The first ever trans woman to be crowned Miss Maryland USA has clapped back against trolls that have been criticizing her win.
Bailey Anne Kennedy was bestowed with the coveted title last week and also became the first Asian-American and military officer’s wife to represent the state.
Despite her historic win, Kennedy has been at the receiving end of online disapproval and hate due to her sexuality.
But the newly crowned winner has not let the comments affect her and instead released a statement in hopes of inspiring other LGBTQ+ people and clarified her future plans.
Bailey Anne Kennedy was bestowed with the coveted title earlier this week and also became the first Asian-American and military officer’s wife to represent the state
In a lengthy Instagram post, Kennedy wrote: ‘Not everyone has to agree with the spaces that you occupy, and it doesn’t mean that you aren’t worthy of these opportunities. The work that I will do for the remainder of my life is to make sure that children who feel like me will never have to worry about the consequences of being who they are by simply being myself and being a positive contribution to society.
‘For the longest time, I never had the need to tell anyone. Not because it’s a secret but it’s none of anyone’s business. To those who matter to me, they don’t care. Those that care about knowing such private & personal details, don’t matter.
‘I can’t wait to start my reign and get back to The USO office and start serving lunches & personally thank our active duty service members like I originally plan to yesterday because that’s what actually matters to me.’
Despite her historic win, Kennedy has been at the receiving end of online disapproval and hate due to her sexuality
Kennedy, who married her military husband less than a year ago, is all set to now compete for Miss USA in August at Los Angeles
In an interview, Kennedy also noted that the entire win felt like a whirlwind’ and that she felt supported by the ‘sisterhood’ of women competing with her.
‘[It was a] whirlwind because I knew it was bigger than me. I knew that it was going to mean a lot for all the LGBTQ kids out there who might feel like they don’t belong in a box – like me growing up.
‘I felt confident in my own skin at 31, which is past the old age limit, which is 28 — as you know Miss Universe Organization lift the restriction now — so every woman of all ages can compete,’ she told DC News Now.
Kennedy, who married her military husband less than a year ago, is all set to now compete for Miss USA in August at Los Angeles.
