An Inclusive Litany

4/25/01

Responding to rumors of impropriety, organizers of this year's Miss Universe contest demanded proof that Miss France, 19-year-old Elodie Gossuin, was not actually a 27-year-old transvestite cabaret dancer called Nicolas Levanneur.

The incident was widely interpreted as an affront to French womanhood. "I am scandalized, shocked, outraged and profoundly upset," said Genevieve de Fontenay, longtime organizer of the Miss France contest. "There's no doubt that Miss France is a woman. Of course there's no doubt. I've been running this competition for 45 years, do you think that men have never tried to enter before?"