Jenna Talackova creates history after becoming the first transgendered Miss Universe contestant.
5. Transgendered contestant Jenna Talackova takes part in Miss Universe Canada competition in Toronto May 17, 2012.
Her disqualification had then sparked commentary on the Internet and cable television news shows about the boundaries of gender identification, civil liberties and the rights of private organizations to set their own rules.
1. The Miss Universe pageant has changed its rules and has allowed transgender women to take part in all of its competitions following follows a media outcry over the disqualification of Canadian contestant Jenna Talackova from the Miss Universe Canada contest because she was not a "naturally born female."
2. Talackova 23, who underwent gender reassignment surgery when she was 19, was reinstated to the Canadian competition by businessman Donald Trump, who owns the Miss Universe organization. Talackova has a Canadian passport, driver's license and other documents that identify her as a woman.
3. The winner of that contest, who ultimately will be crowned on May 19 in Toronto, will go on to represent Canada in the global Miss Universe Pageant later in the year.
4. Transgendered contestant Jenna Talackova takes part in Miss Universe Canada competition while wearing her bikini in Toronto May 17, 2012.
5. Transgendered contestant Jenna Talackova takes part in Miss Universe Canada competition in Toronto May 17, 2012.
Transgendered contestant Jenna Talackova takes part in Miss Universe Canada competition while wearing her bikini in Toronto May 17, 2012.
Transgendered contestant Jenna Talackova (2nd R) takes part in Miss Universe Canada competition while wearing her bikini in Toronto May 17, 2012. Talackova was originally disqualified from the Miss Universe Canada contest because she was not a "naturally born female".
Transgendered contestant Jenna Talackova (L) takes part in Miss Universe Canada competition in Toronto May 17, 2012.
Talackova, 23, was kicked out of the Miss Universe Canada competition after she was selected as one of 65 finalists. In throwing her out, pageant organizers accused Talackova of having "falsified her application when she said she was born female," adding that the
Her disqualification had then sparked commentary on the Internet and cable television news shows about the boundaries of gender identification, civil liberties and the rights of private organizations to set their own rules.