Rose of Tralee host Daithi O’Se has said that he is looking forward to greeting the first trans woman at the festival.
According to RTE, the rules for the festival have changed and it will now welcome participants who identify as female. Married applicants and those over the age of 29 can also take part.
O’Se, who also hosts RTE daytime show Today and has also being involved in other shows on the national broadcaster, said that he thinks the festival is “forward thinking” and the rules have changed over the years. He also said that he “can’t wait” to greet the first trans Rose.
Former winner of the title Maria Walsh, also welcomed the move. She is currently an MEP and a member of Fine Gael. The 2019 winner, Sinead Flanagan, said that she was “excited to welcome those changes”.
The CEO of the festival, Anthony O’Gara said that diversity and inclusion was necessary. He also said that “the generation that’s there now are much more aware and sensitive and intelligent about how they view life.”
“The notion that you can’t be involved with the Rose of Tralee because of who you are would be nuts,” he said.
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