After raising a controversial issue that prompted a change in rules, transgender beauty queen Jenna Talackova competed in the 2012 Miss Universe pageant Thursday in Toronto, Canada donning a white gown and a white bikini.

Talackova, the 23-year-old contestant who was born male, joined the stage at the Bluma Appel Theater in Toronto with 62 other contestants to compete for the title of Miss Canada in the swimwear and evening gown contests. The winner will be crowned on Saturday after the results from 15 judges including Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan of HGTV's Home Heist, The Kennedys actress Kristin Booth and singer Kreesha Turner are tallied.

Back in March, Talackova was disqualified from the Miss Universe Canada pageant after judges claimed she lied about her gender on her application, saying she was not a naturally-born female. Talackova underwent gender reassignment surgery four years prior, changing from male to female.

However, she was eventually invited back to compete after word of the disqualification reached international news and a petition signed by over 20,000 people surfaced and through the help of her lawyer, Gloria Allred. Since there were no apparent rules about women who have underwent sex change operations, Donald Trump, who owns the Miss Universe organization, reinstated Talackova. The organization said Talackova met the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and the standards established by other international competitions.

View the slideshow to see photos of Jenna Talackova.

Arsen Wenger is steamed by UEFA
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is still upset about treatment from UEFA. Reuters
Transgendered Jenna Talackova Competes in 2012 Miss Universe Canada Pageant
Transgendered contestant Jenna Talackova takes part in Miss Universe Canada competition wearing her evening gown in Toronto May 17, 2012. Talackova was originally disqualified from the Miss Universe Canada contest because she was not a "naturally born female". Talackova 23, who underwent gender reassignment surgery when she was 19, was then reinstated to the Canadian competition last by businessman Donald Trump, who owns the Miss Universe organization. Reuters
Zienib Noori, 20, of Albany, NY listens to a speaker at the quotToday, I Am A Muslim, Tooquot rally in New York City
Zienib Noori, 20, of Albany, NY listens to a speaker at the "Today, I Am A Muslim, Too" rally in New York City Reuters
Whitney, founder of Meredith Whitney Advisory Group LLC, speaks at the 2009 Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California
Whitney, founder of Meredith Whitney Advisory Group LLC, speaks at the 2009 Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California Reuters
According to various media reports, French President Nicholas Sarkozy will to European Union EU leaders that they coordinate targeted air strikes on Moammar Gaddafis command headquarters in Libya to prevent his forces from carrying out more destruction
According to various media reports, French President Nicholas Sarkozy will to European Union (EU) leaders that they coordinate targeted air strikes on Moammar Gaddafi’s command headquarters in Libya to prevent his forces from carrying out more destruction against rebel forces. Reuters
Lawyer Donald trump Donald trump Canada