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PUBLIC OPINION > It's OK for Beauty Pageant to Disqualify Transgendered Contestant

SodaHead Celebs 2012/03/27 21:00:00
The Miss Universe Canada beauty pageant found itself in a strange situation when the organization discovered that Jenna Talackova, one of 65 finalists, was not born a woman. The 23-year-old Vancouver native was disqualified because she did not "meet the requirements to compete despite having stated otherwise on her entry form." Officials say the rules require that contestants be "naturally born females," but Talackova argues that she has considered herself a woman since the age of four and has undergone reassignment surgery. Good Morning America asked the public if Miss Universe Canada officials were discriminating when they disqualified her.

jenna talackova sodahead

Unfortunately for Talackova, the public is not on her side. However, in this case it's especially important that we pin down the reason behind the public's decision, as this is a controversial issue despite an apparent consensus. The key factor in ruling the disqualification "fair" was not the public's stance on the LGBT community, or even the public's stance on what should be allowed in such a pageant -- though both obviously influenced some voters. The deciding factor was the rule book.

We couldn't find a digital copy of the Miss Universe Canada requirements, but one official did say that the rules specifically require that each contestant be a "naturally born female." Since "female" denotes chromosomal makeup, there's really no way Talackova can evade it. Perhaps she can present an argument against the rule book for future pageants, but this year she's out of luck.

Teens Support Talackova

Even though the overall results suggest a consensus, there was little agreement in the demographics. Age, for instance, had an enormous correlation. Teens were inversely adamant about allowing Talackova to participate in the pageant, while some older age groups were nearly unanimous.

Liberals Relatively Reserved

The political spectrum is a good illustration of why the results turned out so heavily against Talackova. Not surprisingly, liberals were far more likely than conservatives to call the ruling discriminatory, but they were not nearly as decided as conservatives. While an overwhelming 92% of conservatives voted "fair," liberals were still very close to a split decision, presumably because of the rule-book argument.

Males Make a Statement

Gender mirrored the political spectrum in that men showed a strong opinion and women were relatively undecided, but the reasoning here is a little less obvious. We suspect the primary factor here is that men don't want to accidentally oggle someone who used to be a man. Even for men who are reasonably progressive, the idea might seem a bit awkward.

If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit Good Morning America's poll about Jenna Talackova. We'd love to hear from you!
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Top Opinion

  • Sterling 2012/03/27 22:03:52
    Sterling
    +24
    I think the reason teens are for it is they don't really understand what goes into a sex change. You can't reproduce female organs, nor can you reproduce the male organs. You can make someone LOOK like they have female organs but A) they aren't functional, never could be and B) they will still have a Y chromosome.

    "well what about women born infertile?" Do you really want to make the comparison between a man who cut off his junk and flipped his penis inside out to a woman who was born with female parts but is infertile?

    This is why you had all the people in the comment section asking for us to "define male and female" as though it hasn't already been defined.

    If I took a dog, chopped off it's legs and shaved it, cut its tongue to make it forked and did plastic surgery to make it look like a snake, would it be a snake or a dog?

    There are things you just can't change.

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Opinions

  • Akosi V... Akosi V... 2012/04/12 02:49:22
    Akosi Vhine
    that's the true beauty not in physical appearance
  • Sin Akosi V... 2012/04/18 17:33:02
    Sin
    So let them change the outside all they want, if it doesn't matter, right? That is the logic you used. So I don't see why you're debating with me.
  • TasselLady 2012/03/28 20:21:25
    TasselLady
    +2
    Rules are Rules. Oz has spoken.
    The Great Wizard of Oz
  • PC Game... TasselLady 2012/03/29 05:50:23 (edited)
    PC Gamer Name "Angry Assassin"
    +1
    "Don't pay attention to the Man hiding behind the cloth in the closet. He's just my Assistant!" ;-) I Love "The Wizard of Oz." (1939)
  • TasselLady PC Game... 2012/03/29 21:08:13
    TasselLady
    +1
    Ha Ha!!!!!!
    chimp laughing
  • volley15 2012/03/28 19:52:55
    volley15
    +4
    The world has a long way to go for equality. Such a shame.

    Talackova, you go GIRL. Don't let the bigotry of the world slow you down.
  • PC Game... volley15 2012/03/30 06:41:27 (edited)
  • jabo volley15 2012/03/31 21:02:30
    jabo
    +1
    Volley... Do you misinterpret everything or are you content to just lie? Why would a gay man cut off his dick to enter a female only beauty contest? I've never seen a real woman strap on a dildo to enter a gay male only beauty contest.
  • volley15 jabo 2012/04/01 05:55:49
    volley15
    (S)he didn't go through the process of a sex change just to enter a beauty pageant. (S)he went through the process because (s)he did not feel like (s)he belonged in the body (s)he was given. People who go through a sex change go through the process to feel and look on the outside the way they feel on the inside; to be truer to themselves. They often feel that to not do so would be living an unhappy life and a lie. If she then wanted to enter a beauty pageant, then she should every right to enter. Gender identity is more than just being born male or female.

    There's a difference between being attracted to the same gender and feeling like you should have been born the opposite gender and doing something about it.
  • Akosi V... volley15 2012/04/12 02:22:57
    Akosi Vhine
    +3
    you know. God is gave the body and life to you.
    God dont create a transgender.
    they should be happy of what they are.

    this is the response of Sushmita Sen sa tanong na what is the essence of being a woman na nagpanalo sa kanya sa ms. universe 1994, "Just being a woman is God’s gift. The origin of a child is a mother, a woman. Woman is sharing, she shows a man what sharing, caring, and loving is all about. That is the essence of a woman."
  • Mariann... jabo 2012/04/04 04:40:43
    Marianne723
    Don't give them any ideas.
  • MikeReale 2012/03/28 18:42:49
    MikeReale
    +4
    I absolutly love how the younger generation is non- discriminatory!!! :)
    But if we allow genetic women who have had plastic surgery why can't we allow the "un-natural" transgender. Either let the transgender participate or disqualify the women who have had plastic surgury!
  • PC Game... MikeReale 2012/03/30 07:01:43
    PC Gamer Name "Angry Assassin"
    +1
    I think that it's because that the "Miss Universe organization" makes the Rules. Not "the Contestants!"
  • MikeReale PC Game... 2012/04/04 20:36:31
    MikeReale
    Why must they make rules that discriminate?
  • PC Game... MikeReale 2012/04/05 06:24:49 (edited)
    PC Gamer Name "Angry Assassin"
    You're under the assumption that "Jenna Talackova" didn't do anything wrong. The Issue is not "discrimination," it's NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES & LYING ON THE "MISS UNIVERSE" APPLICATION. You're just throwing a "non-Issue" (like "Lucy Sparkles :3." did) into the Argument. I would suggest that You might want to read some previous posts that I've written. In fact, let me post one here for Your benefit: (1) "If she lied on the Application, then "Yes, 'Miss Canada' should be disqualified!" It's the same when You lie on a Application for Employment or on one's U.S. Tax Returns. When You sign the Application at the end, you've stated that "everything is True & Correct UNDER PENALTY Of Dismissal (in the case of a Employment Application) or PERJURY (in the case of a U.S. Tax Return)." I don't know why some People can't figure that out. Anyone ever read that Section before they sign it? I Have! If "Jenna Talackova" lied, then "she should get the boot" (Kicked Out)! Now, "she" doesn't realize it, but "she's" going to be "blackballed" (no pun intended) for the rest of "her" Life! You don't commit these Acts because they always get out. Makes me wonder if "She" did this just to deliberately get the Publicity!" And please read My Responses to "Lucy Sparkles :3." And also concerning the Rules of...
    You're under the assumption that "Jenna Talackova" didn't do anything wrong. The Issue is not "discrimination," it's NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES & LYING ON THE "MISS UNIVERSE" APPLICATION. You're just throwing a "non-Issue" (like "Lucy Sparkles :3." did) into the Argument. I would suggest that You might want to read some previous posts that I've written. In fact, let me post one here for Your benefit: (1) "If she lied on the Application, then "Yes, 'Miss Canada' should be disqualified!" It's the same when You lie on a Application for Employment or on one's U.S. Tax Returns. When You sign the Application at the end, you've stated that "everything is True & Correct UNDER PENALTY Of Dismissal (in the case of a Employment Application) or PERJURY (in the case of a U.S. Tax Return)." I don't know why some People can't figure that out. Anyone ever read that Section before they sign it? I Have! If "Jenna Talackova" lied, then "she should get the boot" (Kicked Out)! Now, "she" doesn't realize it, but "she's" going to be "blackballed" (no pun intended) for the rest of "her" Life! You don't commit these Acts because they always get out. Makes me wonder if "She" did this just to deliberately get the Publicity!" And please read My Responses to "Lucy Sparkles :3." And also concerning the Rules of the "Miss Universe" Contest; I'm sure that You'll find them online. One other thing, You had to wait 6 days to write a 7 word response that didn't make any sense? Next time, You might want to take a little more time to figure out a better response.
    (more)
  • MikeReale PC Game... 2012/04/07 22:12:48
    MikeReale
    yeahhh I'm not reading that...
  • PC Game... MikeReale 2012/04/07 22:14:33 (edited)
    PC Gamer Name "Angry Assassin"
    Well, then that's your problem, not mine! Typical "non-response response." I would suggest, however that If in the future that "You lie on an Application and/or Your Tax Return" & get fired and/or get punished for it, then You have only yourself to blame. No one else, like "Jenna Talackova." Then go ahead sit there & Whine, Bit**, and/or Complain about someone being "discriminated against" concerning a Woman's Beauty Contest because "She" went from "a Male to a Female" & then lied on an Application about it. Rules are in place for a reason, not to break. If one cannot live with the Rules, the that leaves you with two (2) options: (1) Either get the Rules changed, or (2) Don't get involve with the Contest in the First Place & stop complaining (b*tching about it). Donald Trump owns the Miss Universe Contest. If you want to change the Rules, gather up some Friends & buy the Rights to the Contest from Him. Then, You can change the Rules & do what You want to. Until then, Stop Whining! It also never ceases to amaze me how Liberals can't come up with a Good Defense with someone else's shortcomings. To use the "Bigotry Defense" that "volley15" did & You talk about "discrimination." Please! crybaby
  • MikeReale PC Game... 2012/04/17 02:44:10
    MikeReale
    agian... just was too long. smh. Do you think your smart numbering your points? and putting the number you just wrote in brackets ? Some people take this site way to goddam seriouse facepalm
  • PC Game... MikeReale 2012/04/17 06:38:36 (edited)
  • tony 2012/03/28 17:37:05
    tony
    +2
    TRANS GENDERED SHOULDN´T HAVE A PLACE IN SOCIETY UNLESS IT IS IN REHAB OR REPENTANCE
  • Marlow ~ Let There Be Light 2012/03/28 17:27:33
    Marlow ~ Let There Be Light
    +2
    I can't believe she won a Miss Canada competition. Where are their brains?
  • PC Gamer Name "Angry Assassin" 2012/03/28 17:16:05 (edited)
    PC Gamer Name "Angry Assassin"
    +2
    If she lied on the Application, then "Yes, 'Miss Canada' should be disqualified!" It's the same when You lie on a Application for Employment or on one's U.S. Tax Returns. When You sign the Application at the end, you've stated that "everything is True & Correct UNDER PENALTY Of Dismissal (in the case of a Employment Application) or PERJURY (in the case of a U.S. Tax Return)." I don't know why some People can't figure that out. Anyone ever read that Section before they sign it? I Have! If "Jenna Talackova" lied, then "she should get the boot" (Kicked Out)! Now, "she" doesn't realize it, but "she's" going to be "blackballed" (no pun intended) for the rest of "her" Life! You don't commit these Acts because they always get out. Makes me wonder if "She" did this just to deliberately get the Publicity!
  • Tony 2012/03/28 17:06:08
    Tony
    +4
    Aside from the fact that I can't wrap my head around "transgenderism," if the rule book says "natural born female," then that's the way it is until someone decides to re-write the rule book. On to the next non-issue
  • Wahvlvke 2012/03/28 16:42:00
  • Lucy Sparkles :3 2012/03/28 16:09:18
    Lucy Sparkles :3
    +2
    i don't think this is fair at all. the pageant says "Miss.." and, technically, she IS a Miss now, no matter what people say.
  • PC Game... Lucy Sp... 2012/03/28 17:20:40 (edited)
    PC Gamer Name "Angry Assassin"
    +2
    You need to read the Section of the Story: "We couldn't find a digital copy of the Miss Universe Canada requirements, but one official did say that the rules specifically require that each contestant be a "naturally born female." Since "female" denotes chromosomal makeup, there's really no way Talackova can evade it. Perhaps she can present an argument against the rule book for future pageants, but this year she's out of luck." Now, as "Tony" said above said, "On to the next non-issue."
  • Lucy Sp... PC Game... 2012/03/29 12:37:45
    Lucy Sparkles :3
    i wasn't aware that beauty is based on mitochondrial DNA.
  • PC Game... Lucy Sp... 2012/03/29 17:08:45 (edited)
    PC Gamer Name "Angry Assassin"
    Well, if you want a "Biology Lesson," here it goes: If you're a Female, you have the "X X Sex Chromosome." If Male, the "X Y Sex Chromosome" is present. I thought that you may have realized that had You paid attention in "High School Biology 1." That's something that can't be altered by Surgery. This story has nothing to do about "Beauty." You're the one that brought up the word into the discussion, not "SodaHead Celebs." I personally have no problem (Nor do I particularly care) about someone having a "Sex Change." It's not affecting me. That's unless of course, I'm personally dating them & find out about it. Then, I do have a problem with it because they're "Dating me under false pretenses." Also, If you had been paying attention to the Story (which You weren't), the Story was about "Jenna Talackova" being "disqualified & kicked out" of the "Miss Universe" Contest because "she LIED on Her Application." In other words, "She violated the Rules." Not because "she decided to have a Sex Change" or because of the Issue of "Beauty." (An "Irreverent & Non-Issue to the Issue at hand). What you're now doing (and quite deliberately) is what's called "deflection." Meaning you're bringing up something that has nothing to do with an Issue and/or Story at hand because you have nothing substantive to bring to the conversation & all you want to do is argue for the sake of arguing. Like I said before, This story has nothing to do about "Beauty." Now, you want to try again?
  • Lucy Sp... PC Game... 2012/03/30 15:50:29 (edited)
    Lucy Sparkles :3
    Hmm. a BEAUTY contest has nothing to do with BEAUTY.

    and, honey, i don't need a biology lesson. I aced biology in high school. i'm smarter than that. you can just stop.
  • PC Game... Lucy Sp... 2012/03/30 16:57:46 (edited)
    PC Gamer Name "Angry Assassin"
    That's right. Maybe I should "stop" because all you can do is "deflect" because You can't directly answer a question posed to You. You should be the one talking about "stopping." You want to me to stop, Here, you get a "free block." However, before I "block You," I'll leave You with this departing gift: Thank You for proving My Point, "Lucy Sparkles :3." You still haven't commented (touched upon) concerning the "Rule Breaking" Issue of the Story by "Miss Talackova" that I brought up. Not to mention that "she" was born a "He." Obviously, You're one of those types of debaters that continue to "deflect" talking about an Issue instead of directly commenting & directly dealing with the Story. You've consistently brought up the "Beauty defense." If you were as 'smart as You claimed to be,' you would've come up with a better Argument. Rather than a "Piss, poor one (argument). So much for your claim about "aced Biology class." It's like the old saying goes, "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still Bacon, Ham, & Chitterlings on four legs." One other thing! The name's not "honey", "Sweetheart!"
  • jabo Lucy Sp... 2012/03/31 21:10:19
    jabo
    +1
    Loocy... Try thinking with your brain. The rules state that you have to be a natural born woman. Why is it so hard to understand this simple fact? I guess that's the liberal way. Keep lying till you get your way.
  • Ray Senior 2012/03/28 15:11:59 (edited)
  • twjones1966 2012/03/28 15:09:15
    twjones1966
    Could say a lot but why start arguments. In the reality this is a man no matter what a surgeon has done. I say let the rules stand even though I never watch these things because they do nothing but demean a woman.
  • firelooker 2012/03/28 14:59:51
    firelooker
    +3
    The rules say natural born female, She is not, regardless of what she has done to physically change her body she was born a male.
  • Chuck 2012/03/28 14:54:45
    Chuck
    +2
    The "Natural Born Woman" should always be in play, first and foremost.
  • Horace 2012/03/28 14:35:50
    Horace
    +2
    I don't see the issue in letting her compete, if she is physically a women then why not? Personally I don't get these completions in the first place but if you are going to have them and someone is already in the finals they should not be kicked out for this.
  • Sass Horace 2012/03/28 14:42:24
    Sass
    +3
    That person can NEVER be physically a female because that person will NEVER have female DNA. You can alter the package, but God fixed the sex in that person's DNA.
  • Horace Sass 2012/03/28 14:48:56
    Horace
    +3
    who cares, since when has a beauty contest been about mitochondrial dna sequencing? If she was women enough to be a finalist in the pageant then she should be women enough to be judged the same way as everyone else.
  • Fisher 2012/03/28 14:31:20
    Fisher
    +3
    You can never change what God has created. Surgery can changed the outside look but never can change what's inside....
  • Alice Evie 2012/03/28 13:17:39
    Alice Evie
    +2
    totally unfair. if (s)he beleives (s)he has a chance, (s)he sould be allowed to go!!

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