First transgender woman crowned Miss Nevada reflects on making history

First transgender woman crowned Miss Nevada reflects on making history

Kataluna Enriquez has always loved creating things.

“At a young age, I was unable to play with the toys I wanted,” Enriquez said. “I remember walking up to my sister’s room so I could play with her dolls. I would cut up my socks and turn them into dresses.”

On Sunday night, Enriquez was wearing one of her own creations — a rainbow-colored sequin dress — when she was crowned Miss Nevada, making history as the first transgender woman to do so. 

Enriquez, who immigrated from the Philippines with her family at the age of 10, now owns her own fashion business and designs costumes and evening gowns. She’ll spend the next several months preparing to compete for Miss USA in November.

Enriquez recently spoke with the Reno Gazette Journal following her big win and shared her experiences as a transgender woman competing for Miss Nevada.