Miss America clarifies ‘naturally born female’ rule after threat from attorney general
Miss America (Getty Images)
The Miss America organisation clarified its entry requirements this week, saying that contestants must be a “naturally born female”.
A spokesperson for Miss America shared on 13 April that the policy wording had been revised earlier this year.
As per the new policy, trans women may not compete, and intersex women must undergo corrective surgery on any ambiguous genitalia before entering the competition.
Communications Manager for Miss America HQ Mallory Hudson said in a statement to The Washington Times: “The current eligibility policy as to gender was formally updated in the second half of 2024 and was revised again in 2026 to ensure consistency, transparency, and respect for all individuals who meet the qualifications to compete.”
She continued: “This update was developed with legal guidance and reflects our ongoing commitment to fairness and inclusion. Specifically, our participation policy affirms eligibility for Intersex females, which are those born with female chromosomes, but non-conforming genitalia.”
The statement regarding the recent policy change comes after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sent the Miss America organisation a letter on 10 April saying that the competition, as well as Miss Florida, may have violated state law against deceptive business practices.
He called out the organisation for allowing trans women (whom he referred to as “men”) to compete while representing Miss America and Miss Florida as events for women.
“Both organisations should disallow men from competing in their pageants,” Uthmeier wrote in the letter. “These organisations cannot operate under the false and misleading title of ‘Miss’ if indeed they are open to male participants. Failure to take corrective steps may result in enforcement action.”
In the letter, Uthmeier also referenced the case of Kayleigh Bush, who won Miss North Florida in 2024, but was blocked from competing in the Miss Florida pageant when she refused to sign a contract that allowed contestants who have “completed Sex Reassignment Surgery via Vaginoplasty”, or trans women who had undergone gender-affirming bottom surgery, to compete.
Uthmeier shared images of the letter to X on 10 April, with the caption: “To advance in competition, Miss North Florida 2025, Kayleigh Bush, was told to sign a contract that forced her to compete against men. She refused. ‘Miss’ America and ‘Miss’ Florida advertise as women-only competitions, which is misleading and may violate FL law. This is wrong!”
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