NPR
At this international pageant, trans women
around the world blend beauty with activism
Three days before the start of the Miss Trans Global pageant, Chedino takes a break from sewing her national costume by going for a walk in the Riverside Nature Reserve in Guildford, U.K..
Miss France, Kevhoney Scralett in her swimwear, backstage at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K.
Chedino on the first day of the Miss Trans Global pageant, backstage at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K.
Miss England, Vivienne Melanie Mesias in her swimwear, backstage at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K.
Chedino and her fellow Miss Trans Global contestants use the Underground's Piccadilly line to travel to central London for a sightseeing trip. From left: Miss France, Kevhoney Scarlett; Miss Nigeria, Alexandra Etim; Miss South Africa Chedino Rodriguez Martin; and Miss Thailand, Piano Sarocha Akaros.
Miss Canada, Diana Dee Barrera, in her quinceañera ball gown, backstage at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K.
Chedino slums on the Queen’s throne during a 5hrs crowning marathon on the pageant’s final day, at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K.
Miss Scotland, Jessy Tusi Hardy, in her quinceañera ball gown, backstage at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, U.K.
written by Nick Schönfeld
1 quinceañera ball gown with crown; 1 black cocktail dress for introduction, 1 colorful cocktail dress with hat; 1 talent costume and 1 national costume; 1 indoor interview outfit; 1 black swimsuit; 1 metal boned waist corset; 1 pair of blue jeans and a white top for a tour of London; 1 long glamorous preliminary dress; and 1 long glamorous gown for the grand final.
Chedino Martin — a trans activist from Cape Town, South Africa, and the first ever Miss Trans Africa — looked at the piles of carefully folded outfits on her bed and wondered if she'd forgotten anything. Then she remembered her makeup, wigs, jewelry, shoes and a few precious comforts from home.
Together with her designer, Chedino had spent two months and more than 40,000 rand (approximately $2,100) designing and making the gowns, dresses and outfits for what she considered the crowning achievement of her 20-year pageant career: competing in Miss Trans Global 2023, an international advocacy pageant for transgender women…