Jimena Navarrete, the recently crowned Miss Universe, spoke out in support of LGBT rights and marriage equality this week, on a Mexican radio programme.

According to Navarrete: ’I don’t believe it’s just to discriminate somebody based on the gender they prefer, right? Based on the partner they choose to select, if it’s a man or a woman. The truth is that I am absolutely against discrimination… There is no reason we should want to set them (the LGBT community) aside, there is no reason why we shouldn’t let them enjoy what they want to enjoy with their partner.’

Navarette’s words seem to be symptomatic of Mexico’s progressive views on LGBT rights. Over the past decade, Mexico has made steady advances in securing rights for LGBT people; in 2010 alone, Mexico City legalized marriage equality and Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled that all states must recognize marriages performed in the capital.

The nature of beauty pageants comes with its own set of questionable issues and for better or worse beauty pageant winners are role models for young girls. The fact that the current Miss Universe is a supporter of LGBT equality will send the message that all people — regardless of sexual or gender identity — deserve equal rights.

You can read more on this from Gender Across Borders.