Gloria Diaz against single moms, married women, transwomen joining Miss Universe: 'Dapat may sarili silang contest'
Gloria Diaz has shared her two cents about the Miss Universe organization's decision to allow single mothers, pregnant, married, divorced, and trans women to compete in the prestigious pageant.
In a recent interview with entertainment site PUSH, Gloria said that such women should not be allowed to join Miss Universe as it would not be in line with the name of the competition itself, "Edi dapat, 'Universe' na lang, huwag nang 'Miss.' Kasi, hindi na 'Miss' yon, 'di ba? Dapat 'Universe.'"
The Philippines' first Miss Universe winner clarified, however, that this is merely her personal opinion on the matter, saying that these women should instead have their own contest.
"[M]y personal opinion—which is not to be taken in the negative way—dapat may sarili silang contest. May Mrs. Universe, may Lesbian Universe, may Transgender Universe," Gloria told the entertainment outlet.
"There is room for so much. Oo, mga category na ganoon, ganyan. Tapos, kasi even sa Mrs. Universe, andaming magaganda diyan na nanganak na. Okay lang yun," she added.
The new eligibility requirement was announced in August last year through a memo from Miss Universe CEO Amy Emmerich that was forwarded to national directors.
"Effective with the 72nd Miss Universe competition and national preliminary competitions leading up to it, women who are or have been married, as well as women who are pregnant or have children, will be able to compete," the email read.
This is a significant development for the overall nature of the pageant as titleholders were previously stripped of their crowns for bearing a child.
As for transwomen, they had already been made eligible to compete since 2013, brought about by media outcry when Canadian contestant Jenna Talackova was disqualified from the contest because she was not a "naturally born female."
"It’s hard. It’s a very new idea na sa akin… not very acceptable," Gloria said. "Dapat kanya-kanya! At least it gives people more chances, 'di ba? Kasi, you’re representing this country. Eh, kung may mas magandang babae, o mas magandang transgender… mas mahirap kalaban ang transgender."
The first openly transgender contestant to join the global Miss Universe contest was Miss Spain Ángela Maria Ponce Camacho back in 2018. When asked about her reaction to this, Gloria said: "Hindi ito acceptable sa akin. Kasi dapat may sarili silang contest. Not that I’m ostracizing them, but they’re good at some things eh."
She then compared this to the issue of how transgender athletes are now being subjected to controversy.
"Hindi ba ngayon ang isyu, yung transvestite kuno na athlete, sasali sa competition ng babae? 'Di ba, that’s a big issue ngayon Parang you can never be, you can never be. You’ll always be stronger. So, siya nga ang nanalo sa swimming. Hindi ba that’s all over the internet na it’s unfair?"
"Ang lakas niya, at ang wingspan, ang laki! And then it’s very uncomfortable being in the dressing room with them, 'di ba, 'yon,” she added.
The Miss Universe Philippines is set to hold the national costume competition and the preliminary rounds on May 4 and 10, respectively. Three single mothers, including Eileen Gonzales, Clare Dacanay, and Joemay-An Leo, are among the candidates vying for the highly coveted MUPh crown on May 10. The winner will represent the Philippines in El Salvador at the 72nd Miss Universe tilt this year.