Sex-change teen and aspiring model Jackie Green is another step closer to being crowned Miss England.
Jackie, 18, from Leeds, became the youngest person in the world to undergo full gender reassignment surgery on her 16th birthday.
But after sharing her emotional plight Jackie has successfully clinched the public vote to secure her place in the Miss England semi-final.
From being a toddler Jackie – who was born a boy and called Jack by her parents – always acted like a girl and insisted on wearing feminine clothes and playing with girls’ toys.
Her parents came to terms with the fact she was really a girl trapped inside a boy’s body after she tried to commit suicide four times.
They spent, in total, £28,000 on her treatment.
At her lowest point the teenager even threatened to cut off her own genitals with a knife.
Jackie, who won the public vote in a heat of the national beauty pageant, impressed a panel of judges to become the first transgender teenager to go through to the Miss England semi-final.
Now she has her sights set on the top prize.
She told the YEP: “I’m ecstatic to get through. I never expected it.
“It’s been lovely to see the support from everyone and I have had so many people emailing me saying that they hope I win.
“I have come this far and now I am in it to win it but if I don’t then that’s just how it goes.
“Lots of people have been in touch and it makes me blush to think I have inspired others.
“I never thought I would be able to inspire anyone.”
Jackie entered the competition after she was spotted by scouts at Britain’s Next Top Model show in London.
Supportive mum Susie added: “I’m just really proud of her.
“She’s been through such an awful lot but she has chosen to put herself out there and at risk.
“There is a lot of prejudice out there but she is trying to make people understand this isn’t a choice and it can be ok.”
Miss England semi-finals will be held at Champneys, in Leicestershire, on May 30. For information visit www.missengland.info.
laura.bowyer@ypn.co.uk
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