All posts tagged with: Jenna Talackova

Jenna Talackova and feminist lawyer, Gloria Allred, in the 2012 LA Pride Parade.

2012 has been a roller-coaster year for 23 year-old Jenna Talackova, who has just be named Grand Marshall of the Vancouver Pride Parade.

Jenna was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. Born as a male, by age 4 Jenna began to identify as a female. By at 14 she began hormone therapy, and when she turned 19 she underwent gender re-assignment surgery.

In 2010 Jenna competed in the Miss International Queen pageant in Thailand, a competition for trans-gendered and transsexual women. She then went on to compete in 2012 for Miss Universe Canada.

Organizers of the Miss Universe competition disqualified Jenna from the competition because she was not a naturally born female. Upon receiving the news, Jenna engaged the renowned feminist lawyer, Gloria Allred, to represent her. They took their case to the Miss Universe Organization and to Donald Trump, the owner of the competition, and eventually reversed their decision citing, “[a]s long as she meets the standards of legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, which we understand that she does, Jenna Talackova is free to compete in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada pageant.”

Jenna competed in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada competition and made it to the top 12. She was one of four women to receive the Miss Congeniality award, but did not make it into the top five.

Joining Jenna as Grand Marshal’s for the 2012 Vancouver Pride Parade are local gay sporting advocate, Bill Munroe, and community  activist, David Holtzman. Jenna has made several appearances in 2012, including the LA Pride Parade in West Hollywood, California.

The 2012 Christopher Street West LA Pride Parade was a star-studded event as well-known celebrity drag queens, activists, singers, movie stars, comedians and friends of the LGBT community came to out support the annual event. While the parade had hundreds of people, there were certainly some iconic and familiar faces. The 2012 LA Pride Parade was hosted by social media specialist, Leyla Farah, and Mayor John Duran.

The parade was co-hosted by actor, comedian and writer, Alec Mapa.

Legendary New York drag queen, actress, singer and entertainer, Sherry Vine made a special appearance.

Transgender Canadian beauty queen and Miss Universe contestant, Jenna Talackova, took part in the parade, along with her well-known attorney, Gloria Allred.

Ongina, contestant from RuPaul’s Drag Race, season 1, looked smashing in a red hat and dress.

LGBT activist, Betty DeGeneres, proudly marched in the parade. Betty is the mother of comedian, actress, and television host, Ellen DeGeneres.

The parade Grand Marshall was actress, singer and dancer, Molly Ringwald.

Lisa Vanderpump from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes made appearances both at the LA Pride festival and in the LA Pride Parade.

Jeff Parshley and Adam Bouska, co-founders of the NOH8 Campaign proudly marched in the parade, along with dozens of NOH8 campaign supporters.