Bailee Ann Kennedy became the first transgender woman to win the title of Miss Maryland USA.
Kennedy, 31, made history when she was crowned at the end of the pageant in Bethesda, Maryland on Saturday, June 1. She is also the first Asian American and military wife to win the title, according to local outlet DC News Now.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, June 4, the pageant queen opened up about how her identity has affected her career and got candid about how she deals with detractors.
“Not everyone has to agree with the space you take up and it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve these opportunities,” she began her post, along with a photo of herself in tears after winning the contest.
“My job for the rest of my life is to help kids who feel the way I do to just be themselves and contribute positively to society and not have to worry about the consequences of being who they are,” she continued.
Edwin Shaw
“For a long time, I didn’t have to tell anybody,” she added, “Not because it’s a secret, but because it’s nobody’s business. The people who are important to me don’t care. The people who want to know such private, intimate details, they don’t care.”
Kennedy, whose husband is a U.S. Marine, has long been a supporter of military spouses and has cited the USO as one of her policy priorities.
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“I can’t wait to kick off my reign, return to the USO office, hand out lunches, and thank our active duty military in person like I originally planned yesterday because it means so much to me,” she concluded her caption.
After her win, she told DC News Now that winning the Miss Maryland USA title was a “whirlwind.”
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“I knew this was bigger than me. I knew this was going to mean a lot to all the LGBTQ kids out there who might not feel like they fit in the box like I did growing up,” she said, adding that she felt full support from a “sisterhood” of her fellow competitors.
Kennedy has also been candid about her age, and she frequently uses another of her platforms to advocate for “beauty with no expiration date.”
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“I’m 31 and I feel more confident. The age limit is 28. As you know, the Miss Universe Organization [has lifted] “We have now lifted the restrictions and all women of all ages can compete,” she told the outlet.
She also said, [her pageant win] It will open doors and open minds to let people know that there are many sides to the LGBT community, and hopefully I can contribute positively to society by making a difference, like the USO program I work with.”
Kennedy will next compete for the Miss USA title on August 4 in Los Angeles.
