First Transgenders' beauty contest held in Chennai

Transgenders from across the country vied for a beauty crown during a contest held here on Saturday. Organised by the Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO), UNAIDS, and Action Aid, it was the first of its kind of contest held in the country.

The contest drew around 150 participants from across the country.

"This is a platform to express the talent and skills of transgenders which has been denied for quite a long time. I also see this as an opportunity for transgenders from across the country to come together and form an informal network and also for the people who are concerned about the issues across the country to come together to initiate a network for improving the quality of transgenders in India," said AJ Hariharan, founder secretary, ICWO, Chennai.

The contest provided the transgenders, usually living on the fringes of society, a chance to come into mainstream.

"I am very happy to take part in the contest and win Miss Transgender title. It motivates me more, and makes me feel good and I want to achieve more things in the coming years," said Karina, winner of the contest.

Apart from the top three winning titles, the contest also crowned winners in 'Miss Beautiful Hair', 'Miss Beautiful Eyes' and 'Miss Beautiful Skin' categories. As in much of the world, transgenders in India often do not fit easily into society, and must put up with harassment and a legal system that criminalizes homosexual acts.