Martina Sobková, a 36-year-old media professional and model, is set to make history as the first Czech contestant to compete at Miss International Queen, the world’s largest beauty pageant for transgender women. Held annually in Pattaya, Thailand, the event celebrates beauty, diversity, and visibility for the global transgender community.
Sobková, who previously reached the finals of Miss Universe Czech Republic 2025, described her participation as deeply personal and symbolic. “This competition isn’t just about beauty. It’s about finding your place, overcoming obstacles, and moving forward even when no one believed in you,” she said on social media.
A personal journey from invisibility to confidence
Martina Sobková’s path to the international stage has been shaped by her struggle for authenticity and recognition in both her personal and professional life. Assigned male at birth and raised as Matěj, Sobková spent years concealing her gender identity.
“Around the age of 15 or 16, I repressed the woman inside me,” she told iDnes.cz. “I tried to become that sporty, attractive guy. And I think I even succeeded. But pretending made relationships hard.”
Despite outward appearances, Sobková’s internal conflict persisted into adulthood. At 26, she made the life-changing decision to transition. It came at a cost: shortly after completing her master’s degree in media, she lost her job. Subsequent job applications went unanswered. “I started applying as a woman, and no one ever called back,” she said.
A turning point came when she was offered a role at Bankovnictví magazine, thanks to editor Tomáš Houdek, who judged her not for her identity, but for her abilities. Today, she leads the publication, moderates its podcast Bankast, and represents it at conferences across Europe.
Sobková’s modeling career began in parallel with her gender transition. Initially, she felt pressured to pursue physical perfection.
“I wanted to be perfect—to prove to myself and others that I had the same chance as anyone born in a female body,” she said. But with time and experience, her view evolved. “When I learned to love myself as I am, I realized I could be beautiful without completely reshaping my body.”
Breaking barriers on an international stage
Miss International Queen is more than a beauty contest; it is one of the few platforms offering global visibility to transgender women. Its mission centers on fostering inclusion, cultural exchange, and awareness.
For Sobková, the invitation to participate is not only a personal victory but also a milestone for the Czech transgender community, which remains underrepresented in mainstream public life. Sobková’s presence at the pageant marks a significant step for the country, where transgender representation in media and cultural institutions is still relatively limited.
While trans rights in the country have advanced in recent years—such as loosening requirements for gender recognition—social stigma and discrimination remain challenges. Sobková’s success sends a message of resilience and visibility.
The Miss International Queen pageant is scheduled to take place later this year in Pattaya. The reigning winner is Catalina Marsano from Peru. For Sobková, the event is more than a beauty pageant: it’s a platform to show that transgender women from Czechia can take the world stage with confidence and dignity.
“I’m proud to represent Czechia at Miss International Queen,” she writes. “This isn’t just about beauty. It’s about fighting for your place, breaking barriers, and standing tall when no one believed in you.”