Lesotho: Miss spring Lesotho opens doors for inclusion in the pageant industry

The article reports on Laylah, a transgender woman who made history in Lesotho by becoming the first transgender contestant to compete in the Miss Spring pageant. Her participation challenged traditional gender norms within the country’s beauty and entertainment industries and increased visibility for transgender women. 

Laylah shared that her journey was shaped by discrimination as well as strong family support, which motivated her to pursue modelling and pageantry beyond LGBTQ+ specific spaces. She said her participation aimed to promote inclusion and demonstrate that transgender people are equally capable and deserving of recognition. 

Pageant founder Itumeleng Nonjabuliso Camilla Jane Zwane and human rights advocates described Laylah’s participation as a milestone for inclusion, highlighting pageantry as a platform for dignity, representation and broader social change in Lesotho.

LINK TO PUBLISHED STORY

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1483578483777265&set=a.476246661177124

This article, first published by PublicEyeNewspaper, is part of the Media Parity Capacity Buildingand republished as part of the programme series.