Ending Pride Month on a very high note, Kataluna Enriquez is the first trans woman of colour to win the Nevada state pageant crown!
Bringing a sense of pride to her community, Kataluna Enriquez was officially crowned Miss Nevada USA on June 27, the first trans woman of colour to win an official pageant in the country.
Miss Nevada USA was held at the South Point hotel-casino in glitzy Las Vegas, where the 27-year-old winner competed against 21 other contestants.
Honouring her story and community for Pride Month “and all of those who don’t get a chance to spread their colours,” Enriquez wore a dazzling hand-designed sequined rainbow gown for the finals.
As the current Miss Nevada USA, Enriquez will go on to represent her state at the grand Miss USA 2021 pageant on November 29. Enriquez will also be the first trans woman to openly compete in Miss USA since the pageant was started 69 years ago.
Back in March, Enriquez who had previously competed in trans-specific pageants, become the first trans woman to be crowned Miss Silver State USA — the main preliminary event for Miss Nevada USA.
During the pageant’s question-and-answer round, Enriquez opened up about the challenges she faced while being true to herself.
“Today I am a proud transgender woman of color. Personally, I’ve learned that my differences do not make me less than, it makes me more than,” she said, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. “I know that my uniqueness will take me to all my destinations, and whatever I need to go through in life.”
Changing history in 2012 when the pageant was opened to transwomen, Enriquez will be the second transwoman to compete for the Miss Universe crown should she win Miss USA 2021, the first being Angela Ponce from Spain in 2018.
THE FANS ARE EVERYTHING
Enriquez has been absolutely beside herself with joy and thanks her wonderful fans and supporters who always believed in her, and the power of change.
“Huge thank you to everyone who supported me from day one. My community, you are always in my heart. My win is our win. We just made history. Happy Pride,” Enriquez wrote on Instagram.
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