Miss International Queen 2012 is Kevin Balot from the Philippines!

Filipino transgender Kevin Balot won the biggest title in gay beauty pageants when she was crowned Miss International Queen 2012 last Friday in Pattaya, Thailand.

Miss International Queen is an annual pageant for transgenders all over the world. There are no local pageants that choose the representatives, and contestants are not limited to just one per country.

Kevin, who was also this year’s Miss Photogenic, is the 8th Miss International Queen. The pageant started in 2004 and has been held annually in Pattaya since then.

1st runner-up was Brazil’s Jessika Simoes and 2nd runner-up was Thailand’s Panvilas Mongkol.

Two more Filipinos entered the top 10 - Michelle Montecarlo and Miriam Jimenez. Meanwhile, another Pinoy Stefania Cruz won the Miss Ripley’s Popular Vote special award.

Others in the top 10 were Beni Tukishima (Japan), Sunny Dee-Lite (USA), Imanni Da Silva (Angola), Matricia Mae Centino (Guam), and Bianca Gold (Brazil).

Other special awards: Best in Evening Gown – Sunny Dee-Lite (USA); Miss Congeniality – Noah Herrera (Venezuela); Miss Talent – Beni Tukishima (Japan); Best in National Costume – Yuki Tachibana (Japan); and Miss Perfect Skin By Asoke Skin Hospital – Matricia Mae Centino (Guam).