Traditional pageants always seem the same, beautiful girls all promising to bring world peace once they win the crown, however, this year, Jenelle Hutcherson, 25, is going to mix things up a bit. Hutcherson is switching out the long-heralded ball gown for a tuxedo and the perfect up-do for a Mohawk. Hutcherson is a Long Beach hair artist and also the first lesbian to rock the runway in the pageant’s 61-year history.

This chance opportunity happened at The Den Salon, where Hutcherson works, in a conversation with Justin Rudd, the director of the pageant. He suggested that she enter. Rudd told Hutcherson that her individuality would be embraced in the pageant world.

Media attention has definitely been focused on this effort and Hutcherson is using the platform to promote individual beauty and raise awareness of the surge in bullying, some of which has been directed to the gay community. Hutcherson was one of those kids in her past and is hoping to now help those going through what she previously had. Hutcherson wants to give hope to these kids and show also that beauty comes in all different forms.

Hutcherson has faced a lot of scrutiny in her life; such as when her father died of AIDS when she was only 10-years old and also when she came out as a lesbian in high school. Hutcherson is going to take part in Donald Trump’s Miss California USA pageant in January in an effort to keep her message of individuality going.