Milwaukee native celebrates visibility as non-binary Miss WI USA candidate

MILWAUKEE  — Meet Annia Leonard. “I’ve tattoos, I am dark-skinned and I additionally determine as non-binary femme. And I’m going by they/them,” stated the reigning Miss Milwaukee County whereas sipping espresso at Sherman Perk in Milwaukee’s Sherman Park neighborhood. “These are all issues that aren’t widespread for the Miss Wisconsin winner,” they famous.

Whereas Annia says profitable felt like an extended shot — competing for the title of Miss Wisconsin USA grew to become a optimistic expertise. “I met some actually hearth, dynamic people that I actually have respect for,” defined Annia. “(And) through the pageant they stated my pronouns, they/them, which was very significant for me.”

A pageant spokesperson instructed TMJ4 they had been very proud to have Annia take part and had been honored to see Annia win the Spirit of Miss USA & Miss Teen USA award. The spirit award celebrates a contestant being boldy who they’re. They’re typically leaders or individuals who raise up others, typically, within the face of adversity.

Up to now, Annia needed to study to navigate meals insecurity. It fueled their curiosity in now driving the MKE Good Meals Bus, which brings reasonably priced produce to neighborhoods throughout town.

Experiencing homelessness led Annia to assist create a housing answer for queer folks in Milwaukee. So what lies on the street forward? Annia will focus this 12 months on ongoing efforts to supply youth the instruments to heal from home violence and sexual assault and can proceed to create artwork and gender-inclusive clothes.

“I really like my neighborhood and I am actually invested in seeing the development and in addition the success of every neighborhood of Milwaukee,” they stated. Annia additionally acknowledged that, in some ways, the previous has propelled them to the place they’re — and the place they’re nonetheless going.

Annia hopes to see future non-binary pageant candidates. And their visibility continues to develop. Proper now, Annie is within the working to be the quilt mannequin on a global journal.

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