Jenna Talackova, the transgender beauty queen famous for fighting for her right to compete in Miss Universe Canada, has picked a new battle with the World Health Organization and its classification of transsexualism as a mental illness.
In an online petition titled "World Health Organization: Trans people aren't sick!" Tackalova aims to collect 35,000 names to put pressure on the WHO to change its transsexualism classification.
"This is such an important issue," Talackova posted on Facebook. "Please join me in signing this petition, and encouraging others to as well."
The World Health Organization considers transsexualism a gender identity disorder, a subset class of general adult mental and behavioural disorders.
According to its manual of "International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems":
F64.2 | Gender identity disorder of childhoodA disorder, usually first manifest during early childhood (and always well before puberty), characterized by a persistent and intense distress about assigned sex, together with a desire to be (or insistence that one is) of the other sex. There is a persistent preoccupation with the dress and activities of the opposite sex and repudiation of the individual's own sex. The diagnosis requires a profound disturbance of the normal gender identity; mere tomboyishness in girls or girlish behaviour in boys is not sufficient.
As of Saturday, 31,000 people from across North America have signed the form.
"Because my oldest child is now transitioning from MTF!!!" signed Jo Harks from Vancouver.
Dr. Lori Brotto, director of UBC's sexual health laboratory, told Metro News that if the change is made to declassify transsexualism as a mental illness, access to services covered by heath care and insurance policies like psychiatric care and sex reassignment surgeries are at risk.
Talackova grabbed headlines in May after the Miss Universe Canada contestant was disqualified by pageant owner Donald Trump because she was born a boy. She underwent sex-change surgery at age 19.
After a lawsuit, and much media and public pressure, the Vancouver beauty queen was allowed to compete after pageant officials made a formal rule change.
Although she did not win the pageant title, Tackalova served as a parade grand marshal of Vancouver's 2012 Pride Parade.
Click through our slideshow of Jenna's journey.
Jenna Talackova
Transgendered beauty queen Jenna Talackova reacts as she makes the top 20 cut in the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Toronto on Saturday May 19, 2012. Talackova sparked global attention when she was initially disqualified from the pageant. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)
Jenna Talackova
Transgendered beauty queen Jenna Talackova watches a fellow contestant take to the stage in the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Toronto on Saturday May 19, 2012. Talackova sparked global attention when she was initially disqualified from the pageant. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)
Jenna Talackova
Transgendered beauty queen Jenna Talackova, center, appears in the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Toronto on Saturday May 19, 2012. Talackova sparked global attention when she was initially disqualified from the pageant. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)
Jenna Talackova
Transgendered beauty queen Jenna Talackova reacts as she makes the top 20 cut in the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Toronto on Saturday May 19, 2012. Talackova sparked global attention when she was initially disqualified from the pageant. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim
Jenna Talackova, the first transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant, is seen during a photo shoot at the Sandman Signature Hotel in Toronto on Saturday, May 12, 2012, in advance of the Miss Universe Canada pageant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim
(Alex Urosevic/iPhotoLive.com)
62 finalists for Miss Universe Canada pose for a photo in advance of the pageant. (Alex Urosevic/iPhotoLive.com)
Jenna Talackova, the first transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant, poses during a photo shoot at the Sandman Signature Hotel in Toronto on Saturday, May 12, 2012 ahead the Miss Universe Canada pageant. Talackova, a Vancouver resident, underwent a sex change four years ago after being born a male. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Aaron Vincent Elkaim)
(Alex Urosevic/iPhotoLive.com)
(Alex Urosevic/iPhotoLive.com)
Vancouver's transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant Jenna Talackova arrives with fellow pageant contestants at St. John Vianney Catholic School in Toronto on Tuesday May 15, 2012.(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)
Jenna Talackova, the first transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant, is photographed with other contestants during a photo call at the Sandman Signature Hotel in Toronto on Saturday, May 12, 2012 ahead of the Miss Universe Canada pageant. Talackova, a Vancouver resident, underwent a sex change four years ago after being born a male. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Aaron Vincent Elkaim)
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Aaron Vincent Elkaim)
Jenna Talackova takes a picture with 11-year-old student Kadeen Drummond as Miss Universe Canada contestants visit St. John Vianney Catholic School in Toronto on Tuesday May 15, 2012. Talackova says she's proud to be opening the door for other transgender pageant hopefuls who may want to follow in her footsteps. Talackova ignited a media firestorm after she was initially disqualified from the pageant because she isn't a naturally born female. Pageant owner Donald Trump overruled the decision and said Talackova could take part. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)
Vancouver's transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant Jenna Talackova gestures as Miss Universe Canada contestants visit St. John Vianney Catholic School in Toronto on Tuesday May 15, 2012. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)
Jenna Talackova enjoys pool side at a Los Angeles hotel, April 2, 2012. (iPhotoLIve.com)
Jenna Talackova smiles at a press conference with her attorney Gloria Allred (not pictured) in Los Angeles on April 3, 2012 in California. Talackova was previously disqualified from Miss Universe Canada, she said, because she used to be male. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
Jenna Talackova looks on at a press conference in Los Angeles as her attorney Gloria Allred displays Jenna's passport on April 3, 2012. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
Jenna Talackova, who advanced to the finals of the Miss Canada competition, part of the Miss Universe contest, and was recently forced out of the competition, is listed in her passport as female (with other personal identifying information redacted) at a news conference in Los Angeles Tuesday, April 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
In this image released by ABC, beauty contestant Jenna Talackova, left, poses with ABC's Barbara Walters at an interview Thursday, April 5, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/ABC, Heidi Gutman)
Also on HuffPost:
1. Defining Transgenderism
The root of the word "transgender" comes from the Latin word "trans," meaning "across." A trans-Atlantic flight goes across the Atlantic Ocean; a transnational issue affects people all across the country; and so on. "Transgender" literally means "across gender." "Transgender" is defined today as an umbrella term with many different identities existing under it. <em>Image via ccharmon on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9439733@N02/4922468556/" target="_hplink">Flickr.com</a></em>
2. A Few Words Of Advice
When trans people reveal their trans identity to someone, it is a highly personal moment. It takes trust and courage to talk about gender identity or gender transition. The best-case scenario is probably to: 1) ask what questions, if any, are appropriate; and 2) give the trans person an out if he or she feels like you are overstepping your bounds (even though your questions may be born of an innocent curiosity). This makes it easier for a trans person to maintain privacy and integrity.
3. The Gender Binary
The gender binary exists for easy categorization and labeling purposes. For most people, it is something that is taken for granted. Females who identify as women use the women's restroom. Males who identify as men dress in suits and ties or tuxedos for formal events. It is the way it is, and that fits well for many people. But for trans people living in a culture where the gender binary rules all, it is a daily battle. <em>Image via kimberlykv on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimberlykv/2681705695/sizes/z/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Flickr.com</a></em>
4. Gender Expression
Out of the three terms -- "sex," "gender identity," and "gender expression" -- which do you think we notice most about people on a daily basis? If it were a person's sex, then we would have to see under that person's clothes or test his or her chromosomes (and even then we could get a conflicting report). If it were a person's gender identity, we would have to either ask that person how he or she identifies or somehow get inside the brain and find the answer for ourselves. By process of elimination, you guessed it: it's gender expression. <em>Image via MuLaN™ on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mulan5/1586972480/sizes/z/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Flickr.com</a></em>
5. Orientation And Gender
If we look at society as a diverse group of individuals where heterosexuality might be the most common sexual orientation but not necessarily normal, then we can more easily see that human sexual orientation varies: some people happen to be straight, some gay, some bisexual, and so on. This does not necessarily have anything to do with a person's gender identity or expression.
6. Coming Out To Oneself
Realization that one is trans can take anywhere from a few moments to several decades. Usually, trans people have an inkling early on in their lives that their assigned gender feels out of sync with their bodies. The self-realization process is extremely complicated. The human mind does its best to help us survive, which can translate into triggering intense denial. Because of societal constraints, it is common for a person to try to ignore signs pointing toward transgenderism, whether consciously or unconsciously.
7. Surgeries
Health insurance covers transgender surgeries in very few cases. Some people have fewer surgeries than they would like because of the high prices. Still other trans people elect not to have surgery at all because they simply do not want to. For a long time, and still in many places today, people refer to some transgender surgery as "sex-change" surgery. Later on came the less-harsh sounding "sex-reassignment surgery." Today, more and more people are realizing that surgery for trans people is not a gender "reassignment" but rather an affirmation of the gender that a person has always been. Gender-affirming surgery seems to be the most accurate reflection of this.
8. Hormonal Transition
For trans women, taking hormones is a two-step process. To help feminize a genetic male, it is very important to suppress production of testosterone. The other step that transgender women frequently take is the administration of estrogen, which is the chief hormone at work in biological females. Unlike their male-to-female counterparts, trans men do not have to take any estrogen-suppressing substances as part of their hormone treatments. Testosterone (called simply "T" in the female-to-male community) is a powerful hormone. The raising of testosterone levels in a trans man overpowers existing estrogen levels.
9. Transgender Children
There can't really be transgender children, can there? Kids can't know for sure how they feel when they're really young, right? Wrong. Gender identity is thought to be solidified by age 6. This does not mean that children absolutely, positively know how they identify by that age. It simply means that their gender identity is there. If it doesn't match up with the sex they were assigned at birth, then that will start to manifest itself in different ways. <em>Image via libertygrace0 on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35168673@N03/3595145967/sizes/z/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">Flickr.com</a></em>
10. Sex, Gender And Nature
Many plants and animals can be both male and female, biologically speaking, at the same time or at different points in their lives. In a comparison of 34 postmortem human brains, scientists found that the part of the brain comprising a small group of nerve cells thought to pertain to gender and sexuality were similar in trans women and non-trans women. Although the study only had one trans man's brain, it found that group of nerve cells to be similar to that of a non-trans man. Perhaps Dr. Milton Diamond put it best when he said, "Biology loves variation. Biology loves differences. Society hates it."
11. Transgenderism As A Mental Health Issue
Gender identity disorder (GID) appears in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), which is the American Psychiatric Association's official diagnostic book. GID, soon to be changed to gender dysphoria in the DSM 5, is classified as a mental health condition in which a person desires to be the "opposite" sex of that assigned to him or her at birth. Due to its criteria, many trans people fall under this diagnosis. It is still classified as a mental disorder by virtue of its existence in the DSM.
12. The Bathroom Debacle
Imagine resigning yourself to not ever using the bathroom in a public place. For trans people, this is often a reality. Those who are in transition or do not pass on the outside as "clearly male" or "clearly female" are thrown out of both men's and women's restrooms on a daily basis. Some places provide "unisex" or "family" restrooms, but the majority do not. If a transperson wants to go out and enjoy a concert, sporting event, or simply a day outside the home, he or she must make concessions that most people never have to think about.
13. Lesser-Known Types Of Transgenderism: Genderqueerism
People often find the notion of genderqueerism difficult to understand. They may hear that a genderqueer person is in between male and female, or is neither, but they may continue to ask, "OK, so what sex or gender does that make them, really?" This is where it is perhaps most difficult to live as a genderqueer person. The constant explanations that sometimes get nowhere can be frustrating and disheartening for genderqueer people.
14. Transgender By The Numbers
Unfortunately there is no major consensus on the number of transgender people in the United States or the world today. Hard-and-fast statistics are lacking for a couple of reasons. One is that many trans people are not out and are either living as trans behind closed doors or living stealthily, meaning that people do not know that they were born differently than they appear now. Another reason for the lack of statistics is that so many different varieties of transgenderism fall under the umbrella term that it is hard to discern which subcategories should actually be statistically counted as transgender and which should not.
15. Parting Words
In America we have seen that teenage suicide because of bullying has reached epidemic proportions. Many of these kids are LGBT, and most of them are taunted due to some component of their gender expression. I hope that you will talk to others about what you have learned about transgenderism. No one should have to suffer because of who he or she is, but we know that reality tells us differently. People have been bullied and persecuted for who they are since the dawn of time. But we are not defenseless. The more education that is out there about what is means to be different, the better.
Jenna Talackova
Age: 23 | Height: 6'1"<br>Hometown: Vancouver, BC <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Adwoa Yamoah
Age: 24 | Height: 5'9″<br>Hometown: Calgary, AB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Alena Konovalova
Age: 24 | Height: 5'7″<br>Hometown: Maple, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Ali Sarchuk
Age: 22 | Height: 5'10″<br>Hometown: Saskatoon, SK <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Alicia George
Age: 20 | Height: 5'10″<br>Hometown: Surrey, BC <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Amanda Kazmierczak
Age: 21 | Height: 5'6″<br>Hometown: Toronto, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Amanda-Lee Bordun
Age: 20 | Height: 5'9″<br>Hometown: Steinbach, MB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Amanda Morie
Age: 24 | Height: 5'6″<br>Hometown: Edmonton, AB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Anna Piatrovich
Age: 24 | Height: 5'10″<br>Hometown: Richmond Hill, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Brianne Kidner
Age: 19 | Height: 5'8″<br>Hometown: Edmonton, AB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Carla Bradstock
Age: 26 | Height: 5'10″<br>Hometown: Richmond, BC <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Casar Jacobson
Age: 26 | Height: 5'10″<br>Hometown: Vancouver, BC <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Casendre Paquet
Age: 22 | Height: 5'6″<br>Hometown: Saint-Laurent, QC <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Chelsea Bird
Age: 23 | Height: 5'8″<br>Hometown: Edmonton, AB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Chelsey Smith
Age: 23 | Height: 5'9″<br>Hometown: Edmonton, AB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Chelsi Mittelholzer
Age: 21 | Height: 5'10″<br>Hometown: Markham, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Christine Adela White
Age: 26 | Height: 5'11″<br>Hometown: Vancouver, BC <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Dajana Radovanovic
Age: 20 | Height: 5'9″<br>Hometown: Toronto, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Danielle Murphy
Age: 20 | Height: 6'0″<br>Hometown: Brockville, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Diana Schoutsen
Age: 24 | Height: 5'9″<br>Hometown: Binbrook, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Ela Mino
Age: 20 | Height: 5'8″<br>Hometown: Calgary, AB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Elana Wu
Age: 22 | Height: 5'8″<br>Hometown: Richmond, BC <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Ella Law
Age: 26 | Height: 5'5″<br>Hometown: Edmonton, AB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Haley Draper
Age: 22 | Height: 5'6″<br>Hometown: London, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Ines Kipre
Age: 23 | Height: 5'10″<br>Hometown: Gatineau, QC <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Isabella Romero
Age: 21 | Height: 5'6″<br>Hometown: Sherbrooke, QC <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Jasmine Pham
Age: 21 | Height: 5'9″<br>Hometown: Kapuskasing, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Jennifer Grudić
Age: 21 | Height: 5'6″<br>Hometown: Corner Brook, NL <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Jennifer Skroch
Age: 21 | Height: 5'7″<br>Hometown: Calgary, AB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Joyanna Mitchell
Age: 24 | Height: 5'7″<br>Hometown: Beaumont, AB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Katerina Kiprich
Age: 24 | Height: 5'6″<br>Hometown: Toronto, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Katie Starke
Age: 21 | Height: 5'11″<br>Hometown: Uxbridge, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Kesiah Papasin
Age: 21 | Height: 5'7″<br>Hometown: Etobicoke, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Kimealia Hercules
Age: 20 | Height: 5'9″<br>Hometown: Montreal, QC <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Kuyan Elliott
Age: 19 | Height: 5'9″<br>Hometown: LaSalle, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Kylee Jean Apers
Age: 24 | Height: 5'7″<br>Hometown: Armstrong, BC <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Kyra Weston
Age: 19 | Height: 5'5″<br>Hometown: Calgary, AB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Lisa Wong
Age: 22 | Height: 5'10″<br>Hometown: Toronto, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Majd Soudi
Age: 26 | Height: 5'6″<br>Hometown: Ottawa, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Mandi Gale
Age: 22 | Height: 5'4″<br>Hometown: Grand Falls-Windsor, NL <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Maria Cecilia Nicolas
Age: 26 | Height: 5'6″<br>Hometown: Thompson, MB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Maria Nahri
Age: 26 | Height: 5'8″<br>Hometown: Markham, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Mariangela Avila
Age:19 | Height: 4'10″<br>Hometown: Calgary, AB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Marta Jablonska
Age: 24 | Height: 5'10″<br>Hometown: Hamilton, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Mina Khtaria
Age: 21 | Height: 5'8″<br>Hometown: Surrey, BC <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Natka Brestovanska
Age: 23 | Height: 5'10″<br>Hometown: Orillia, ON <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Nazanin Gheitasian
Age: 23 | Height: 5'7″<br>Hometown: Vancouver, BC <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Raman Basi
Age: 23 | Height: 5'8″<br>Hometown: Calgary, AB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Sahar Biniaz
Age: 26 | Height: 5'8″<br>Hometown: Vancouver, BC <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Samantha Morris
Age: 21 | Height: 5'11″<br>Hometown: Calgary, AB <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
Sarah Harrison
Age: 24 | Height: 5'11″<br>Hometown: Halifax, NS <em>Credit: <a href="http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/contestants/2012-finals/" target="_hplink">Miss Universe Canada</a></em>
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The Huffington Post B.C. | By Zi-Ann Lum Posted: 10/13/2012 6:54 pm Updated: 10/14/2012 12:58 am