‘Breaks my heart’: First openly trans woman to compete in Miss Georgia steps away from competition, gives up title

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A transgender woman from metro Atlanta will no longer run in the Miss Georgia USA competition, she announced on Monday.

In a social media statement, 22-year-old Bella Bautista said she has relinquished her Miss Buckhead USA 2025 title and will not take the stage at the statewide event, which will be held in McDonough in June.

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Atlanta News First spoke with Bautista one-on-one.

“This has been a dream that I’ve had for so many years. Something I worked for — for so many years. To have to step away is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my entire life,” she said.

Bautista added that there are “ongoing legal proceedings,” although she didn’t offer specifics.

Bautista said she was concerned about being treated equally and judged fairly in the competition.

“Their actions no longer aligned with my ambition for inclusivity and a world free of discrimination,” she said. “I hope that the visibility that I gain will light the way for the next transgender person to have a spot in that pageant.”

In February, Bautista became the first openly transgender woman to announce she would run for Miss Georgia USA. The winner will compete nationally to be named Miss USA.

“You know what, I’m just going to sign up, I’m going to wish for the best and hopefully that I am treated fairly and scored fairly as well,” she told Atlanta News First at the time.

Now, Bautista said the decision to step out wasn’t easy.

“It breaks my heart that this moment won’t come to fruition, but I remain committed to my purpose,” she said in her social media statement. “I entered this competition to show that transgender belong, that we are deserving of space, celebration, and the chance to pursue our dreams — nothing about that has changed."

Bautista has created a GoFundMe page to help with legal expenses.

Atlanta News First reached out to Greenwood Productions, the company that produces the Miss Georgia USA pageant, but we have not heard back.