"Rodríguez Velázquez stated, 'I am living a dream,' emphasizing her resilience against the anti-trans remarks. She mentioned, 'you gradually build that shell to keep moving forward.'"
"Thomas Rivera Schatz, president of Puerto Rico's Senate, expressed his disapproval in a Facebook post, calling it a 'shame and disgrace' for trans women to participate in the pageant."
Gabriel Rodríguez Velázquez, a contestant in the 2026 Miss Universe Puerto Rico pageant, is the second out trans woman to participate. Since her announcement, she has faced significant online hate, including transphobic remarks from social media influencers and conservative politicians. Notably, Thomas Rivera Schatz, president of Puerto Rico's Senate, publicly criticized her participation. Despite the backlash, Rodríguez Velázquez remains determined to compete and has expressed her commitment to representing trans women positively in the pageant while pursuing her dreams of acting and artistry.
#miss-universe-puerto-rico #transgender-representation #online-hate #gabriel-rodriguez-velazquez #lgbtq
Read at Advocate.com
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