AMSTERDAM, July 13 (Reuters) - Rikkie Valerie Kolle, the first transgender woman to be crowed Miss Netherlands, once saw her success in the pageant as a symbol of her nation's openness. Kolle, 22, said she became a target of hate speech after winning the 94-year-old competition last week. If she wins she will be the first transgender woman to claim that title. [1/5]Rikkie Valerie Kolle, a transgender woman who was crowned Miss Netherlands, puts on her makeup in Voorthuizen, Netherlands July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw"I thought we were really accepting.... in the Netherlands, but the hate comments show the other side of our society.

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Persons: Valerie Kolle, Kolle, Piroschka van de, Anthony Deutsch, Emma Rumney Organizations: Miss, Miss Universe, REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: AMSTERDAM, Miss Netherlands, Voorthuizen, Netherlands