The 2021 Miss Nevada winner is the first transgender woman crowned in the pageant's history
Kataluna Enriquez, 27, was named Miss Nevada 2021 on Sunday.
She is the first openly transgender woman to win in the pageant's history, according to People.
She'll now go on to compete in the Miss USA pageant.
A transgender woman was crowned Miss Nevada for the first time in the pageant's history on Sunday, as reported by People.
Kataluna Enriquez, 27, competed against 21 other contestants at the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada. She wore a formfitting evening dress covered in rainbow-colored sequins for the event's preliminary competition, and said on Instagram that the dress was meant to represent Pride Month and "all of those who don't get a chance to spread their colors."
Enriquez will now go on to compete in the Miss USA pageant, according to People, and she'll become the first openly transgender woman to participate in the competition.
After being crowned over the weekend, Enriquez reflected on her victory in an Instagram post. She first thanked the women she's worked with throughout her pageant career and the sponsors who supported her. The 2021 Miss Nevada winner then gave a shout-out to the LGBTQ community.
"Huge thank you to everyone who supported me from day one," Enriquez wrote in her Instagram post. "My community, you are always in my heart. My win is our win. We just made history. Happy pride. @missnvusa @missusa ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 "
Ahead of the pageant, Enriquez shared a photo of herself surrounded by hateful and transphobic comments people have sent her way online.
Enriquez, who is also a healthcare admin, business owner, and fashion designer, according to the Miss Silver State Instagram page, said she posted the photo to show "representation."
"Because of hate, people would rather die than be who they are. I was one of them," she wrote. "But I am no longer a victim, I am warrior. #Bevisible ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜"
Representatives for Kataluna Enriquez did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Read the original article on Insider
