Miss Georgia USA’s first trans contestant spends her free time fighting anti-trans bills

In a groundbreaking event, Bella Bautista is set to participate in the 2025 Miss Georgia USA pageant, marking a significant moment for trans visibility in mainstream beauty contests, traditionally governed by conventional standards of femininity.

“I’m happy that it’s me because I know that I’m gonna present something good on stage,” Bautista, the reigning Miss Buckhead USA, told LGBTQ Nation, “and I know deep inside, I’m going to put my all into this pageant and bring the best representation.”

Historically, beauty pageants have excluded transgender women, reinforcing a limited notion of womanhood. Platforms like Miss International Queen and Miss Trans Global offer dedicated stages for transgender women, but mainstream inclusion still poses challenges. The 2012 decision by the Miss Universe Organization to permit transgender contestants marked a turning point, gradually leading to inclusion in national contests (the 2024 Miss Universe pageant featured two transgender contestants for the first time). Kataluna Enriquez's appearance in Miss USA 2021 as the first openly trans entrant on that stage also indicated progress.

According to ‘LGBTQ Nation’, at 22, Bautista is not only a beauty queen but also a fierce advocate for trans rights. She has leveraged her platform and connections with state lawmakers to oppose anti-trans legislation, especially laws targeting trans athletes (she's a former collegiate cheerleader). Recently, she testified before the Georgia Senate against proposed restrictions on transgender girls in sports. “Strutting through The Georgia Capitol with purpose,” she wrote on social media. “My existence is not up for debate.”

Bautista is also deeply involved in community engagement. She works as an intern at The Global Trans Equity Project and founded "This Doesn’t Define Me," an initiative aimed at empowering transgender women and youth. Her entry in Miss Georgia USA is not just a personal achievement but part of a broader movement advocating for inclusivity in areas traditionally confined to cisgender women, combating stereotypes that misrepresent transgender women.

“What I’m most afraid of right now is being painted as the ‘token trans,’ which I refuse to be limited to,” Bautista said. “This has even had an impact on finding sponsors. It’s weird because, as trans people, our brand quickly and, rather unfortunately, I think, becomes being trans, and some people are gonna be all for that, but others are gonna be against it. Ultimately, I am so much more than just trans, and I want to express that we are multi-faceted people.”

Pageantry goes beyond displaying beauty—it serves as a cultural platform that influences public perceptions of femininity and womanhood. Bautista’s participation challenges outdated norms and emphasises that transgender women have a rightful place in these spaces. Representation in media and public platforms is crucial in shaping social attitudes. For trans individuals, visibility can dismantle stereotypes, reduce prejudice, and provide role models for those navigating their identities.

“When I was younger, I never imagined seeing someone like me in these spaces, let alone being that person,” Bautista said. “I hope my story helps girls, both cisgender and transgender, know that they are just as worthy and beautiful as anyone else. Pageants should reflect the diversity of real women, and that includes trans women.”