Jenna TalackovaWhen it comes to the Miss Universe Canada beauty pageant, it seems they’re pretty strict about that “Miss” part, or at least being born that way.

The pageant has banned Jenna Talackova, a transgender finalist, from continuing in the contest stating that she “did not meet the requirements to compete despite having stated otherwise on her entry form.”

UPDATE: THE DECISION WAS REVERSED AND JENNA GOT TO COMPETE AFTER ALL

Talackova was booted out of the beauty pageant after it was discovered that she was born a male. The pageant rules state that every contestant must be a “naturally born female only.”

“Jenna Talackova from Vancouver, British Columbia will not compete in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada competition,” organizers officially confirmed Friday.

“We do, however, respect her goals, determination and wish her the best,” the statement reads, without giving a clear explanation of her removal and the specific requirements she failed to meet. The 6-foot tall blonde was selected among 65 finalists for the competition which will be held in Toronto on May 19, 2012.

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She had already reached the finals in the 2012 Miss Vancouver beauty pageant, but was eliminated when word got out that she’s had a sex change operation to become a woman.

Talackova is saddened with the organizers’ decision but won’t be making an official statement before consulting with her lawyer.

She did, however, take to Twitter to discuss the situation:

“I’m disqualified, however I’m not giving up. I’m not going to just let them disqualify me over discrimination.”

The 23-year-old who says she was “disqualified for being born,” has been vocal about her transgender past. However, the pageant organizers insist that she registered for the pageant claiming that she was born a woman.

Talackova, who regards herself as a “woman – with a history,” knew she was meant to be a female when she was just 4 years old and started hormone therapy at the age of 14. She also underwent a sex change operation in 2010.

The organizers have taken her profile off of the Miss Universe Canada website. However, critics argue that the basic requirements for eligibility to take part in the beauty pageant don’t mention anything regarding sex change or cosmetic surgery.

The 61st annual Miss Universe Canada Pageant will be held at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in Toronto on May 19.

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