Miss Canada disqualified,born as man p-4 updated - Page 3

• Knew she was female at four
• Began hormone therapy at 14
• Sexual reassignment surgery in 2010

By Mike Raptis

VANCOUVER — Vancouver's Jenna Talackova was everything Miss Universe Canada was looking for when she was selected among 65 finalists for the 2012 competition, to be held in Toronto in May.

But the Donald Trump–owned beauty pageant has confirmed that the 23-year-old has been disqualified from the competition.

The reason, Talackova claims, is she was born male.

"She did not meet the requirements to compete despite having stated otherwise on her entry form," stated a Miss Universe Canada release.

"We do, however, respect her goals, determination and wish her the best," it concludes, without specifying what requirements she did not meet.

Talackova set the blogosphere abuzz earlier this week after it was discovered she began hormone therapy at 14 and had sexual reassignment surgery in 2010.

Her profile and photos from the pageant's website have been removed.

The statuesque blond said Friday she needs to speak to her lawyer before taking part in interviews but claims her disqualification is a "human rights" issue.

"All I can say is that they disqualified me because I am not 'natural born,'" Talackova said. "(That) doesn't make sense because since I was conscious I always felt this way."

But Talackova has made statements online over Twitter about being "disqualified for being born."

By March 18, she had apparently already been told by Miss Universe Canada her place in the competition was in jeopardy.

"Still waiting to know if I'm able to compete … praying and fingers crossed," she Tweeted that day.

Two days later, she got the news.

"I'm disqualified, however I'm not giving up," she wrote, defiantly. "I'm not going to just let them disqualify me over discrimination."

Responses to her plight posted online have been mixed.

Some have welcomed her inclusion in the competition, while others believe such pageants are for women born as women.

Miss Universe Canada contestants must meet a basic requirement of being a Canadian citizen and between the ages of 18 and 27 to compete.

They also must not be married, pregnant, and have to fill out a more comprehensive form if they meet the basic requirements.

There is no mention of rules regarding sex-changes or cosmetic surgery.

Talackova has been rather open about her transsexual past online.

During an interview for a transsexual beauty pageant in Thailand — Miss International Queen 2010 — the Canadian representative refers to herself as "a woman, with a history."

That history includes recognizing herself as a female since the age of four and beginning hormone therapy when she was 14.

This video from Miss International shows Talackova at the 8-minute mark