Trans activist Bella Bautista makes history as first-ever trans contestant of Miss Georgia USA

Trans activist Bella Bautista is to make history as the first-ever trans contestant of Miss Georgia USA after winning the coveted Miss Buckhead USA title.

The 22-year-old, who is preparing to compete in the upcoming Miss Georgia USA pageant from June 12, recently shared her uncertainty about how she will be received in the competition, expressing hope that she will be treated equally and judged fairly.

Bautista has been actively involved in advocacy, testifying before the Georgia Senate Committee on Education and Youth against a bill that would ban trans athletes from competing in school sports. Although the Georgia Senate passed the bill, it still awaits a vote in the House.

Speaking to Georgia Voice, a publication focused on Georgia’s LGBTQ+ community, Bautista said: “I didn’t think I was going to get in because there had never been a transgender contestant before. Going into it, I was very uneasy, but I was authentic and honest.

“I’m going into a space where I’m not sure how the treatment or reaction is going to be, but all I can hope for and pray for is that I’m treated equally and I’m scored fairly.”