People magazine is reporting that Anita Green, a transgender “woman,” is competing this weekend in the Miss Montana USA Pageant. The winner of the pageant goes on to complete in the Miss USA pageant.
“I wanted to do something that I thought would be fun and challenging, and this certainly has been challenging for me,” Green tells People. “This also gives me an opportunity for my voice to be heard.”
Green became the first transgender delegate from Montana in 2016, casting a vote for Bernie Sanders at the Democratic National Convention.
Talking to Mic.com, Green explained that the motivation to enter the pageant came largely from the election of Donald Trump: “I thought about it for a couple of years but I just wasn’t sure I was ready for it. But I can definitely tell you that when Trump was elected into office, I knew that I needed to step up and do this. I was so nervous about this but I knew that I needed to compete. I wanted to be a positive role model in the community and instill a sense of hope within the trans community and give them some positive news.”
Green, 26, added, “I really want my thoughts be heard. I have a progressive message that I want to get across to people and bring forth some change. I hope that transgender women competing in pageants ultimately shows people that we are women and that we really should be respected as people.”
Green is from from Missoula.