BALTIMORE (AP) — The new Miss Maryland USA made history on June 1 by becoming the first Asian American to win the crown at the annual pageant and the first transgender woman to earn the name Miss Maryland.
Bailey Anne Kennedy, 31, raised in the county, who is competing in her first pageant, now holds the crown and represents Maryland in the Miss USA pageant.
Transgender women have been allowed to compete in the pageants since 2013, but this year a rule that prohibited people over the age of 28 from participating in the pageant was removed.
Kennedy says the past few weeks have been a whirlwind and that he didn’t think he’d get past the 18 most sensible, let alone the 15 most sensible.
“As Asians, we were raised to be humble and grateful for each and every opportunity,” Kennedy said. “So at that moment I cried and thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m doing something wonderful for the community. ‘”
Kennedy grew up watching the Miss USA pageants. Miss Universe, so those occasions hold a special place in her heart; She says earning the name is an honor that surpasses her as an individual.
“To be the first Miss Maryland USA to bring together all those facets of what it means to have extraordinary confidence, it means everything to me,” Kennedy said. “I don’t take it lightly, it’s a great honor. ”
Kennedy’s preference for victory was fueled by the concept of representing his communities as productively as possible.
Although, he says, he has put in a lot of effort, now that he holds the title, he just wants to highlight his communities.
“I hope I can make a great contribution to society so that we no longer look at the LGBTQIA network in a negative light,” Kennedy said. “Minority women will be able to see me, see themselves, and see their image reflected through my journey. ”
Kennedy will compete in Miss USA in August and hopes to advance and reach Miss UniverseArray
She is also a wife of the army and plans to use her platform on behalf of army wives.