The founder of the Miss Tasmania pageant has condemned the online hatred directed at transgender contestant Lucy Faulkner.
Trigger warning: this article contains imagery that some may find distressing.
The Mini Miss Pageant, which hosts the Miss Tasmania pageant, aims to foster confidence and develop self-worth.
This week, the organisation has seen a lot of online hate targeted at one of the pageant contestants, Lucy Faulkner.
Lucy is transgender, and when a post announcing her as part of the 2026 pageant was posted, the organisation removed the post after harassing comments online targeted Lucy and other contestants.
The founder of the Miss Tasmania pageant has hit back, telling The Mercury that this was “hatred” directed at a trans contestant.
Lucy is from Geelong and competed in the 2025 Miss Tasmania pageant, receiving the Princess Encouragement.
She has had to lock down all of her social media since the online harassment began at the start of the week.
‘There is no need for extra hate’
Grace Morton launched Miss Tasmania a decade ago and told The Mercury the pageant has always been about inclusion, confidence and empowerment.
The post announcing Lucy’s participation was uploaded on Saturday.
By midday Monday, the comments had become “very hostile”, and the decision was made to take the post down.
Social media accounts framing themselves as news said that “debate was stirring” regarding Lucy’s involvement in the pageant.
“They were commenting on some of the little girls (posts) as well,” Morton said.
“Everyone is allowed their own opinion, but there is no need for the extra hate.”
“We’re trying to bring something positive to the community as we have for the last 10 years.”
Source: FacebookMs Morton said that this was the first time a contestant announcement had triggered such a response.
The pageant has been commended for creating a space of inclusion and empowerment.
“We praise the organisers of Miss Tasmania for their inclusive and non-discriminatory approach and wish Lucy Faulkner well,” Equality Tasmania spokesperson Trenton Hoare said.
“Since 2013, the Miss Universe contest has allowed transgender women to participate, so this is not something new.”
Mx Hoare highlighted the “obsessive way” in which anti-trans groups targeted trans women in women’s events as “concerning”.
“These attacks damage the well-being of trans and gender-diverse people, as well as the broader LGBTIQA+ community.”
‘A chance for everyone to get up on the stage and just feel gorgeous’
Speaking in Lucy’s defence, Morton said that “she’s competed in beauty pageants across Australia.”
Entries for the pageant are open Australia-wide and are for “everyone”, she added.
“It’s open to absolutely anyone, all ages, all abilities.”
“It’s literally a chance for everyone to get up on the stage and just feel gorgeous.”
Every contestant receives a sash and a tiara, with the foundation for the pageant being “confidence and empowerment”.
Contestants travel from across the country to take part in the pageant, with categories for infants to people aged over 26 years old.
“All pageants Australia-wide are open to all Australian competitors,” Morton said.
Noting that Lucy had done nothing wrong by entering and had fulfilled all criteria.
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