Trans beauty queen withdraws from Miss Georgia competition
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A transgender contestant who made history by winning Miss Buckhead USA 2025 has withdrawn from the upcoming Miss Georgia USA competition amid controversy.
Bella Bautista made the announcement via social media, formally stepping down from the Buckhead title. In an Instagram statement, Bautista wrote: “With a heavy heart, I am officially relinquishing my title as Miss Buckhead USA 2025.”
Explaining the decision further, Bautista stated: “When I joined this pageant, I did so with the hope of breaking barriers, inspiring others, and showing that representation matters. However, after deep reflection, I have come to the decision that the organization’s affiliations and actions no longer align with my personal values and my mission for inclusivity and a world free of discrimination.”
Bella Bautista in Miss Georgia USA? It's an absolute disgrace! This is a women’s pageant, not a free-for-all for delusional dudes. It’s a slap in the face to every real woman who’s worked her tail off for that crown. Pageants are for women, actual women, not some guy pretending… pic.twitter.com/lHHIAgAFA2
— 𝐃𝐔𝐓𝐂𝐇 (@pr0ud_americans) March 13, 2025
The announcement sparked immediate reactions on social media, with some users expressing support for maintaining traditional women-only competitions. Bautista’s participation would have marked a historic moment as the first transgender contestant in Miss Georgia USA’s history.
The pageant contestant also revealed ongoing legal proceedings with Miss Georgia USA organizers, though specific details were withheld. “Due to ongoing legal proceedings, I am unable to share further details at this time,” Bautista wrote. “But know this: the truth will unfold, and justice will be served very soon.”
The Miss Georgia USA pageant, operated by Greenwood Productions under the leadership of former Miss Tennessee USA 1989 Kim Greenwood, has maintained a neutral stance. The organization previously stated to FOX 5 that eligibility requirements are determined by the Miss Universe Organization, expressing their commitment to welcome all qualifying participants.
🚨 For the first time, an openly transgender woman has announced her intention to compete for the Miss Georgia USA title.
Bella Bautista is competing in the Miss Georgia USA pageant as the first openly transgender woman. pic.twitter.com/7bicpK9MKd— Melt Down Alerts™ (@MeltDownAlerts) March 2, 2025
Bautista, a former competitive cheerleader at Oglethorpe University, has also been vocal about transgender rights in athletics. The announcement comes amid legislative developments in Georgia, where lawmakers recently passed a bill restricting transgender women from participating in women’s sports.
During testimony before the Georgia Senate regarding the Riley Gaines Act, Bautista expressed: “The people are well-paid, well-rehearsed and the only thing they could reference was Lia Thomas. These people have nothing to work on except fearmongering. They are harming one community to protect another community. This is about rights for all Americans and it’s unfair. As a trans athlete, this affects me and it’s time that they really open their eyes and see the world is bigger than they think.”
Despite these objections, the legislation advanced with a 9-3 vote. The act’s namesake, Riley Gaines, gained prominence as an advocate for women’s sports after competing against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas during her collegiate career.
