First trans teen in Miss England competition leads heat
The first transgender teenager to enter the Miss England competition is leading in her heat of the pageant.
The public vote is open for the heat 4 of the Miss Fresh Photographic competition, which Jackie Green, 18, currently leads with 189 votes.
Green, an aspiring model from Leeds, was the first trans woman to enter the competition, after she was approached by talent scouts at the Next Top Model show in London.
Speaking to the Sun, she said, “Miss England is a prestigious competition. I’d love to win. I’ve as good a chance as anyone.”
She had gender reassignment surgery at 16, after attending school as a girl from the age of 10, but knew she wanted to change gender from the age of four.
She hopes to use the exposure of the competition to raise awareness of bullying and issues surrounding trans people.
Because of bullying, Green attempted suicide five times when she was younger, but is grateful for the support of her mother. She said, “I can never thank my mum enough, she saved my life.”
Voting is open until 6 February, and the winner of each heat will go on to the semi-finals of the Miss England competition later this year.
