“Throughout its 67-year history, the Miss Universe contest has never seen a trans contestant, until now.

“Spain’s Angela Ponce — an activist and model — took to the contest’s Bangkok stage in a first that some see as a show of force against discrimination widely faced within the trans community.

“On the contest’s website, Ms Ponce says she wants to “spread tolerance and respect towards oneself and others globally” if given the crown.

“At home, she works for the Daniela Foundation, a Spanish non-profit organisation working to eradicate the stigma trans children face.”

Read more at ABC