By Paul Hutnick
Photos: Jay New
When Altesse Aurum steps onto the stage at the Miss International Queen – USA pageant in Atlantic City this March, she will be carrying far more than a sash emblazoned with “Georgia.” A former United States Air Force service member, a transgender woman, and a Southern beauty forged through resilience, Aurum arrives at the national competition with a story shaped by service, struggle, and unwavering self-determination.
“I hope that people who hear my story will see themselves reflected in one way or another,” Aurum says of representing Georgia on such a prestigious stage. “Many seasoned pageant queens reside in the state of Georgia, and I hope to file my name amongst theirs.”
Her presence comes at a time when visibility for transgender women feels more urgent than ever. Aurum’s platform centers on advocacy for transgender individuals and veterans experiencing homelessness: two communities she knows intimately. “As a veteran, I see the homeless veterans. I also see many in the trans community experiencing the same,” she explains. “There is a wealth of resources for homeless veterans, and I want to be an advocate and a focal point for trans people and others who need help the most.”
That sense of purpose is grounded in legacy. “The privilege to be a trans woman is an honor brought to me by generations of courageous women who fought for my right to exist,” Aurum says. That legacy also made it possible for her to serve openly. She spent more than 12 years in the U.S. Air Force, including a deployment to Afghanistan, working as a helicopter and cargo plane mechanic before serving as a unit training manager.
“I am ambitious because of the women before me who fought in the face of adversity,” she adds. “I am tenacious because I am a proven triple threat of intelligence, poise, and literacy.”
As a Southern queen, Aurum views pageantry as both celebration and resistance. “When we were not allowed to compete in other pageants, we created our own,” she says, reflecting on the deep roots of Southern drag and trans pageant culture. “We made them more extravagant and a celebration of the amazing talents of the community.” Her own journey has already broken barriers. “I have stepped into many pageants being the first trans woman seen in the military and making my name in history. As a veteran, I may be the only woman competing who has been an active service member while also being trans.”
Her vision of Southern glamour is unapologetically authentic. “The South is as real as it gets: real bodies, real beauty, and authentic nerve and attitude,” she says. Onstage, she promises opulence with a wink. “I plan to do it like only a lady of the South could: being opulent, well-moisturized (shoutout to Vaseline), and pleasant to look at for extended periods of time.”
For Altesse Aurum, Miss International Queen – USA is more than a competition; it’s a declaration of survival and visibility. After leaving the military, she faced depression, anger, and suicidal thoughts. “While I battled through the darkest of my thoughts, I am reassured that I am deserving of life, love, and compassion,” she shares.
When she takes the stage in March, Aurum hopes her journey resonates far beyond crowns and gowns. “In March, you will see a goddess,” she proclaims. “But you will know she fought battles to get here. She was knocked over, got back up, and came back swinging—and so should you.”
Miss International Queen – USA (MIQ-USA) takes place in Atlantic City March 26–27, 2026. Tickets are available at Bethetransformationalchange.org/miq-usa-tickets. Those unable to attend may support the BTTC Fund by texting BTTC to 302-725-4509. Follow @missinternationalqueenusa.