RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Winner of Miss Gay Universe Brazil 2019, hairdresser Jurandir Junior, from Sertãozinho (São Paulo), decided to pay tribute to Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Our Lady of Aparecida), Brazil’s patron saint, during the pageant that elected the best crossdresser in the country.
Junior, who cross-dresses into Lorelai Muller, says that the inspiration arose during the selection of the costume that would pay tribute to the city and the home state.
The saint was chosen for being the patron saint of Sertãozinho and for the fact that the image had been found in a São Paulo river, according to the Catholic faith.
With the help of his boyfriend and nieces, the hairdresser did not think twice and started making the costume. Confident of himself, Junior, who is also a devotee of the saint, says he did not fear the controversy that his choice might stir up.
“I heard comments from friends [who] were worried, but I told them I was not afraid or scared, because I would be paying tribute, I wouldn’t be doing anything to damage her image,” he says.
At 21, Junior says he does not attend churches regularly, but he has faith in Our Lady, to whom he goes to ask for help to face difficulties and to persevere in conquering his dreams.
The Miss Gay Universe Brazil sash was awarded in São Paulo in late July, after two days of catwalks, lectures, and workshops on issues related to the LGBT community. The hairdresser also relied on the help of family and friends.
In addition to the costs related to travel and accommodation, Junior says he spent around R$8,000 (US$2,000) on costumes, hair, and makeup. Before reaching the national stage, he also won the state contest in February, when he invested approximately R$5,000.
This was the first time that Junior competed in state and national beauty pageants, but the dream of parading on these catwalks has been there since he started to crossdress three years ago.
“There was prejudice even within myself. Due to unawareness and what I heard at home, I said I would never crossdress or put on a wig. Today it’s totally different,” he says. “It’s an artistic approach, I use Lorelai to pass on information to people,” he adds.
With the Miss Gay Universe Brazil sash draped on his shoulder, Junior is preparing to dispute the international pageant in Colombia, in 2020.