The "Natural Born" Case

I have been reading a lot about Jenna Talackova who was recently disqualified from the Miss Universe Canada competition. On their website it is written that she was disqualified "because she did not meet the requirements to compete despite having stated otherwise on her entry form." Many news articles/blog posts on the internet are making it sound as though she was disqualified because she is transgendered (although I can't find proof of that anywhere).

While you cannot see Jenna's profile anymore, I took a brief look at a few of the profiles on the Miss Universe Canada website. The majority of the girls come from supportive families, have university degrees or are in progress, travel the world, and seem to do little philanthropic work. To apply you have to submit a face photo, and a swimsuit photo.

So... what exactly is Miss Universe Canada looking for? What are these women judged on? Can't find the answers to these questions on the website. 

In the spirit of what I am trying to promote with this blog, shouldn't inner beauty be way more important than outer beauty? DTowner wrote a comment on thestar.com in reply to their article about Jenna: "...Naturally born female? Fine. But, then, do we exclude women who wear make-up? Wigs? False eyelashes, bras? None of these are 'natural'. Shaving body hair? Not 'natural', and all very cultural. So, what is natural and what is unnatural?"

Maybe I just don't understand the reasoning behind pageants. Maybe I'm crazy for thinking that what people do makes them more beautiful than what they look like. 

Stay Beautiful,
Lisa

UPDATE: April 6 2012

Jenna has been invited back to the competition and they will be changing their rules to include transgendered individuals  "provided she meets the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and the standards established by other international competitions"

Excellent! I was very happy to hear this :) 

DramaWay - Enriching Lives Through Creativity

In January I talked about Ability Theatre, which enables children and youth with special needs to express themselves using drama. This company is located in Vancouver, and I recently heard about DramaWay, a company with a similar mission, located in Toronto. 

DramaWay has programs for children and youth who are interested in visual arts, singing, drama, leadership, film, and music. The programs encourage the development of self-confidence, communication and social skills, focus and concentration, creative expression, vocal health, listening and aural perception skills, self-discipline, and self-awareness. There are programs for individuals and for schools and organizations.

On June 16th, DramaWay will be presenting an adapted version of Peter Pan in The PaperMill Theater in Toronto - the first time they will be performing in a full theatre! Check out the facebook event and see if you will be in Toronto to celebrate and support the company and the performers!

Amazing companies like DramaWay and Ability Theatre can bring so much to someone who wouldn't have the opportunity without them. Thank you for continuing to work so hard to make life better for children and youth with special needs!

Visit the DramaWay website here!

Like their facebook page!

Stay Beautiful,

Lisa