Here’s a fact sure to raise eyebrows: The recent Miss Maryland competition was won by a transgender woman – a biological man – named Mr. Bailey Anne Kennedy. Yes, we’ve watched men conquer spots in women’s sports, pushing deserving women to the side. Now, they’re doing the same thing in beauty pageants.
Bailey Anne Kennedy, a 31-year-old “Proud Military Wife,” was announced the new Miss Maryland USA 2024 on their Instagram page. Kennedy, married to his husband since 2019, is also active with the U.S. Military’s United Service Organizations (USO), striving to uplift troop morale.
Kennedy’s triumph, however, implies that the exclusive space created for women is gradually being occupied by men who identify as women. Reinforcing this, after winning, Kennedy stated that not everyone might agree with the spaces one occupies, yet that shouldn’t affect one’s sense of worthiness. A magnanimous statement, but coming from a man who’s now taking an opportunity from a woman, it might feel a bit inappropriate to some.
In a conversation with DC News Now, Kennedy expressed excitement, indicating that the win was “bigger than” him and would matter immensely to the LGBTQ kids who feel they don’t quite fit in specific categories. Kennedy also hopes his triumph will “open up some doors, open up some hearts,” about the broader aspects of the LGBT community.
Come August 4, 2024, Los Angeles will host Kennedy in the Miss USA pageant. But the repercussions of this achievement could extend beyond the pageant challenging the norms of interaction. Former Miss Maryland winners have actively engaged with young kids during their reign, be it posing with children at events like the Annual Kids Crushing Cancer, or visiting schools for children with learning disabilities.
The issue here isn’t the interaction itself, but the public spotlight it shines on transgender identity, which may not be developmentally appropriate for preschool-aged children to grapple with. For instance, critics have expressed concern over Kennedy’s exposure to young girls as a Miss Maryland USA pageant, arguing it may inadvertently present complex sexual politics to a young, impressionable audience.
Regrettably, this isn’t the first instance of a man claiming the crown in a women’s beauty pageant. We’ve had men walk away with the Miss Valley Isle USA, Miss Portugal, and Miss Netherlands titles previously. In light of these events, it begs the question of whether we are watching the destabilization of spaces specifically created for women in our society. Where does this leave the women who once considered these platforms their own?
As we tread into these uncharted territories, it’s essential to remember that every bold move comes with its repercussions. It’s time to ponder whether we’re ready for the potential societal consequences of these changing norms.
