The 8th annual Miss International Queen beauty pageant was held in Pattaya in Thailand. The twenty-one contestants from fifteen countries were all born male, so the Miss International Queen 2012 pageant is not an average beauty pageant.

Kevin Balot, a contestant from the Philippines was crowned the winner at the Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant. Kevin was awarded was awarded $10,000, an apartment in Pattaya for a year, and a Thai cell phone. Plus, of course, the coveted Miss International Queen 2012 crown (which she has to give back for next year’s competition).

Contestant Miriam Jimenez, Filippine, was born Bryan Arconado Jimenez. In an August interview, she said, “I can still remember when I was a kid, I wanted to have what girls have. I played with my mom’s makeup and put it on my face”. (Photo by Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

Panvilas Mongkol, a contestant from Thailand, waits for the start of the final night of Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya November 2, 2012. Some 21 contestants from 15 countries, all of them born male, compete in the week-long event for the crown of Miss International Queen 2012. (Photo by Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

Ruby Bella Cruz, USA, gets her makeup done. (Photo by Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

Jessika Simoed, a contestant from Brazil, gets her make-up done before the start of the final night of Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya November 2, 2012. (Photo by Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

Jimenez, a contestant from Philippines, prepares to go onto stage during Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. (Photo by Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

Contestants prepare to go onto stage during Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. (Photo by Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

Sunny Dee-Lite, a contestant from the U.S., gets her picture taken before the start of the final night of Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya November 2, 2012. Some 21 contestants from 15 countries, all of them born male, compete in the week-long event for the crown of Miss International Queen 2012. (Photo by Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

Tukishima Beni, a contestant from Japan, gets her make-up done before the start of the final night of Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya November 2, 2012. (Photo by Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

Kevin Balot reacts after being announced winner at the Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya. (Photo by Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

Kevin Balot, a contestant from the Philippines, reacts after being crowned the winner at the Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya November 2, 2012. (Photo by Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

Kevin Balot – Miss International Queen 2012 winner. (Photo by Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

Kevin Balot, a contestant from the Philippines, reacts as being crowned winner at the Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya November 2, 2012. (Photo by Damir Sagolj/Reuters)