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Transgender Miss Universe contender speaks up for trans kids

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In this photo taken on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, Angela Ponce, who won Spain's Miss Universe competition in June, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Madrid, Spain. The first transgender woman to compete in the global Miss Universe pageant says that, whether winning or not the beauty title, she wants to make history as a role model for trans children around the globe. (AP Photo/Paul White)

MADRID - The first transgender woman to compete in the global Miss Universe pageant says that, whether she wins the beauty title or not, she wants to make history as a role model for trans children around the globe.

"If my going through all this contributes for the world moving a little step forward, then that's a personal crown that will always accompany me," says Angela Ponce, the 26-year old model and activist representing Spain.

Ponce beat 20 other contestants in the Miss Universe Spain gala on June 29, qualifying for the global round of the contest that has only allowed transgender women to participate since 2012.

The location and dates for this year's contest are yet to be announced.