At Miss Hispanidad Gay 2016, competitors vie for the crown and to represent North Carolina’s Hispanic community. The pageant is particularly relevant today: it’s a latino, LGBT event in a state that has recently passed laws that repeal the civil rights of trans people. “It’s not acceptable in society to kiss or hold hands with our partner,” says Oskar Menen, who goes by the stage name of Gaga L’Draga. “I think the public out there is missing some tolerance for our community.” The Atlantic travelled to Durham, North Carolina, to film the event and get the perspectives of competitors and organizers.

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