Organisers of The Rose of Tralee beauty pageant have confirmed that trans women are not currently barred from participating.

The process to find the finalists for the pageant next August is already underway, with potential Roses across the world signing up to be considered, however a spokesperson for the Rose of Tralee told The Irish Mirror that trans women will not be considered.

“The Festival is a progressive organisation that always strives to reflect changes in society in the entry guidelines for women,” the spokesperson said.

“Transgender women entering is not something we are considering at the moment, however, we will continue to review our guidelines.”

The comments come following a tweet last week from 2016 Sydney Rose, Brianna Parkins calling on a diverse range of women to get involved in the competition.

I need to hand over the tiara and sash soon. Calling all boss ladies to apply for the Sydney Rose 2017 https://t.co/6SPHknodpK

— Brianna Parkins (@parkinsbrea) January 27, 2017

Actually calling all feminists/mixed race/queer/trans ladies to apply for the Rose wherever you live https://t.co/6SPHknodpK

— Brianna Parkins (@parkinsbrea) January 27, 2017

Ireland’s trans organisation TENI have voiced disappointment at the news, saying it’s a missed opportunity for the Rose of Tralee Organisers.

“It’s a shame the Rose of Tralee isn’t keeping in line with how the country is going,” TENI spokesperson Gordon Grehan said.

“It has changed to an extent in that it’s shaking off the ‘lovely girls competition’ image and is celebrating women and what they’re doing, it’s empowering and positive.

“It’s a shame they think trans women might not be great examples of Irish womanhood. It’s a missed opportunity and unnecessarily exclusionary.”

On hearing the news, Brianna Parkins tweeted that she’s hopeful the trans ban might be reconsidered, adding in another tweet that it was out lesbian Rose, Maria Walsh who inspired her to enter the competition.

https://twitter.com/parkinsbrea/status/827139377721597955

When the fab @MariaWalshbiz became the Rose it gave me the guts to put my hand up and enter.I hope diversity continues to encourage others

— Brianna Parkins (@parkinsbrea) February 2, 2017

UPDATE 02.02.17: The Rose of Tralee organisation wrote on Twitter that the competition “does not ban transgender women” and that “transgender women are welcome to apply.”

#RoseofTralee does not ban transgender women
On @RadioRayRTE Festival Exec Chair confirmed transgender women are welcome to apply

— Rose of Tralee (@RoseofTralee_) February 2, 2017