A Perth Transgender, Sofiya Cocaina Vergara, was crowned the 4th Miss Transsexual Australia after a very closely-fought pageant held on 2 February 2013 at the Yarraville Club in Melbourne. There were 11 finalists from all over Australia competing for the National Costume, Talent, Swimwear, and Evening Gown categories.
Meanwhile, Gabriella Louise Mendoza of Victoria was crowned Miss Gay Australia 2013 among ten other contenders for the title and the crown.
Last year’s winners Martini Ice – Miss Gay Australia, a Brisbane based drag artist and Vannessa Roberts – Miss Transsexual winner, a Melbourne-based Les Girl, crowned this year’s winners.
The pageant, now on its fourth year, was well attended. Celebrity singer Yshrael Pascual and the Mayor of Marybirnong Council Katherine Cummings graced the event.
Miss Gay and Miss Transexual Australia started in 2009 as an annual alternative beauty pageant for gay men, cross-dressers, drag queens and transsexuals. It is an annual event held in Melbourne to bring awareness for better understanding and acceptance of the transgender and gay community. It is supported by the Midsumma Festival which is Melbourne’s LGBTI’s (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Intersex) month-long celebration.
This year’s pageant theme is Colours of Australia, celebrating the diversity of the Australian culture. It was organised by Gayzha Davao of the Victorian Secrets Promotions.
