Organisers of the Mini Miss Tasmania pageant, now in its 11th year in Hobart, announced transgender model Lucy Violet Faulkner from Victoria as a 2026 contestant on Facebook earlier this week.
Faulkner, who competed last year and earned awards like co-winner of Ultimate Rising Star and a teen division runner-up spot, drew sharp criticism from gender-critical voices questioning fairness for biological women.
Supporters highlight the pageant’s open-to-all ethos celebrating confidence, while no statement from organisers has addressed the uproar as tickets remain on sale.
