Portuguese Marina Machete is already in El Salvador to participate in the 72nd Miss Universe pageant. The winner of the Miss Portugal pageant has already taken the stage where one of more than 90 contestants will be crowned on November 18.
In her chosen outfit, Marina Machete will clearly convey Portuguese colors. The participant chose a dress inspired by engravings commemorating the implantation of the Republic in 1910.
“Coincidentally my coronation [como Miss Portugal] it was 113 years ago [da Implantação da República]. This symbolizes the liberation of the nation in a new era,” he wrote on social networks.
Marina further explained that the clothes were created by “queer artists” from Lisbon. “This is all I ever wanted, to represent the resilient and strong people of my country,” he added.
Controversial victory
The victory of a woman who became the first transgender person to win and take part in the Miss Portugal competition has caused a lot of controversy.
The most discussed reaction was from Miguel Sousa Tavares, who expressed his dissatisfaction with the conquest of Marina. “I don’t think it’s legal for a transsexual to participate in a women’s beauty pageant. The competition should not allow it,” he said.
Joana Amaral Dias also criticized the victory and noted: “The Miss Portugal competition was won by a man. A man disguised as a woman, or wearing a mask, or undergoing surgery. But a man. Anyone who is born with XY chromosomes and who, no matter how aesthetically pleasing it may be, no matter how many operations he undergoes, XY will die.”