Isabelle St. Cyr, a trailblazer from Monson, Maine, is set to make history as the first transgender woman to represent the state at the national Miss International Queen USA pageant. This event will take place in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in March 2024, where St. Cyr will compete alongside 26 other transgender women from across the United States. The winner will earn the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the prestigious Miss International Queen competition in Thailand, recognized as one of the largest and most esteemed transgender pageants globally.
St. Cyr’s entry into the pageant scene comes at a time when discussions surrounding transgender rights are intensifying in Maine and the wider U.S. Some Republican lawmakers have adopted anti-trans messaging, promoting initiatives that would require transgender students to participate in sports and use facilities aligned with their sex assigned at birth. Despite facing these political challenges, St. Cyr has experienced overwhelming support during her journey. “I grew up completely surrounded by people that did not support me in any fashion. So when I started to do this, I figured it would be the same,” she reflected. “But I was proven wrong.”
In her debut at the Miss Maine USA pageant, St. Cyr reached the semifinals and finished in the top 10. She noted that she felt treated fairly, similar to her fellow contestants. While some negative comments came from the audience, she also received messages of gratitude from parents of transgender children who appreciated her advocacy for trans rights. “They had kids that were transgender who aspire to do things that weren’t always in the cards for people like us,” St. Cyr shared.
Looking forward, St. Cyr attributes the absence of previous contestants from Maine to the state’s smaller population and less developed pageant culture compared to southern states. “So many of the title holders have been from cities and have had opportunities that maybe people that live in rural areas don’t get,” she explained. Her participation in Miss International Queen USA holds significance for many transgender women in rural areas who often feel isolated.
St. Cyr’s journey to this moment has been transformative. Growing up, she struggled to understand her identity and believed she was alone in her feelings. “If I could inspire other young trans individuals, I think that would be a huge win, especially in those rural areas,” she stated.
Preparing for the upcoming pageant has been an intensive process. St. Cyr spent two months designing and creating her costume, which celebrates her Acadian heritage. Her platform will also focus on combating anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S., a cause close to her heart as her great-grandparents immigrated from Canada. “I think that a lot of people from up north have really separated themselves from immigrants, forgetting that we were immigrants just a couple of generations ago,” she said.
St. Cyr’s determination extends beyond her participation in the upcoming pageant. She plans to compete in Miss Maine USA again in the future, stating, “I’m going to be coming back every single year and doing Miss Maine USA until I have that crown.”
In addition to her pageant aspirations, St. Cyr has signed with Port City Models in Portland and hopes to expand her modeling and acting career. Living in Monson, a town with a population of just 650, she acknowledges the challenges of pursuing these opportunities but remains committed to her roots.
“I think it’s important to remind these people that I’m not going anywhere, just because they think I don’t fit in,” she affirmed. St. Cyr is also a dedicated farmer, raising ducks, goats, chickens, sheep, pigs, and a cow on her property, where she sells eggs and other products from her farm stand. Her journey is a testament to resilience and the pursuit of dreams, inspiring many in her community and beyond.
