In 2021, Kataluna Enriquez was the first transgender woman to compete in a USA pageant. Now, Bella Bautista will become the first openly transgender woman to compete for the Miss Georgia USA title.
Bautista is from Cartersville, GA, and according to NBC affiliate WAFF48, is currently Miss Buckhead USA but is dreaming bigger.
“I was like, this could honestly be a true reality for me. This dream could one day come true. And just because there hasn’t been a first in Georgia, I could be that first,” Bautista said.
Bautista says that the journey has not been easy for the public to accept, especially on social media.
In less than 30 minutes, it received over a thousand responses from people who stated things like “I shouldn’t be in this world,” “I’m just a man,” “I’m mentally ill,” and “I don’t belong in this pageant,” Bautista claimed.
Bautista, a cheerleader, voiced her opinion when the Georgia legislature decided to proceed with prohibiting transgender women from participating in women’s sports.
“Being a cheerleader makes me happy, so it’s heartbreaking to know that the elected officials are taking away my civil rights and opportunity for happiness,” she added.
“I’m simply going to register. I will wish for the best and hope that I receive fair treatment and a fair grade,” she stated.
On June 12, 2025, the competition will get underway.