Pageantry has always been about uplifting and celebrating women—real women who have navigated the distinct challenges and defining experiences that shape what womanhood is.
Now that is being threatened with a biological man, Bella Bautista, who plans to be the first transgender person to compete at Miss Georgia USA in June. Allowing biological men in women’s pageantry diminishes the very purpose of these competitions: to celebrate and uplift real women.
And this comes as the Georgia House, Congress, and other states push to protect women’s sports, ensuring that real women do not have to compete against biological men.
Just last year, I had the life-changing opportunity to compete at Miss Georgia USA as a mother and wife. Miss USA and its parent organization, Miss Universe, are the most well-known pageant systems in the world, and they recently opened up their competitions to all ages, mothers, and wives.
Competing in a state Miss USA pageant as a mom was already a challenge, but allowing biological men who transitioned in a place that is meant to celebrate women raises real concerns about fairness and comfort—especially when we had to share a changing room together.
If the dressing room situation this year will be anything like it was at Miss Georgia USA last year, where we all had to change in front of each other, I could not imagine undressing in front of a biological man. The only man I’m comfortable changing in front of is my husband.
Last year, Miss Georgia USA happened two weeks after a biological man won Miss Maryland USA, making me wonder if I would face the same situation. After all, the ladies at Miss Maryland USA had no idea that the winner was transgender until after this person won.
During the competition and rehearsals at Miss Georgia USA, I decided as much as possible that I would change in a back corner, behind all the other ladies’ garment bags and luggage, unless I really needed help getting dressed just to ensure my privacy in case a biological man was present. In addition, we also shared a space with the Miss Georgia Teen USA contestants, who are mostly minors.
This year, the situation raises even greater concerns—not only will a biological man likely be changing in front of adult women but also minors.
Let's be clear—this is not the fault of Greenwood Productions, which operates Miss Georgia USA along with two other state Miss USA pageants. Miss Universe is owned by a biological man, and both Miss USA and Miss Universe have had transgender contestants.
This is also not meant to be an attack on Bautista. While we may have our disagreements, I have no doubt that Bautista is a kind and genuine person.
Besides the efforts to diminish the achievements of real women, I remember an emcee during the Miss Georgia USA competition suggesting that Miss USA and state pageants drop “Miss” from their names—yet another move that seems aimed at erasing women and their spaces.
More women in pageantry need to speak out against the unfairness of allowing biological men to compete in female spaces and efforts to erase us.
This isn’t about denying anyone’s identity—it’s about preserving opportunities for women, upholding the integrity of the competition, and honoring the meaning of womanhood. Until there is change, I have decided to only compete in pageants that do not allow biological men.
More women in pageantry need to speak out on social media, write op-eds, and talk to the media about their experiences in pageantry, and push back against the erasure of real women.
By speaking out, women in pageantry can push back against biological men in female spaces and challenge the growing efforts to redefine and erase womanhood. This is not about being divisive, but it is about preserving the integrity of pageants and ensuring the safety of women.
Silence and complacency will only allow these changes to continue unchecked. More women must step forward with courage and conviction, standing up not just for themselves but for future generations of girls who deserve to have spaces that are truly their own.
I remain dedicated to preserving the authenticity of pageantry and advocating for the restoration of its original purpose. I will continue to speak out for change in influential pageants like Miss Universe and Miss USA, as well as encourage other ladies to stand for fairness.
Pageantry should uplift and empower real women, and I’m dedicated to ensuring it remains a space where we are recognized, valued, and respected.
Frances Floresca is a freelance policy analyst and reporter who has been featured in the Washington Examiner, Townhall, the Daily Signal, and the Daily Wire. She has also appeared as a guest on Fox News Radio, One America News Network, Salem News Channel, and Real America's Voice. Frances also participated in the Miss Georgia USA pageant—a preliminary competition to Miss USA and Miss Universe.
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