The Wire

While the 61st Miss World pageant garnered attention in Europe over the weekend, a very different kind of pageant was taking place in Sydney. Seven transvestites from the Indian subcontinent competed in four rounds – including a Q&A, talent quest and interpretations of traditional bridal wear – to win the crown of Bollywood Queen of the Night. Organisers from the South Asian GLBT support network Trikone say the beauty pageant aims to foster acceptance and appreciation for transgendered people in South Asia.