Today’s dose of news to make you smile comes out of New Hampshire, USA, where student Brían Nguyen has become Miss America’s first transgender contestant to win a local pageant.
Brían won the title of Miss Greater Derry and will now vie to be crowned Miss New Hampshire in 2023.
Brían, who studies business management and is also a social media influencer, announced the news on Instagram, saying she was ‘honoured’.
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Watch the moment Brían was crowned below:
Brían wrote: “In the 100 year history of Miss America, I have officially become the FIRST transgender titleholder within the Miss America Organization.”
She added: “No words can describe the feeling of having the opportunity to serve my community and represent my community for the very first time at Miss New Hampshire.
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“I am so honoured to be crowned your new Miss Greater Derry 2023, and I am thrilled to show you all what I have up my sleeves. This will be an amazing year.”
Brían’s followers were quick to congratulate her, with many writing: “Congratulations,” beneath her post.
Another person added: “Wow wow so well deserved! It’s about time!” while someone else echoed: “Congratulations! Excited to watch your year unfold!”
“Yes! Congratulations to you and this massive accomplishment. Keep breaking those boundaries and I'm excited to see flourish in this organisation!” gushed another social media user.
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Another Instagrammer penned: “Do not listen to anyone who has something nasty to say about you or your well deserved win, you are amazing!! Congratulations.”
They were referring to the disturbing number of transphobic comments that had piled up beneath Brían’s post.
Many of those commenting accused Brían of ‘taking opportunities away from female contestants’ and said the beauty pageant had ‘gone woke’.
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Tyla has approached Brían for comment.
In response, the brave teenager has been promoting her campaign #QueensAreEverywhere.
By using the hashtag, social media users can share their own stories of discrimination and how they’ve overcome prejudice.
Promoting the hashtag, Brían said: “#QueensAreEverywhere is about promoting visibility through acceptance and love for ALL women. Making Miss America and beyond a safe space for everyone including transgender women is imperative to my mission as an advocate.
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“We want all current, former, and future sisters to feel loved, accepted, and free of any insecurity of their being.”
She added: “No one should ever feel alone or ostracised due to hate and cyber bullying. Take the pledge to end hate and build a kinder, safer, and more compassionate world.”
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Aisha Nozari