The first week of November 2024 was a difficult time for many in the LGBTQ+ community, as the result of the U.S. presidential election was not what we had hoped for. But there was a bright spot in the week, too: the Trans USA National Pageant crowned Mr., Ms., and for the very first time – Mx. – Trans USA.
Forty contestants from all over the country came together in Milwaukee, WI in a demonstration of resilience, love, and confidence. Over the course of four November days, each contestant walked the stage, showcasing their unique identity and challenging stigmas surrounding the transgender community.
Carrying themselves with grace and strength amidst an audience of hundreds, they each provided meaningful insight into their individuality and their fight for transgender rights across the nation.They not only competed for the title, but provided the spark to engage us all in the fight that is to come, the fight for our right to live.
The Mx. (pronounced “mix”) division represents a large and often-overlooked portion of the LGBTQ+ community: non-binary individuals, or people who do not identify with the traditional gender binary.
Ohio’s Damien Serrato – who uses both he and they pronouns – winner of the Mx. division, sat down with the Buckeye Flame to talk about the pageant and the importance of representation for non-binary people and the Black trans community.
Serrato, also known as Bleu Eclipse Darling, is a notable LGBTQ+ activist and drag entertainer from Toledo, who competed alongside 11 other non-binary individuals from all over the U.S.
“The fact that it was the first year for Mx. division was incredible,” Serrato said. “It is finally [time] for the non-binary person to be able to come out and showcase who they are, and what it means to be non-binary.”
Other pageants have included the Mx. category; however, not to the level of authenticity that Serrato believes the Trans USA National Pageant has.
“A lot of drag pageants, when they do a ‘mixed” category,’ it’s a lot of ‘mixed’ performing,” he said “If they have a Ms. division, they want you to look like a ‘Miss.’If you have a Mr. division, you have to be a male entertainer or at least a male impersonator. They want you to look very masculine.
“I didn’t fit on either of those sides, and even going for a mixed category at another pageant, I still didn’t make the cut because I went with more of who I am, instead of the box they were still trying to put me in.”
Non-binary individuals often struggle to find authentic representation of their identities, because many cisgender people have their own interpretations on what a non-binary person ‘should’ look like; often referencing an androgynous style.
But advocates for the non-binary community often point out that clothing does not have a gender, and that anyone can present themselves as they want and still be valid in their gender identity.
“When people imagine non-binary, they imagine people like James Charles, who identifies as a man but considers himself androgynous,” Serrato said. “That’s what people envision, you know – a boy that looks like a girl, or a girl who’s trying to be a tomboy or someone just trying to be an amalgamation.
“Take what you think you know about non-binary people and just throw it out the window,” they added. “We do not care. All that matters is that you respect that we do not conform to gender norms.”
As a non-binary transgender person myself, being able to witness each Mx. contestants compete with this understanding was truly inspiring. Their individual presentations of their gender identity authentically and beautifully. Some presented themselves more feminine, others more masculine and still others sought out to redefine the notion of gender presentation altogether.
The introduction of the Mx. division was not the only historical moment for the Trans USA National Pageant: The class of 2024 crowned the first ever all- Black court, with Beyonce B. St. James as Miss Trans USA 2024, Scrappy Legacy as Mr. Trans USA 2024 and Serrato as Mx. Trans USA 2024.
The moment was not lost on Serrato.
“With this recent election, it is so important that this court, this being the first Black court, is a statement,” he said. “It is almost a power stance. There are people out there who just do not care because we don’t look like them; we don’t act like them; but we’re not afraid to stand in the spotlight.
“It is so important that our voices are heard. It is so important that we are the leaders, because we are the oppressed. And if we can lead the way, that means anybody could follow us, just like when we led the marches.”
A defining moment of the pageant came near the end, when the top five contestants of each division were asked to pick a random envelope and answer the question on stage without preparation.
Serrato’s question was: “How are you different in your advocacy, what makes you special, and what advice do you have moving forward?”
His answer: “What makes my advocacy different and special is how I can draw people in. I make people feel safe. It’s my love. It’s my light. I create a family no matter where I go, and I’m always there to listen to problems and I aim to try to fix those problems.
“My advice is to know when it is your time to speak. There is always going to be a spotlight, but the spotlight is not always yours. Take a moment, realize the spotlight is not yours, and let the right voice have that spotlight.”
Serrato will spend the upcoming year using their title to advocate for their community by traveling around the country to various pageants and working with LGBTQ+ organizations – including Queer Black Collective – and inspiring those who are out, questioning or closeted to be true to who they are.
“Never be afraid of the little voice in your head that’s telling you to be yourself,’” Serrato said. “Sometimes being yourself is more freeing than being who everybody wants you to be. Don’t let them dim your sparkle.” 🔥
Ignite Action
- To learn more about the Trans USA National Pageant, please visit www.transusanationalpageantry.com. Registration for the class of 2025 is now open, along with several opportunities to get involved as a sponsor or promoter.
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