuits and glamorous evening gowns.
Fluchaire hailed her victory as a win for all trans-women in Latin America.
Mexico's Valentina Fluchaire receives crown at the final show of the Miss International Queen 2020 transgender beauty pageant in Pattaya, Thailand March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
"This is for you, I made this for you," she said.
The second and third place went to contestants from Brazil and Thailand.
Thailand was the first country outside China to record an infection with the new coronavirus, but with only 50 cases recorded so far, it is no longer even in the 20 worst affected countries.
Thailand's Ruethaipreeya Nuanglee and Brazil's Ariella Moura kiss Mexico's Valentina Fluchaire after she won crown at the final show of the Miss International Queen 2020 transgender beauty pageant in Pattaya, Thailand March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
With the infection rate slowing in China too, the Chinese contestant hailed efforts to stop the spread of the virus there.
"I'm so proud of my country. It's like a lesson for everyone, for the earth, we can get through it," said the contestant, who gave her name just as Lacey to conceal her identity because of prejudice.
The annual pageant the pageant was in its 15th year. Thailand has built a reputation as a place with a relaxed attitude toward gender and sexual diversity since homosexuality was decriminalized there in 1956.
Mexico's Valentina Fluchaire poses at the final show of the Miss International Queen 2020 transgender beauty pageant in Pattaya, Thailand March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
But activists say LGBT+ people face discrimination and stigma in schools, the workplace and health facilities, and are often rejected by their families.
(Editing by Matthew Tostevin)
Mexico's Valentina Fluchaire waves after winning crown at the final show of the Miss International Queen 2020 transgender beauty pageant in Pattaya, Thailand March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya TunContestants pose at the final show of the Miss International Queen 2020 transgender beauty pageant in Pattaya, Thailand March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya TunPhilippines's Jess Labares poses at the final show of the Miss International Queen 2020 transgender beauty pageant in Pattaya, Thailand March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun Aliya Sirisopha of Laos has her temperature checked before the final show of the Miss International Queen 2020 transgender beauty pageant in Pattaya, Thailand March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun Lacey of China has her temperature checked before the final show of the Miss International Queen 2020 transgender beauty pageant in Pattaya, Thailand March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya TunKayley Whalen of the U.S. takes part in the final show of the Miss International Queen 2020 transgender beauty pageant in Pattaya, Thailand March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya TunPeru's Nataly Saavedra pose at the final show of the Miss International Queen 2020 transgender beauty pageant in Pattaya, Thailand March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya TunMalaysia's Wanie Mohtar takes part in the final show of the Miss International Queen 2020 transgender beauty pageant in Pattaya, Thailand March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya TunRio Takahashi of Japan gets ready for the final show of the Miss International Queen 2020 transgender beauty pageant in Pattaya, Thailand March 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
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