A Nevada pageant winner has made history by becoming the first transgender woman to compete in Miss USA.
Kataluna Enriquez, 27, won the Miss Nevada crown on Sunday, June 26, and she will now compete in the Miss USA pageant in Oklahoma on November 29, per NBC News.
In order to become Miss Nevada, she beat 21 other contestants at Las Vegas' South Point Hotel Casino and made history by being the first transgender woman to do so.
The competition has a question and answer segment, and the 27-year-old took it as an opportunity to explain why she's proud of being transgender.
She told the judges: "Today I am a proud transgender woman of color.
"Personally, I've learned that my differences do not make me less than, it makes me more than. I know that my uniqueness will take me to all my destinations, and whatever I need to go through in life."
She also reflected this in the ballgown round of the competition where she wore a rainbow sequin dress for Pride.
Enrique wrote alongside a picture of herself in the dress: "Gown made by me @katalunakouture. In honor of pride month, and all of those who don't get a chance to spread their colors."
She subsequently took to Instagram after her win and wrote: "Huge thank you to everyone who supported me from day one.
"My community, you are always in my heart. My win is our win. We just made history. Happy pride."
However, Enriquez told KSNB that despite her current successes, she has "struggled", which is why she's so determined to "thrive" and make history for the transgender community.
She told the news outlet: "I didn't have the easiest journey in life. It was a struggle for a moment. I struggled with physical and sexual abuse. I struggled with mental health. I didn't have much growing up. I didn't have support.
"But I'm still able to thrive, and I'm still able to survive and become a trailblazer for many."
She added: "Don't let your differences determine what you're capable of.
"Your difference is anything what makes you unique, and you are capable of anything as long as you believe in yourself. [sic]"
