Transsexual Miss World contest aims to boost awareness

[Butterfly]

Transsexual Miss World contest aims to boost awareness
The Age Australia
By DANNY KEMP
November 2, 2009 - 11:09AM


http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/transsexual-miss-world-contest-aims-to-boost-awareness-20091102-hsc1.html


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 Ai told AFP minutes after the previous title holder carefully placed a faux-diamond tiara on her head.