FOR the first time in the Miss Universe’s 66-year history, there was a transgender contestant in the competition.

Angela Ponce, who is Miss Spain, made history as she took part in the beauty pageant in Bangkok, Thailand this weekend.

10 Angela Ponce, 27, was the first transgender beauty queen in the Miss Universe competition Credit: AFP or licensors

The pageant changed one of its longstanding policies in 2012, which stated that participants should be “naturally born” women.

Despite the rules changing six years ago, Angelia is the first transgender contestant to make the finals.

She may have missed out on the crown, but the beauty queen said that she couldn't have cared less.

After failing to make the top 20, she said: "I don't need to win Miss Universe. I only need to be here."

10 Angela failed to make the top 20, but said she didn't need to win but just needed to be there Credit: AFP or licensors

10 Catriona Gray, who is Miss Philippines, ended up walking away with the crown of Miss Universe Credit: AP:Associated Press

This year's Miss Universe title ended up going to Miss Philippines, Catriona Gray, who was said to have been an early favourite.

Pageant officials gave Angela a chance to speak about her history-making debut in the competition, during a pre-recorded segment.

Angela said: "I’m here to represent diversity of humans in the world.

10 The transgender beauty queen was given a pre-recorded segment in the show to highlight her debut feature in the competition Credit: Getty - Contributor

“My hope is for tomorrow to be able to live in a world of equality for everyone, simply for us all to understand that we are human and that we must make all our lives easier together. That reality for many people is going to change.”

People were quick to take to Twitter to share their support for the poineering beauty queen.

One wrote: "This really brought tears to my eyes. So proud of her, so proud of Spain, so proud of the Miss Universe organization!"

Another added: "im crying rn because of miss spain."

This really brought tears to my eyes. So proud of her, so proud of Spain, so proud of the Miss Universe organization! 💛 https://t.co/0XZ4WDhxl3 — Babe Ruthless (@abbiealmasco) December 17, 2018

im crying rn because of miss spain 💖 — zeeia ♎ (@gdthatsme__) December 17, 2018

10 Many people said they were moved by her inclusion in the contest Credit: EPA

Angela, 27, says that by taking part she hopes to highlight how misunderstood the transgender community is, and she also intends to send a message to Donald Trump.

Angela particularly wants to raise awareness about the high rates of suicide within the community, and said: “Who hasn't suffered from prejudice? Who hasn't had to deal with bullying?”

The timing of her participation is particularly poignant, as a recent leaked White House document said President Trump’s administration is considering blocking transgender people from military service.

10 Miss Philippines stunned in a red evening gown as she was lead by Ne-Yo in the final round Credit: AP:Associated Press

10 Angela hopes to highlight how misunderstood the transgender community is Credit: AFP or licensors

The report also said they may push changes to the law to define gender by biological traits at birth.

Angela responded to Trump, who used to own the Miss Universe competition, and said: “I always say: having a vagina didn't transform me into a woman. I am a woman, already before birth, because my identity is here [her head.]”

She argued that the trans people being classified so narrowly on their gender is based on prejudice.

10 Angela has racked up over 476,000 followers on Instagram Credit: Instagram_angelaponcespain

She explained: “Outsiders say what I can and cannot do, what I am and what I am not.

“No, I'm sorry. To be a woman is your identity. It doesn't matter if you are white, black, if you have a vagina... if you have a penis.”

Back in Spain, Angela works with a foundation that helps children struggling with the stigma of being trans.

And her participation in the competition has been praised by fans, who particularly loved her mermaid-like evening gown and her flamenco dancer dress in the category on national costumes.

10 The beauty queen wowed in a flamenco dress as part of the competition's national dress category Credit: AFP or licensors

Angela added: “You can empower yourself like I have and turn something negative into your biggest strength.

“Children are born without prejudices and I think that if we talk to them about diversity from a young age... we can create a new generation of human beings who are raised a lot better, more tolerant and respectful.”

Critics say this year’s event is a pushback to stereotypes from the pre #MeToo era, and is a time to promote inclusivity.

There will be an all-women judging panel made up of former Miss Universe winners and business leaders.

10 Back in Spain, Angela works with a foundation that helps children struggling with the stigma of being trans Credit: Instagram_angelaponcespain

The competition hasn’t been all positivity this year though.

The contest has been thrown into controversy after three of the contestants were accused of racism and bullying.

Miss USA Sarah Rose Summers, Miss Australia Francesca Hung and Miss Colombia Valeria Morales have been accused of mocking Asian beauty queens for speaking poor English in an Instagram livestream.

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