A forklift truck driver and mum of two from Bristol who achieved her dream of becoming the first openly lesbian Ms Great Britain is now setting her sights on the Miss World International tiara. Emma-Jay Webber, who was victorious in the 31-44 age category of the Miss Great Britain National Final in October, has spoken to Bristol Live about the pride and pressure of representing her country and the LGBTQ+ community at the global competition, which will be held in Miami this August.
Emma has been competing in pageants since 2016 after her marriage broke down and her self-esteem sank. She has been picking up plaudits and breaking down preconceptions ever since, but despite being a pro on the pageant circuit, the significance of her involvement in the Florida final is not lost on her.
She said: “I feel like I have a greater responsibility than I have done in previous competitions. To win Miss Great Britain was amazing. But to go to the world stage, to a place world where last year passed the ‘don't say, gay bill’ and to be competing, to be openly gay, it's a little bit daunting.
