Trans model Daniela Arroyo González has made history in Miss Universe contest

For the first time ever, a trans woman will compete in the Puerto Rico Miss Universe contest. 

Model Daniela Arroyo González is making a huge step forward for the trans community, after failing to qualify the first time she tried. If she wins, she will represent her country in the Miss Universe global pageant.

Only one trans woman has competed in the global pageant thus far – after trans contestants were allowed to enter from 2012, Spanish contestant Ángela Maria Ponce Camacho competed in 2018.

González has opened up about how this achievement feels in a recent Instagram video, after thanking her fans for their support.

“Let’s make history together. The emotion and pride I feel at this moment overwhelms me with joy,” she said. “Having the courage to dream big and follow your heart always leads us to success or, in the best case, it leads us to change the world into a better one… 

“It’s time to show how far we can go. This is my time.”

Daniela has done some pretty incredible work before this – she founded the Puerto Rico Trans Youth Coalition, which is a support group that helps young trans people across Puerto Rico.

She also has lobbied the country’s government to allow trans people to change their gender on their legal documents.

“[Daniela] wishes to live in a less polarised society, where differences can be appreciated and embraced as something positive that unites, instead of something that separates,” the organisers of Miss Universe have said in a statement.

This comes after a trans woman became the latest owner of the Miss Universe, making history herself as until then the contest had always been owned – and therefore, in some way, dominated – by men.

Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip took the stage at this year’s competition to talk about this turning point in history.