Kaylah Walton
This weekend in Portland, Maine, the highly awaited Miss Maine USA competition is taking place, featuring two contestants who are making waves for distinct reasons.
One of the contestants is Jordon Hudson, the 24-year-old girlfriend of famous NFL coach Bill Belichick. She is making a return to the pageant after being a runner-up the previous year.
Meanwhile, Isabelle St. Cyr, also 24, hails from Monson and is making history as the first transgender woman to compete in this pageant.
While Hudson has garnered media attention for her relationship, St. Cyr’s presence is reshaping the pageantry narrative, serving as a significant step towards inclusivity in Maine. Her participation signifies not only personal success but also a broader cultural milestone.
St. Cyr’s Journey to Visibility
St. Cyr‘s path to the Miss Maine USA stage began well before the spotlight of pageantry. Growing up in rural Maine, she became aware of her gender identity at a young age.
“It’s crucial to highlight the lives of transgender women, especially in small towns and rural areas, as we exist everywhere,” she stated. “From an early age, I aspired to be a mom and wanted to embrace a feminine role.”
Isabelle began her social transition in middle school, trying out makeup and expressing herself. By high school graduation, she had changed her name and pronouns, which garnered mixed reactions from those around her.
“I truly feel fortunate to have had supportive people, as their encouragement helped me through bullying during high school,” she reflected.
Choosing to remain connected to her roots, she started a farm in Monson at age 22, raising various animals such as ducks, chickens, pigs, sheep, and cows—a lifestyle reflecting both stability and boldness. Now, that same grounded viewpoint is being brought to the Miss Maine USA stage.
St. Cyr, inspired by watching programs like Miss USA and Miss Universe as a child, is now fulfilling her dream.
“I learned shortly after signing up that I would be the first transgender contestant. It’s a big honor, and I hope it’s just the start of more beautiful transgender women showcasing their talents on this stage,” she said.
