Bailey Anne Kennedy: Marine's Wife Wins Transgender Miss Maryland USA

Marine's wife, Bailey Anne Kennedy, becomes first-ever transgender Miss Maryland USA, aiming to promote diversity and inspire LGBTQ youth.

Bailey Anne Kennedy, a Marine's wife, has made history by becoming the first-ever transgender Miss Maryland USA. Her victory was a whirlwind of emotions, knowing that it was bigger than herself and would mean a lot to LGBTQ kids who might feel like they don't fit into a box. Kennedy's hope is to open up doors and hearts, showcasing the diversity within the LGBT community and making a positive impact on society.

Inspired by the sisterhood of other pageant contestants and the lifting of traditional restrictions by The Miss Universe Organization, Kennedy decided to enter pageants after her marriage in 2019. She saw it as a sign that they were ready to crown an older, military spouse like herself. With her involvement in the USO program and her desire to represent the USA on a national and international level, Kennedy aims to showcase the immigrant tenacity and inspire others along the way.

Kennedy's victory as the first transgender Miss Maryland USA, the first Asian American winner, and the first military spouse to hold the title is groundbreaking. She follows in the footsteps of Kataluna Enriquez, the first transgender contestant to compete in Miss USA as Miss Nevada USA in 2018. Kennedy's historic win has not fully sunk in yet, but she is proud to have made history and hopes to continue inspiring others on her journey.