Transgender Woman Makes History As Miss Maryland USA

Bailey Anne Kennedy, a 31-year-old married to a military officer, shattered numerous barriers in Maryland’s pageant history when she was crowned Miss Maryland USA on Saturday, achieving this feat in her debut pageant. As she prepares to compete in Los Angeles on August 4, she aims to make further history by becoming the oldest and first trans Miss USA, a milestone previously restricted to women under 28. For the past decade, trans women have been eligible to compete.

Kennedy, a Cambodian American residing in Montgomery County, expressed her desire for her victory to inspire LGBTQ+ youth to embrace their true selves in a recent interview with DC News Now. She emphasized the support she received from her fellow competitors, highlighting the camaraderie among women in the pageant. Kennedy hopes her win will foster greater acceptance and understanding of the LGBT community, aiming to “open up some doors, open up some hearts.”

Former Miss Maryland USA 2016, Christina Denny McDaniel, commended Kennedy for breaking through numerous barriers. Kennedy and the organizers of Miss Maryland USA were not immediately available for comment.