Jenna Talackova, the transgender beauty queen who was disqualified to compete for 2012 Miss Universe Canada, will now be allowed to enter the competition.

The 23-year-old contestant was thrown out of the pageant last month when organisers found out she had undergone surgery to become a woman. The officials of the beauty pageant denied charges of discrimination and said the reason why a male-to-female transgender contestant could not compete was because Miss Talackova lied on her application form.

From right: Jenna Talackova & Miss Korea

Here’s the official statement from Miss Universe committee:

“The Miss Universe Organization will allow Jenna Talackova to compete in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada pageant provided she meets the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and the standards established by other international competitions.”

The statement, provided by MUO President Paula Shugart and Public Relations director Brenda Mendoza was published at the Beauties of Canada website, organizers of Miss Universe Canada.

The 2012 Miss Universe Canada pageant will be held on May 19, 2012.