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Transgender women are barred from entering the Rose of Tralee, festival organisers confirmed today.

The process to find the next winner is under way with selection events taking place from February to June but girls whose gender does not correspond with their birth sex need not apply.

A spokesman told the Irish Mirror: “The Festival is a progressive organisation that always strives to reflect changes in society in the entry guidelines for women.

“Transgender women entering is not something we are considering at the moment, however, we will continue to review our guidelines.”

(Image: Rose of Tralee/ Twitter)

The rules on the festival’s website state applicants must be aged at least 18 but not turn 28 by September 1 and must never have been married.

When it comes to gender, it simply says “be female”.

The rules do not clarify whether those who have received new birth certificates under the Gender Recognition Act 2015 are included.

The Act allows those aged over 18 to self-declare their gender and receive new documentation. The Transgender Equality Network Ireland spokesman Gordon Grehan called the decision “unnecessarily exclusionary”.

He said: “It’s a shame the Rose of Tralee isn’t keeping in line with how the country is going.

“It has changed to an extent in that it’s shaking off the ‘lovely girls competition’ image and is celebrating women and what they’re doing, it’s empowering and positive.

"It’s a shame they think trans women might not be great examples of Irish womanhood. It’s a missed opportunity and unnecessarily exclusionary.”

Last week 2016 Sydney Rose Brianna Parkins urged for women from more diverse backgrounds to enter the competition.

She Tweeted: “I need to hand over the tiara and sash soon. Calling all boss ladies to apply for 2017.

“Calling all feminists/mixed race/queer/trans ladies to apply for the Rose wherever you live. I would just like to see the Rose reflect modern Irish society at home and abroad.

“It can be intimidating to

minorities as they might not have been represented in the past.

“I’m a hetero white woman with a degree and even I felt I wasn’t “Rose” enough.

“It makes it a hell of a lot more interesting if you have people with different life stories on stage.”