"All eyes are on what is happening at Miss Venezuela," she said. "If I were there, it would be making history." In Venezuela, "land" of Miss but also conservative country, it would probably be an event more than elsewhere.

Sofia Salomon hopes to move the lines and offer "visibility" to the transgender community in this conservative society.

She competed in 2022 in Thailand in Miss International Queen, the biggest beauty pageant for transgender women, and ranked in the top 6.

Sofia Salomon, who wants to be the first transgender woman to participate in the Miss Venezuela pageant, on May 20, 2023 in Caracas © Federico PARRA / AFP

"There were a lot of social media posts from people who wanted me to participate in another contest," she says. "Now that Miss Universe and Miss World accept transgender girls, the opportunity to participate in Miss Venezuela is open to me," she said.

In 2018, Angela Ponce, then Miss Spain, broke down barriers by being the first transgender woman to compete in Miss Universe.

For Sofia Salomon, who lives from modeling in Spain and Mexico but also from a clothing brand she launched, the countdown has begun: applications for Miss Venezuela will be closed on Wednesday. Each candidate will then be evaluated by a jury that will select those to compete.

Sofia Salomon, who wants to be the first transgender woman to participate in the Miss Venezuela pageant, on May 20, 2023 in Caracas © Federico PARRA / AFP

Born in Ciudad Bolivar, a landlocked city in southern Venezuela, Sofia Salomon says she has "always had the support of my father, my mother and my whole family".

"Hell" for some

"I had a beautiful childhood, full of respect and love, and that's what makes it easier because you can show society who you really are," she explains.

Sofia Salomon, who wants to be the first transgender woman to participate in the Miss Venezuela pageant, on May 20, 2023 in Caracas © Federico PARRA / AFP

Not everyone who has changed their gender is so lucky. "In Venezuela, being transgender is hell for many," said Richelle Briceño, a lawyer and transgender activist.

"The opportunity that Miss Sofia Salomon has is a message for society (...). Despite the fact that Venezuela is a very conservative country (...) transgender people here survive and impose themselves in the good sense of the word," the lawyer applauds.

In Latin America, a predominantly Catholic region, Argentina was a pioneer in allowing transgender people to change their civil status in 2012, followed by Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

Venezuela has no legislation in this area. It allows the name change but, according to LGBT+ rights NGOs, this possibility is often complicated by uncooperative or recalcitrant officials.

Sofia Salomon during a shooting session on May 20, 2023 in Caracas © Federico PARRA / AFP

"All these countries have made progress in recognizing gender identity, while Venezuela has remained stuck in obscurantism," Briceño said.

Sofia Salomon, for example, has dual Venezuelan and Colombian nationality. Her papers in Colombia say she is a woman, but her Venezuelan passport says she is a man.

LGBT+ groups have also unsuccessfully called for legislation on equality in marriage or same-sex parenting.

Sofia Salomon during a shooting session on May 20, 2023 in Caracas © Federico PARRA / AFP

In this context, Sofia Salomon hopes to have a positive influence and stresses that participating in Miss Venezuela is not an end in itself: "Whatever happens, I will continue to be a successful woman. This has always been the case!"

© 2023 AFP