Julie fears death if forced to return to Grozny, and not only because of the war.
The 15th child of a Chechen elder, Julie is a transsexual - a man who is psychologically a woman - and must worry not only about Russian bombs but her Islamic homeland's traditional culture, which is not receptive to gays and transsexuals. Julie, who dresses as a woman and is unmistakably feminine in walk and manner, down to her long, manicured nails, is for now still legally Dmitry, a diagnosed transsexual, waiting for a sex-change operation.
The first ever beauty competition for transvestites has been held near Bangkok in Thailand.
Twenty-four cross-dressers and transsexuals who have had operations to change their appearance took part in the event.
It was as traditional as any female contest - they all paraded in evening wear and skimpy bikinis before going on to answer questions about their hopes and aspirations.
They came from 11 Asian countries as well as Germany and France.
"Sometimes it's hard to be a woman," crooned country singer Tammy Wynette, little suspecting how true her words would ring in distant Moscow.
For the 15 competitors in Friday's Alternative Miss Moscow competition in the Ptyuch club, femininity was the name of the game, and it was not achieved without suffering.
"High heels take some getting used to," lamented Liz Taylor, also known as Sergei, a tour agent in Moscow.
"But I've got the knack now," he said, proving the point with a high kick.
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The first ever beauty competition for transvestites has been held near Bangkok in Thailand. 
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