Nov 1, 2009
Transsexual contest for awareness
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Lifestyle/Story/STIStory_449074.htmlPATTAYA - SHIMMERING in a tight gold evening gown, a Japanese television host wept and called for greater tolerance as she was crowned the world's most beautiful transsexual at a pageant in Thailand.
Haruna Ai, 37, beat off stiff competition from 20 other glamorous contestants at the Miss International Queen 2009 who came to the Thai beach resort of Pattaya from as far as Brazil and the United States.
'I am very, very, very happy,' a tearful Miss Ai told AFP minutes after the previous title holder carefully placed a faux-diamond tiara on her head. 'I want contests like this to show everyone that they should love each other and live freely. The way of life in Japan is more traditional and transsexuals cannot live freely, but in Thailand they can do what they want.'
also
JAPANESE WIN "ANGEL OF TALENT" AT MISS INTERNATIONAL QUEEN 2009
http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000010827A Japanese contestant easily took out first place to win the "Angel of Talent" contest, which is part of the "Miss International Queen 2009" week that has attracted world-wide attention. This is one of several functions held in the run up to the grand final judging, which will be held at the "Tiffany Theatre" in north Pattaya on the night of Saturday 31st October.
and
Miss International Queen 2009 contest
http://www.pattayapeople.com/default.asp?Folder=16&IdArticle=19775
