Miss International Queen Pageant

The 8th annual Miss International Queen beauty pageant was held in Pattaya in Thailand. The twenty-one contestants from fifteen countries were all born male, so the Miss International Queen 2012 pageant is not an average beauty pageant. Kevin Balot, a contestant from the Philippines was crowned the winner at the Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant. Kevin was awarded was awarded $10,000, an apartment in Pattaya for a year, and a Thai cell phone. Plus, of course, the coveted Miss International Queen 2012 crown (which she has to give back for next year’s competition

1Simoed, a contestant from Brazil, gets her make-up done before the start of the final night of Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

2Beni, a contestant from Japan, gets her make-up done before the start of the final night of Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

3Dee-Lite, a contestant from the U.S., gets her picture taken before the start of the final night of Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

4Cruz, a contestant from the U.S., gets her make-up done before the start of the final night of Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

5Mongkol, a contestant from Thailand, waits for the start of the final night of Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

6Cruz, a contestant from the U.S., gets her make-up done before the start of the final night of Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

7Gold, a contestant from Brazil, smiles for the camera before the start of the final night of Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

8Kevin Balot reacts after being announced winner at the Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

9Kevin Balot reacts after being crowned winner at the Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

10Kevin Balot reacts while being crowned winner at the Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

11Kevin Balot smiles after being crowned winner at the Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

12Contestants wear national costumes during the Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

13Balot, contestant from Philippines, reacts as being crowned winner at Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

14Jimenez, a contestant from Philippines, prepares to go onto stage during Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

15Balot blows kisses after being crowned winner at the Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

16Contestants prepare to go onto stage during Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

17Balot, a contestant from the Philippines, reacts as being crowned winner at Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

18Beni, a contestant from Japan, prepares to go onto stage during Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

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