Miss Universe Ditching Anti-Trans Rule a Sign of Change in Public Attitudes
by Christin Scarlett Milloy
Note: This article was published in XTRA (slightly edited) as Donald's pageant trumps our legislators on trans rights on April 12th 2012.
http://chrismilloy.ca/2012/04/miss-universe-ditching-anti-trans-rule-a-sign-of-change-in-public-attitudes/In a radio interview with TMZ, after tastelessly bragging about his genitals, Trump discusses his reasons for reinstating Jenna but makes no mention of GLAAD.
"We said she would be able to compete, based on the laws of Canada, and the laws of the United States... So we go by the law, and based on the laws, she's able to compete if she wants to." He continues later: "The law of Canada is very clear, and the law of the United States is very clear on this, and we go by the law."
After tens of thousands of people cried out online against Jenna Talackova's disqualification, the response throughout social media was heavily in Ms Talackova's favour. As the story spread, even mainstream media began to smear the Miss Universe rules as discriminatory, outmoded and unfashionable.
Like any billionaire, Trump chooses words very carefully. By repeating the word "law" a total of seven times, he subtly appeases any offended conservatives in his audience by artfully assigning the impression that the decision was legally foisted upon him, even though that's likely untrue.