It’s 2021 and it’s time to broaden the understanding of beauty pageants by bringing in greater inclusivity. As we celebrate pride month, the queer communities have another reason to jubilate as Miss Diva 2021 has expanded its parameters for participating in the competition.

According to the pageant, the understanding of beauty is not only shifting but evolving in the current world. Helping transwomen take one step towards a changing world, Miss Diva 2021 will be inviting transwomen to participate in the pageant.

“We as an organisation would want to lead by example when it comes to incorporating diversity and inclusivity. Transwomen across the world have led exemplary lives full of stories that are not only inspiring but full of grit. They’ve participated in beauty pageants and we as a nation must also acknowledge their rights as we do for anyone else,” Natasha Grover – head of Miss India Organization, told Opoyi.

This is not the first time that a transwoman was allowed to take part in a beauty competition. The Miss Universe competition lifted a ban on transgender contestants in 2021 with Angela Pince, who was crowned Miss Universe Spain, becoming the first transgender woman to participate in the 2018 competition.

India’s Adline Castelino, who participated in the Miss Diva 2020 and was the third runner-up at the recently-held Miss Universe 2020, said that the country has to grow a lot more in terms of equality for women.

The 22-year-old added that it’s important for a nation’s progress to focus on women and give them equal status.

“I would love to see more women leaders in politics, in business, in boardroom meetings. As a young girl, I remember looking at this photo where there were only men in the boardrooms and plastic water bottles but not a single woman,” Castelino told Opoyi.

“So, having women in these positions is really important and being a young girl who was really yearning to see women leader and to relate to her, I think it’s very important for our next generation,” she added.

With this step, India has now joined Spain, Canada, Nepal, South Africa and among others, in encouraging transwomen to pursue their aspirations.