Sun Sep 15 17:08:41 UTC 2024: ## Miss Universe Singapore’s First Transgender Finalist: A Story of Love, Acceptance, and Breaking Barriers
Qatrisha Zairyah, a 33-year-old fashion advisor, is making history as the first transgender woman to compete in the Miss Universe Singapore (MUS) pageant. In an exclusive interview with 8days.sg, Qatrisha revealed her journey, from undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2017 to finding love and support from her family and husband.
Qatrisha, who stands tall at 1.8m, has already proven herself as a beauty queen, having been crowned first runner-up at the Miss International Queen 2023 pageant for transgender women. She sees her participation in MUS as a sign of Singapore’s growing acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.
Her story is one of strength and resilience. While facing discrimination and hateful comments for competing against “natural-born women,” Qatrisha chooses to rise above it all, embodying a positive and open-hearted spirit.
But beyond the pageant persona, Qatrisha’s personal life is equally inspiring. She has a supportive family, including a loving husband who has stood by her throughout her transition. They met during their National Service at Nee Soon Camp and have been married for seven years.
Qatrisha’s husband, who works as a non-destructive testing inspector, was supportive even when his family opposed their relationship. He believes in loving her for the person she is, not her gender.
Qatrisha is driven by a desire to represent women of all backgrounds and to promote acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community. She credits her inspiration to Angela Maria Ponce Camacho, the first transgender woman to represent Spain in Miss Universe 2018.
Qatrisha’s journey is a testament to the power of love, acceptance, and perseverance. She hopes to use her platform to inspire others and advocate for greater understanding and inclusivity.
First Piper 