
The Miss Maine pageant is garnering significant attention this year as it welcomes its first transgender contestant. Isabelle St. Cyr, a 24-year-old who identifies as female, is set to compete for the title, according to a report by the Bangor Daily News.
St. Cyr emphasized that her participation is not intended as a political statement.
The competition will also feature Jordon Hudson, known for her relationship with Bill Belichick, the head football coach at the University of North Carolina and former coach of the New England Patriots, where he led the team to six Super Bowl victories.
The Miss Maine U.S.A pageant is part of the Miss Universe Organization, which revised its rules in 2012 to allow transgender individuals to compete.