Miss International Queen, the pageant for trans women

Miss International Queen is an international beauty pageant for transgender women, held every year in Pattaya, Thailand, since 2004. It is organised by Tiffany's Show, and contestants come from many countries across Asia, Latin America, Europe and beyond. The organiser announces the dates and ticket details for each edition.

Often called the international queen pageant, it is the best known event of its kind in the world. For the trans community, it is far more than a contest of looks. It gives trans women a large, respected stage, puts their stories in front of a global audience and has helped many winners build careers in media, entertainment and advocacy.

How the pageant began

Tiffany's Show had already run Miss Tiffany's Universe, a Thai national pageant, for several years when it launched Miss International Queen in 2004. The idea was to invite trans women from other countries to compete in Pattaya, a city whose cabaret tradition made it a natural home for such an event. The pageant grew quickly and is now followed by large audiences online and on television in many countries.

How the event works

Like other major pageants, Miss International Queen runs over several days. Typical parts include:

• Arrival and welcome, when delegates from each country meet the press and each other
• Preliminary rounds with national costume, swimwear and evening gown segments
• Interviews with the jury, where contestants talk about their goals and causes
• Talent and charity activities in and around Pattaya
• The final night, a televised show with the top contestants, the question round and the crowning

The exact format and the categories can change between editions, so the official programme is the best guide for each year.

What it means for the community

In many countries, trans women still face discrimination at school, at work and in the family. A delegate who represents her country on an international stage sends a message home that trans women can be confident, educated and proud. Many contestants use their time in the spotlight to speak about legal recognition, health care, employment and acceptance.

Winners and finalists have gone on to work as actresses, models, presenters, entrepreneurs and activists. The pageant also connects trans women from different cultures, many of whom stay in touch for years. Our pages on kathoey and Thai ladyboys explain the Thai side of this story.

Visiting the pageant

The final show takes place in Pattaya and tickets are sold through the organiser's official channels. Plan accommodation early, because the city is busy during pageant week. While you are there, see a performance at Tiffany's Show and read our Pattaya guide for transport and safety tips.

Following it from home

The final is streamed and broadcast, and the official social channels publish photos and interviews throughout the week. On LadyBoy.net, members discuss each edition in the Events section of the forum, and venues post related events in the events calendar.