pistoldrew's Blog

In what seems to be the latest in a long line of new shemale beauty pageants, India has hosted its first transsexual beauty pageant, an event that allowed a demographic often relegated to the shadows to take center stage. Some 120 hopefuls from across the country battled it out to become the first transsexual "Miss India," the news agency Agence France-Presse reported.

The pageant, which drew contestants ranging in age from 20 to 35 to the southern city of Chennai, was organized by the Indian Community Welfare Organization, a gay-rights advocacy group. In addition to the grand prize, awards were handed out recognizing Miss Beautiful Hair, Miss Beautiful Eyes and Miss Beautiful Skin, the news agency reported. Kareena, a 25-year-old model from Mumbai, snagged the contest's top honor. Romi, a 23-year-old beautician from Manipur, came in second. Third place went to Padmini, 25, a dance instructor - and hometown favorite.

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