Drag pageantry
Cross-dressing |
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History of cross-dressing |
Key elements |
Modern drag culture |
Sexual aspects |
Sexual attraction to cross-dressers |
Other aspects |
Passing as male |
Passing as female |
Organizations |
Books |
Drag pageantry is a highly developed form of pageantry for female impersonators and trans women, styled after traditional beauty pageants or beauty contests for cisgender women.
In more recent years, it has also evolved into a highly developed form of pageantry for male impersonators and transmen, modeled in the same style and spirit as female-centered pageantry (see above).
National Pageants in the United States
National drag pageants became enmeshed within the gay community during the 1970s, and have become increasingly prevalent since. The first drag pageants were held in individual gay bars, and discothèques during the post Stonewall era. Drag pageants evolved independently, in the decade subsequent to the first gay Mardi Gras coronations.
Miss Gay America
Mirroring the format of the Miss America contest, the first national gay pageant Miss Gay America (MGA) was held in 1972 at the Watch Your Hat & Coat Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville's first gay dance and show bar. Jerry Peek opened this bar in 1971, and it was an instant sensation, not only with gay patrons, but also with the straight crowd. Norma Kristie, state representative of Arkansas, was crowned as the winner of the 1973 Miss Gay America Pageant, and in 1975 Norman "Norma Kristie" Jones took ownership of the pageant from Jerry Peek, who founded the Miss Gay America Pageant. Norman Jones would form Norma Kristie, Inc. and operate the pageant and its network of preliminaries for the next 30 years.
Since its inception, MGA has prided itself as a showcase for pure female impersonation: Contestants must be men who live as men, achieving a convincing feminine illusion solely through their own ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness. Bodily feminization via female hormones, breast implants, and/or injectable fillers such as liquid silicone is strictly forbidden (plastic surgery and fillers above the neck are permitted, however). An interview in male attire is a key component of the pageant; contestants are judged not only for their poise and articulateness but for their overall masculine presentation—points may be deducted for feminine aspects such as overly plucked eyebrows or long fingernails.
In February 2005, the Miss Gay America pageantry system was purchased by Larry Tyger and Terry Eason of L & T Entertainment. Currently, contestants are judged in 5 categories: Male Interview, Solo Talent, Evening Gown, Stage Question & Answer, and Production Talent.
On February 4, 2016 Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman of Mad Angel Entertainment purchased the Miss Gay America pageant From L & T Entertainment.[1]
Former titleholders
YEAR | TITLEHOLDER | GIVEN NAME | FIRST ALTERNATE | CROWNING VENUE | NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1973 | Norma Kristie, Miss Gay Arkansas America | Norman Jones | Charlie Brown | Watch Your Hat & Coat Saloon, Nashville, Tennessee | Retired From Regular Performances |
1974 | Lady Baronessa, Miss Gay Illinois America | Carmel Santiago | Roski Fernandez | The Glass Menagery Nightclub, Nashville, Tennessee | Deceased, 1992 - *1 |
1975 | Shawn Luis, | Roski Fernandez | Atlanta Americana Hotel Ballroom, Atlanta, Georgia | Retired; underwent gender reassignment following her reign | |
1976A | Shan Covington, | Michael Andrews | The Depository Nightclub, Houston, Texas | Decrowned, Deceased - *2 | |
1976B | Dani Daletto, Miss Gay Michigan America | Jose Mondelano | Vapors Nightclub, Hot Springs, Arkansas | Deceased, 1989 | |
1977 | Michael Andrews, | Michael Androlewicz | Naomi Simms | The Old Plantation Nightclub, Houston, Texas | Deceased, 1989 |
1978 | Jimi Dee, Miss Gay South Regional America | Hot Chocolate, Miss Gay Texas America | Machinist's Hall, St. Louis, Missouri | Deceased | |
1979 | Rachel Wells, Miss Gay South Regional America, First Alternate | John Greenwell | Hot Chocolate | Fox Theater, Dallas, Texas | Retired, 2006 [2] |
1980 | Hot Chocolate, Miss Gay East Coast America | Larry Edwards | Lady Shawn, Miss Gay Texas America | Atlanta Convention Center, Atlanta, Georgia | Las Vegas Headliner |
1981 | Lady Shawn, Miss Gay East Coast America | Shawn
Marshall |
Genevieve Ryder, Miss Gay Missouri America | Masonic Temple, Detroit, Michigan | Deceased |
1982 | Jennifer Foxx, Miss Gay North Regional America | Bobby Bruno | Francesca Wakeland, | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas | - |
1983 | Francesca Wakeland, | Jon Meadows | Tasha Kohl, Miss Gay Texas | Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, North Carolina | Retired |
1984 | Tasha Kohl, Miss Gay Mid-America | Jerry Faulkner | Naomi Sims, Miss Gay South Regional America | Oklahoma City Convention Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Retired From Regular Performances |
1985 | Naomi Sims, Miss Gay Tri-States America | Newman S. Braud | Fritz Capone | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, TX | Deceased, 1992 |
1986 | Lauren Colby, Miss Gay North Carolina America, First Alternate | Diana Black, Miss Gay Great Lakes America | Indianapolis Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana | - | |
1987 | Blaze Starr, Miss Gay Tri-States America | ? | Cherry Lane | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas | Retired |
1988 | Cherry Lane, Miss Gay Tri-States America | Michael Smothers | Rachel Masters | Fox Theater-Atlanta, Georgia | Retired |
1989 | Vicki Vincent, Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic States America | Roger Piatt | Brandi Alexander, Miss Gay North Regional America | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas | - |
1990 | Brandi Alexander | Randy Fenoli | Valerie Lohr, Miss Gay Texas America | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas | Retired |
1991 | Valerie Lohr, Miss Gay South Regional America, First Alternate | Gary Lytle | Coco, Miss Gay Texas America | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas | - |
1992 | Tiffany Bonet, Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic States America | Acie
Hendricks |
Leslie Rage | Majestic Theater, Dallas, Texas | - |
1993 | Leslie Rage, Miss Gay Mid-East America | Coco | Majestic Theater, Dallas, Texas | Deceased | |
1994 | Jacqueline DeVaroe, Miss Gay Delta States America, First Alternate | Darius Cordell | Ramona LeGer' | Majestic Theater, Dallas, Texas | Retired |
1995-A | Ramona LeGer', Miss Gay Mid-East America | Patti Le Plae Safe, Miss Gay Gulf States America | Majestic Theater, Dallas, Texas | Deceased, 1995 - *3 | |
1995-B | Patti Le Plae Safe, Miss Gay Gulf States America | Rodd Grey | Nicole Dubois, Miss Gay Southern Elegance | Robinson Center Music Auditorium, Little Rock, Arkansas (During the 1996 Pageant) | - |
1996 | Kerri Nichols, Miss Gay Mid-America | Jeff
Capell |
Lauren Taylor | Robinson Center Music Auditorium, Little Rock, Arkansas | - |
1997 | Lauren Taylor, Miss Gay Texas America | Darrell Cantu | Laken Edwards | Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, North Carolina | Retired |
1998 | Maya Montana, Miss Gay Virginia America | Linda Carrero | Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, North Carolina | - | |
1999 | Linda Carrero, Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic America | Omar Reyes | Kirby Colby, Miss Gay West Virginia America | Athena Theater, Little Rock, Arkansas | - |
2000 | Catia Lee Love, Miss Gay Mid-America America | Aron Harvey | Charity Case, Miss Gay Southern Elegance America | Lincoln Theater, Washington D.C. | - |
2001 | Charity Case, Miss Gay Central States America | Mark Coleman | Sabrina White | Athena Theater, Little Rock, Arkansas | - |
2002 | Sabrina White, Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic America | Russell Marcum | Kitty Bob Aimes, Miss Gay Oklahoma America | Dallas Convention Center-Dallas, Texas | - |
2003 | Dominique Sanchez, Miss Gay Mid-America | Chris Williams | Jayda Alexander, Miss Gay Louisiana America, First Alternate | Athena Theater-Little Rock, Arkansas | - |
2004 | Rachael Erikks, Miss Gay Heart of America | Alana Steele, Miss Gay Indiana America, First Alternate | Athena Theater, Little Rock, Arkansas | - | |
2005 | Raquel Chevallier, Miss Gay Tri-States America | Alina Meletti, Miss Gay Florida, First Alternate | Athena Theater, Little Rock, Arkansas | - | |
2006 | Nicole DuBois, Miss Gay Mid-America | Tommy Davis | Coti Collins, Miss Gay East Coast America | Cannon Center, Memphis, Tennessee | - |
2007 | Luscious, Miss Gay Western States America | Coti Collins, Miss Gay North Carolina America | Cannon Center, Memphis, Tennessee | - | |
2008 | Mikaila Kay, Miss Gay Western States America, First Alternate | Josh Bolin | Layla Larue, Miss Gay Southern Elegance America, First Alternate | Holiday Inn Select Airport Grand Ballroom-Memphis, Tennessee | - |
2009 | Victoria DePaula, Miss Gay District of Columbia (D.C.) America | Carl Glorioso | Chantel Reshae, Miss Gay East Coast America | Millennium Hotel Grand Ballroom-St. Louis, Missouri | - |
2010-A | Alyssa Edwards, Miss Gay Heartland America, First Alternate[3] | Justin Johnson | Coco Montrese, Miss Gay Heart of America | Millennium Hotel Ballroom, St. Louis, Missouri | Decrowned - *4 |
2010-B | Coco Montrese, Miss Gay Heart of America | Martin Cooper | Jessica Jade, Miss Gay District of Columbia (D.C.) America | The Grey Fox Nightclub, St. Louis, Missouri | - |
2011 | Coti Collins, Miss Gay District of Columbia (D.C.) America | David Lowman | Jessica Jade, Miss Gay Mid-East America | Lifestyles Pavilion Auditorium, Columbus, Ohio | *5 |
2012 | Kirby Kolby, Miss Gay District of Columbia (D.C.) America | Mark Smith | Jessica Jade, Miss Gay Atlantic States | The Capitol Theatre at the Riffe Center, Columbus, Ohio | - |
2013 | Sally Sparkles, Miss Gay Mid-America | Michael Sharp | Blair Williams, Miss Gay Mid-America, First Alternate | The Sheraton Hotel Ball Room, Columbus, Ohio | - |
2014 | Jessica Jade, Miss Gay East Coast America | Billy Wilson | Blair Williams, Miss Gay D.C. America | The Millennium Hotel Grand Ball Room St. Louis, MO | - |
2015 | Blair Williams, Miss Gay Southern States America | Todd Mauldin | Truly Fabu, Miss Gay Eastern States 1st. Alt | The Millennium Maxwell House Ball Room Nashville, TN | - |
2016 | Asia O'Hara, Miss Gay Texas | Real Name | Kelly Ray, Miss Gay Southeast | Holiday Inn Express Memphis Airport, Memphis, TN | - |
- *1 Lady Baronessa's full name was "The Lady Baroness Maria Andrea del Santiago."
- *2 Shan Covington had his title revoked for conduct unbecoming a Miss Gay America titleholder. The title was offered to the 1976 First Alternate, Michael Andrews, who passed it up because he wanted to win the title. The title was then passed to the 1976 Second Alternate, Dani Daletto. Dani Daletto was crowned in a special ceremony at the 1976 Miss Gay South Pageant held at Vapors Nightclub in Hot Springs, AR.
- *3 Ramona LeGer' died 5 months into his reign. 1995 First Alternate, Patti Le Plae Safe, requested not to be crowned or wear the crown during the pageant year in Romona's memory. Patti La Plae Safe served as the official Miss Gay America Representative, until the night of the 1996 Miss Gay America Pageant, at which he was finally crowned the official 1995 Miss Gay America in a special ceremony.
- *4 Alyssa had his title revoked due to scheduling conflicts with previous engagements and his Miss Gay America duties. The title was passed to the 2010 First Alternate, Coco Montrese, who was crowned in a special ceremony at The Grey Fox Nightclub in St. Louis, MO.
- *5 Coti Collins is the longest competing Miss Gay America winner. His first appearance at Miss Gay America was in 1988 as the First Alternate from the Miss Gay West Virginia America franchise.
Miss Continental U.S.A.
As Miss Gay America grew in popularity and prestige, many professional female impersonators who lived full-time as women found they were unable to compete in the pageant due to its longstanding rule barring transgender contestants. Aside from the prestige of holding a national title, MGA afforded its winner guaranteed show bookings at every state preliminary held during the title year; thus, the MGA crown turned what was often local, part-time work into a full-time job. Because many trans women also use drag shows as a source of income, it was only natural that a pageantry system would evolve to meet their needs.
In 1980, Chicago nightclub promoter Jim Flint, owner of the Baton Show Lounge, filled this void with the creation of the Miss Continental U.S.A. Pageant. Contestants were scored in interview, swim wear, talent, and evening gown; for the finalists, an on stage question. A number of notable winners either were "boy queens" at the time that they won or have never pursued gender transition—including Chilli Pepper, the first Miss Continental, Michelle Dupree, Miss Continental 1998, Naysha Lopez, Miss Continental, 2013 and Brooke Lynn Hytes, Miss Continental 2014–15—but over time the Continental Pageantry System became renowned for its "titty girls," or pre-/non-operative transsexual contestants. Today, Miss Continental has preliminaries representing various U.S. states as well as Canada and Europe.
List of Former Miss Continental Titleholders:
(All winners were crowned in Chicago, IL)
YEAR | TITLEHOLDER | FIRST ALTERNATE | SECOND ALTERNATE | THIRD ALTERNATE | FOURTH ALTERNATE | FIFTH ALTERNATE | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1980 | Chilli Pepper | Andrea Necole | Dina Jacobs | ? | ? | N/A | |
1981 | Heather Fontaine | Tiffany Arieagus | Amber Richards | Dana Douglas | Chena Black | N/A | |
1982 | Tiffany Arieagus | Chena Black | Dina Jacobs | Andrea Necole | Cherine Alexander | N/A | |
1983 | Chena Black | Cherine Alexander | ? | ? | ? | N/A | |
1984 | Cherine Alexander | Dina Jacobs | Dawn Dupree | Candi Stratton | Kelly Lauren | N/A | Deceased |
1985 | Maya Douglas | Candi Stratton | Alana Kela | Shanté (Alexandra Billings) | Tissy Malone | N/A | |
1986 | Tandi Andrews | Dana Douglas | Ginger Grant | Shanté | Alana Kela | N/A | Deceased |
1987 | Dana Douglas | ? | ? | ? | ? | N/A | |
1988 | Kelly Lauren | Shanté | Whitney Carlysle | Nikki Adams | Amber Richards | N/A | |
1989 | Lakesha Lucky | Christina D’Angelo | Chanel Dupree | Ginger Valdez | Amber Richards | N/A | |
1990 | Chanel Dupree | Lauren Michaels | Monica Munro | Mimi Marks | Bobbie Blake | N/A | |
1991 | Amber Richards | Chena Kelly | Monica Munro | Brandy Lee | Kerrin Alexander | N/A | Deceased |
1992 | Mimi Marks | Cézanne Blincoe | Christina Piaget | Sasha Valentino | Tasha Long | N/A | |
1993 | Monica Munro | Kelly Anderson | Michelle Mitchells | Natasha Mills | Tasha Long | Obsession | |
1994 | Cézanne Blincoe | Paris Frantz | Natasha Richards | Angela Carrera | Sherri Payne | Danielle Hunter | |
1995 | The Lady Catiria Reyes | Natasha Richards | Paris Frantz | Sasha Valentino | Jasmine Bonét | N/A | Deceased |
1996 | Paris Frantz | Tasha Long | Basia | Danielle Hunter | Tommie Ross | N/A | |
1997 | Tasha Long | Ashley Kruiz | Danielle Hunter | Amy DeMilo | Damianne Dee-Vine (Allanah Starr) | N/A | |
1998 | Michelle Dupree | Silkie Munro | Sasha Valentino | Erica Andrews | Armani | N/A | |
1999 | Tommie Ross | Erika Norell | Michelle Mitchells | Kourtney Paige Van Wales | Sasha Valentino | N/A | |
2000 | Danielle Hunter | Erika Norell | Candis Cayne | Amalia Black | Tina Sparkles | N/A | |
2001 | Candis Cayne | Yoshiko Oshiro | Raquell Lord | Sasha Valentino | Amalia Black | Erica Andrews | |
2002 | Yoshiko Oshiro | Barbra Herr | Armani Stevens | Raquell Lord | Stasha Sanchez | N/A | |
2003 | Erika Norell | Fontasia L’Amour | Stasha Sanchez | Lorna Vando | Regine Phillips | N/A | |
2004 | Erica Andrews | Sasha Valentino | Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington | Barbra Herr | Regine Phillips | N/A | Deceased |
2005 | Domanique Shappelle | Sasha Valentino | Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington | Jasmine Bonet | Sasha Colby | N/A | |
2006 | Victoria LePaige | Necole Luv Dupree | Regine Phillips | Mokha Montrese | Jasmine International | N/A | |
2007 | Necole Luv Dupree | Armani Stevens | Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington | Lorna Vando | Jasmine International | N/A | |
2008 | Tulsi Balram | Sasha Colby | Mokha Montrese | Shantell DeMarco | Melania Cortez | N/A | |
2009 | Armani Stevens | Mokha Montrese | Naysha Lopez | Kim Moore | Aurora Sexton | N/A | |
2010 | Mokha Montrese | Sassy Devine | Fontasia L’Amour | Angel Cavali | Melina Varela | N/A | |
2011 | Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington | Fontasia L’Amour | Tiffany T. Hunter | Stasha Sanchez | Jennifer St. Cartier | N/A | |
2012 | Sasha Colby | Fontasia L’Amour | Kourtney Paige Van Wales | Stasha Sanchez | Queen Bee Ho | Tiffany T. Hunter | |
2013 | Naysha Lopez | Brooke Lynn Hytes | Stasha Sanchez | Aurora Sexton | Tiffany T. Hunter | Shantell DeMarco | |
2014 | Brooke Lynn Hytes | Joan Jullian Stratton | Queen Bee Ho | Aria B. Cassadine | Regine Phillips | N/A | |
2015 | Tiffany T. Hunter | Kourtney Paige Van Wales | Fontasia L'Amour | Serenity Lopez | Renaita Ferrara | N/A |
Miss Continental Plus Winners
- 1991 - Ginger Grant
- 1992 - Denise Russell
- 1993 - The Lady Catiria Reyes (Deceased)
- 1994 - Erica Christian
- 1995 - Carmella Marcella Garcia
- 1996 - Victoria LePaige
- 1997 - Dena Cass
- 1998 - Santana T. Summers (Deceased)
- 1999 - Terri Williams
- 2000 - Tumara Mahorning
- 2001 - Angel Sherdian
- 2002 - Chevelle Brooks
- 2003 - Victoria Parker
- 2004 - Angelica Sanchez
- 2005 - Amaya
- 2006 - Desiree Demornay
- 2007 - Tajma Hall (Deceased)
- 2008 - Mercedes Tyler
- 2009 - CoCo Van Cartier
- 2010 - Roxxxy Andrews
- 2011 - Chelsea Pearl
- 2012 - Tanisha Cassadine
- 2013 - Whitney Paige (Deceased)
- 2013 - Farra N. Hyte (Succeeded)
- 2014 - Tahjee Iman
- 2015 - Kofi
Miss Continental Elite Winners
- 2004 - Nikki Adams
- 2005 - Barbra Herr
- 2006 - Maya Douglas
- 2007 - Danielle Hunter
- 2008 - Angel Sheridan
- 2009 - Michelle Fighter
- 2010 - Electra
- 2011 - Daesha Richards
- 2012 - Dana Douglas
- 2013 - Kourtney Van Wales
- 2014 - Lady Charisse Estrada
- 2015 - Chantel Reshae
Mr. Continental Winners
- 2004 - Carl Harris (Dethroned)
- 2004 - Ray Matthews
- 2005 - Antonio Edwards
- 2006 - Tony Desario
- 2007 - Simba Hall
- 2008 - Rasean Montrese
- 2009 - David "Freklz" Hunter
- 2010 - Christopher Iman
- 2011 - Nick Gray
- 2012 - Phillip Alexander
- 2013 - Angel Amador
- 2014 - Kalil Valentino
- 2015 - Joey Taylor
- 2016 - Mykul Jay Valentine
National Entertainer of the Year
This contest was created by George Stinson and Ed Lewis, owners of the successful Connection Complex in Louisville, Kentucky. They drew their inspiration from Female Impersonator of the Year, a one-time pageant event held in Houston in 1985, hosted by Ruth Buzzi and Lyle Waggoner, and released as a cable-TV special and home video. The winner of that contest, the late Naomi Sims (Newman Braud), is honored as EOY Emeritus.[4]
YEAR | TITLEHOLDER | FIRST ALTERNATE | SECOND ALTERNATE | NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
Emeritus(held 1985) | Naomi Sims | Michael Andrews | Tasha Kohl | Deceased |
1991 | Tasha Kohl | Charity Case | Leslie Rage | |
1992 | Amazing Grace | Charity Case | Ashley Kruiz | Deceased |
1993 | Shayla Simpson | Tandi Andrews | Terri Vanessa Coleman | Deceased |
1994 | Electra | Sweet Savage | Danielle Hunter | |
1995 | Coco | Ashley Kruiz | Natasha Richards | Deceased |
1996 | Monica Munro | Bianca Paige | Stephanie Wells | |
1997 | Maya Douglas | Ashley Kruiz | Angel Sheridan | |
1998 | Daisy DeadPetals | Necole Luv Dupree | Angel Sheridan | |
1999 | Stephanie Bofill | Whitney Paige | Roxie Hart | Deceased |
2000 | Roxie Hart | Raven | Versage | |
2001 | Raven | Ashley Kruiz | Necole Luv Dupree | |
2002 | Necole Luv Dupree | Victoria Parker | Tamisha Iman | |
2003 | Nina DiAngelo | Whitney Paige | Tamisha Iman | |
2004 | Tasha Long | Camille Simpson | Jordan Kennedy | |
2005 | Angelique Ali | Catia Lee Love | DeeRanged | |
2006 | Erica Andrews | DeeRanged | Mokha Montrese | Deceased |
2007 | DeeRanged | Armani | Kitty Litter | |
2008 | Nina West | Armani | Domanique Shappelle | |
2009 | Bianca Nicole | Vanessa DeMornay | Deangela Shannon | |
2010 | Vanessa DeMornay | Shangela Laquifa Wadley | Erika Norell | |
2011 | Aurora Sexton | Trinity Taylor | Kristina Kelly | |
2012 | Mokha Montrese | Raquell Lord | Shae Shae LaReese | |
2013 | Raquell Lord | Brooke Lynn Hytes | Alana Steele | |
2014 | Trinity Taylor | Alyssa Edwards | Eureka O'Hara | |
2015 | Sunny Dee-Lite | Delores T. Van Cartier | Shontelle Sparkles |
Mr. Entertainer of the Year
- 2002 - Carl Harris
- 2003 - D'Andre
- 2004 - Romeo Avila
- 2005 - Rasean Montrese
- 2006 - William Benion
- 2007 - Monte St. James
- 2008 - Savion Simpson (Deceased)
- 2009 - Xavier Valentino Litter
- 2010 - Alex Stabler
- 2011 - Mykul Jay Valentine
- 2012 - Xavier Cole
- 2013 - David "Freklz" Hunter
- 2014 - Matthew Jay Kelly
- 2015 - Judas Elliot
King Entertainer of the Year
In 2011, after years of pushing from EOY promoters and a final agreement from major sponsor Anheuser Busch, National EOY introduced an MI division. On a preliminary level, the first MI crowned into the EOY system was Joey Paige, who captured the title of Kentucky EOY King at the preliminary pageant in Louisville on July 3, 2011. This was the only EOY MI prelim contest held that year. Michigan EOY also sent a representative to Nationals that year, Spacee Kadett, though Spacee was appointed the title in the state. The remaining contestants for the first EOY King contest entered as open competitors, and such open entry into EOY King competition continues to this day.
In July 2011, after national competition, EOY crowned Spacee Kadett as the first national king in its system. Spacee's victory and reign of outrageous drag helped push drag kinging to a more daring and theatrical level across the US, and set a standard for kings in the EOY system.
YEAR | TITLEHOLDER | FIRST ALTERNATE | NOTES |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Spacee Kadett | Richard Cranium | |
2012 | Mystikal | Spikey Van Dykey | |
2013 | Owen McCord | Michael Christian | |
2014 | Chase McGroin | Gunner Daimon Gatlyn | |
2015 | Chaos | Bruno Diaz |
Femme Entertainer of the Year
In 2015, EOY promoters and owners expanded the contest to include the Femme counterparts with the first National Pageant held at the Connection Complex theatre. |-
YEAR | TITLEHOLDER | FIRST ALTERNATE | SECOND ALTERNATE | NOTES |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Tymisha Harris | Nova Loza | Taylor Rene |
Miss Gay USofA
Houston, Texas based MGA promoter Jerry Bird purchased the bankrupt Miss Gay USA pageant from former MGA Jimi Dee in 1985.[7] Within a few years he took the pageant from a small twelve contestant affair to a national showcase with over eighty participants. In 1986, the first Miss Gay USA Naomi Sims crowned Michael Andrews. In the mid-1990s the pageant was renamed Miss Gay USofA after complaints and legal threats from the owner of Miss USA, Donald Trump, who placed a cease and desist order until verbiage could be agreed upon that allowed for both competitions to continue without confusion or discrimination.
There have been a wide range of contestants in the Miss USofA System, and it is interesting to note that many USofA titleholders also count the Miss Gay America crown as accomplishments in female impersonation. These include:
Naomi Sims, Miss Gay USA 1979 (Miss Gay America 1985); Michael Andrews, Miss Gay USA 1986 (Miss Gay America 1977); Jacquelyn DeVaroe, Miss Gay USofA 1997 (Miss Gay America 1994); Lauren Taylor, Miss Gay USofA 1998 (Miss Gay America 1997); Alyssa Edwards, Miss Gay USofA 2006 (Miss Gay America 2010, though Edwards was stripped of the title a few short months after winning the crown); Dominique Sanchez, Miss Gay USofA 2010 (Miss Gay America 2003); and, Luscious, Miss Gay USofA 2011 (Miss Gay America 2007).
List of Miss Gay USA, Miss Gay USofA, Miss Gay USofA Classic, Miss Gay USofA At-Large, Miss Gay USofA Newcomer, Mr. Gay USofA, Mr. Gay USofA At-Large, Mister USofA MI, Mister USofA MI Classic and Miss DIVA USofA Titleholders
The following is the list of the winners of the Miss Gay U.S.A. Pageant — then a complete change of ownership — Miss Gay USA winners 1986 through 1994 and Miss Gay USofA winners from 1995 through present:
Miss Gay USofA:
Miss Gay USofA At Large:
Miss Gay USofA Classic:
Miss Gay USofA Newcomer:
Mr. Gay USofA:
Mr. Gay USofA At-Large:
Mister USofA MI:
Mister USofA MI Classic:
Miss DIVA USofA: (femme)
During the 1990s, the range and variety of drag pageantry continued to expand; however the "big four" pageant systems of MGA, Continental, USofA and EOY still dominated the market. New competitions with new requirements brought a wider variety of performers to drag pageantry. Contests for plus-sized, mature and African American female impersonators became popular. All American GoddessThis pageant system was created by Scott Gonyaw. Unlike the "Big Four" of drag pageantry, AAG welcomes postoperative trans women as contestants.
All American Goddess at Large
All American Gent
The Female Impersonators’ Miss Florida Pageant (Miss Florida FI)First held in 1972, a few months after the first Miss Gay America contest, this pageant was revived in 2014 after seven years of inactivity. Though technically a state pageant, Miss Florida FI held prestige comparable to that of a national pageant for many years, with entertainers from around the U.S. vying for the crown, and guests and judges who included international celebrities. Before Miss Continental and Miss Gay USA (now Miss Gay USofA) were created, Miss Florida was the only major female-impersonation pageant that permitted trans women to compete. (Jim Flint, owner and founder of the Continental Pageantry System, has acknowledged Miss Florida as his inspiration for creating Miss Continental.)
Miss Florida FI at Large
Note: In 1989, ownership of the pageant fell into dispute after its creator-owner, Keith Landon, died. An alternative pageant called Miss Florida State was held that year; Shanté (Alexandra Billings) was crowned the winner but is not officially recognized as a former Miss Florida FI. In 1992, ownership of the pageant again fell into dispute after the death of its second owner, René Rodriguez. This time, two competing pageants were held: Miss Florida FI, won by Stephanie Shippae ́, and National Miss Florida, won by Monica Munro. Monica is also unrecognized as an official former, but she walked in the Parade of Miss Floridas that opened the 2001 pageant at the invitation of the owners. Miss NationalThis pageant was a huge part of the National pageant system in the 1990s and early 2000s, was one of the "BIG 5" and was thought to be revived in the Fall of 2015 in Orlando,FL. It was first created by Kevin Scott in 1994 and is now under the new ownership of Josh Maywalt. The first "winner" was Tandi Andrews, but she was later dethroned due to scheduling conflicts. Tommie Ross assumed the crown. Tandi will always be a Miss National. In 2009 2 people from Alabama tried to purchase the contest and appointed Mokha Montrese as Miss National 2009. That sale fell through and was never completed. Mokha did attend the only prelim in 2015 as the reigning Miss National. This contest had plans to return November 2015 in Orlando, FL. However, new owner Josh Maywalt has decided to once again postpone the pageant.
Miss National at Large
Mr. National
Universal ShowQueenSince 1984, Universal ShowQueen has been held annually in Honolulu, Hawaii. Similar to Miss Florida FI, USQ is a "local national" pageant that attracts contestants from not only Hawaii but also the mainland U.S. It is renowned for its signature category—Showgirl Costume—a showcase for lavish and elaborate Las Vegas–style costumes and headdresses.
Miss Gay International(Formerly Miss Amateur National) This pageant founded for newer queens transformed into what is now Miss International Inc. Promoter Christine Mancini who is currently a prostitute out of Texas. The system split in 2009 into International Inc. and Miss Gay International
Miss International Plus
Master Male IllusionistA lifetime, international career title for Drag Kings/Male Illusionists
See also
References
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