Three years after Daniela Arroyo González made history in the Miss Universe Puerto Rico as the first transgender contestant, the pageant signals a continued shift toward broader representation after announcing that Gabriel Rodríguez Velázquez, representing the town of Cidra, is officially competing for the crown.
Rodríguez Velázquez’s presence on the Miss Universe Puerto Rico stage will help bring visibility to communities that have historically been underrepresented in mainstream beauty platforms.
Daniela Arroyo González Opened the Door in 2023
This milestone comes after a groundbreaking moment in 2023, when Daniela Arroyo González became the first openly transgender woman selected to compete in Miss Universe Puerto Rico.
At the time, Arroyo celebrated her achievement on Instagram, inviting supporters to be part of a historic shift.
Miss Universe Rule Changes
Since 2023, the Miss Universe Organization has implemented sweeping changes to its eligibility rules. Therefore, for the first time in its history, the pageant began welcoming married women and mothers to compete for the crown.
© Miss NetherlandsAt the time, an internal memo cited by The National made headlines after the organization emphasized a clear philosophy behind the shift. “We all believe that women should have agency over their lives and that a human’s personal decisions should not be a barrier to their success,” they said.
While 2023 was an important year for inclusion, a major turning point came in 2022, when transgender businesswoman Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip acquired the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million. “We seek not only to continue its legacy of providing a platform to passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions but also to evolve the brand for the next generation,” Anne said.
© Getty ImagesAlthough Anne Jakrajutatip has now been sentenced to prison in Thailand, pushing the brand into its most serious crisis in years, the Thai media executive and transgender rights advocate was central to the organization’s transformation.
The Miss Universe has had a few rocky years, but the inclusion of Rodríguez Velázquez, alongside the recent rule changes, serves as a space for advocacy, identity, and storytelling.
If Rodríguez Velázquez wins, she will go on to represent Puerto Rico at Miss Universe 2026.
© Miss Universe Puerto RicoNot Everyone Is Happy
Although this seems to be a giant step for the LGBTQ+ community, not everyone is happy with this inclusion. Many fans of the pageant took to social media to share their disappointment. "Pageants should follow the Olympics... Every fish in their fish tank," a person wrote.
"Men always dominate everything 💪🏻 💪🏻 Even women's competitions are won by men and feminists celebrating," another person added.
