The first transgender woman to compete for the Miss Maine USA title, Isabelle St. Cyr, is set to represent her state at the Miss International Queen USA pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in March 2024. St. Cyr is one of 27 contestants vying for the title, which will allow the winner to represent the United States at an international competition in Thailand, renowned as one of the most prestigious transgender pageants globally.
St. Cyr’s entry into the pageant scene comes at a time when discussions around transgender rights are intensifying in Maine and across the United States. Legislative proposals aimed at restricting the rights of transgender individuals, particularly concerning participation in sports and access to facilities based on gender identity, have gained traction among some political groups. Despite these challenges, St. Cyr describes her experience in the Miss Maine USA competition last year as unexpectedly supportive.
Reflecting on her past, St. Cyr noted, “I grew up completely surrounded by people that did not support me in any fashion. So when I started to do this, I figured it would be the same. But I was proven wrong.” She reached the semifinals and placed in the top ten, feeling that she was treated fairly alongside her peers. Although she encountered some discontent from a few audience members, many parents expressed gratitude for her representation, sharing that their own transgender children looked up to her.
St. Cyr’s recruitment for the Miss International Queen USA pageant followed her successful run in Miss Maine USA. She recognizes that Maine’s smaller, rural population has historically limited the number of contestants in such events. “So many of the title holders have been from cities and have had opportunities that maybe people that live in rural areas don’t get,” she explained. Her participation aims to inspire other transgender women, particularly those in rural regions who may feel isolated or unsupported.
As she prepares for the upcoming competition, St. Cyr has dedicated months to crafting her performance, including designing her own costume, which celebrates her Acadian heritage. Along with her costume, she plans to draw attention to anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S., a relevant issue given her family’s history of immigration from Canada. “I think that a lot of people from up north have really separated themselves from immigrants, forgetting that we were immigrants just a couple of generations ago,” she remarked.
St. Cyr’s ambitions extend beyond the pageantry; she intends to return to compete in Miss Maine USA annually until she secures the crown. Outside of pageants, she is signed with Port City Models in Portland and is eager to expand her modeling and acting career. Living in Monson, Maine, which has a population of approximately 650, she acknowledges the difficulties of pursuing opportunities in the entertainment industry but remains committed to her roots.
“I think it’s important to remind these people that I’m not going anywhere, just because they think I don’t fit in,” St. Cyr stated. “No matter how big I get, no matter where I go, these are where my roots are and I am a Mainer through and through.”
St. Cyr’s journey is not just about competition; it represents a broader narrative of resilience and visibility for transgender individuals, particularly those from rural backgrounds. Her story continues to resonate as she prepares for a significant moment in her life and the lives of many others who look to her for inspiration.
