Transgender Contestant Makes History as Miss Netherlands Winner

Rikkie Valerie Kollé made history as the first transgender woman to win Miss Netherlands, securing her a spot in the international Miss Universe contest. While there was backlash online about her being transgender, a video showed her fellow contestants celebrating her victory, indicating their support. Many competitors took to social media to congratulate Kollé. She emphasized the importance of visible role models for young transgender individuals and expressed her pride and happiness in her achievement. The Netherlands allows transgender people to update their gender markers on legal documents without surgery, reflecting the country's progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights.