Ever since last year, nearly every aspect of entertainment has been involved in America’s surging move towards LGBT equality as more stars from every genre and game come out of the closet. Although little has been said about the world of pageants and sexuality, the pageant world recently got a new LGBT pioneer when former Miss Kentucky came out as gay.
Djuan Keila Trent, who was crowned Miss Kentucky in 2010 and competed in the Miss America contest, came out as a lesbian in a post on her personal blog, telling the world that she is “queer.”
Trent explains that she decided to come out after U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II ruled that Kentucky’s proposed gay marriage ban was unconstitutional.
“But what has prompted my writing today has been my questioning people’s constant assumption that a) I am hetero). I concur with their views and opinion,” Trent wrote, adding, “It should be seemingly easy for one to look at me and see that I am woman, just as it is also pretty obvious that I am black. But sometimes, I forget to put the “QUEER” stamp on my forehead on my way out the door in the mornings.”
Trent writes that her journey to coming out has not been easy and that she’s done it multiple times in the past.
“I could write about what it was like to come out to my mom for the third and final time at the age of 26 (the first time was when I was in the 4th grade and the second time was in college). I could write about the years I spent praying to a God whom I wanted so badly to serve with all of my heart, but couldn’t understand why this God made me “wrong,” she writes.
Trent explains she understands that we live in world where coming out isn’t easy, desirable or safe for everyone. However, she notes that change won’t come unless those who are living in the dark choose to live in the light.
“People can’t know that their best friend, brother, sister, co-worker, neighbor, news anchor, favorite singer, or local coffee shop barista is being oppressed and denied the rights in which their heterosexual counterparts are so happily welcomed partake, unless you open your mouth and say it,” Trent writes.
Trent ends her post by thanking those who have helped her find the strength to finally come out to the world.
“Thank you for giving me the courage to change my “they” to “we,” “them” to “us,” and “their” to “our.” You have given me the courage to speak up and speak out when I forget my “QUEER” stamp in the mornings. And I can only hope, that I might inspire someone else in that same way,” Trent writes.
We applaud Trent for showing that she’s not only beautiful inside and out, but that she’s courageous enough to bring change to the world just by sharing her truth. Hopefully, others will choose to stand in their truth, proudly, as well. – nicholas robinson
