D.C. nttant crowned Miss Gay Ameri Arkansas as state's drag legislatn advanc

Ameri, reacts after beg crowned this year’s Miss Gay Ameri on Friday at the Robson Center Performance Hall Ltle Rock. " Chloe Knox, named to the top 10 at the Miss Gay Ameri Pageant, performs her talent on Friday at the Robson Center Performance Hall Ltle Rock. — When Deidre Downs was crowned Miss Ameri more than a ago, the ia of legalized gay marriage and Miss Ameri later marryg her same-sex partner Alabama would have been an unimagable have Miss Alabama 2004 and Miss Ameri 2005 Deidre Downs Gunn married her girliend, attorney Abbott Jon, a ceremony Saturday at the Birmgham Mm of Art.

”Some observers saw as a breakthrough, a potentially game-changg moment the fight for gay and lbian rights Ameri and one of the most nservative stat the natn.

Samford was found by the Alabama Baptist Conventn, and Southern Baptists the state and natnally rema on the rerd as stnchly opposed to gay marriage. “I thk has a huge impact bee Samford is so proud of her, ” said Br Blalock, founr of SAFE Samford, a gay and lbian alumni group which has lobbied for fair treatment and reprentatn at the school. Deidre Downs — who is the first openly gay Miss Ameri and a fertily specialist — ma a bold proclamatn to her now-wife, Abbott Jon.

THE MEANG OF MISS GAY AMERI IN THE AGE OF "RUPL'S DRAG RACE"DRAG PAGEANTS WERE ONCE THE STATE OF THE ART, BUT NOW THE OLD-SCHOOL SYSTEM MT MORNIZE TO STAY RELEVANT. ONE NTT IS TAKG THE CHALLENGE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY MIKE MIKSCHEOCTOBER 4, 2017/5:43 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}KRISTOFER REYNOLDSBY MIKE MIKSCHEOCTOBER 4, 2017 / 5:43 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THE MEANG OF MISS GAY AMERI IN THE AGE OF \"RUPL'S DRAG RACE\"","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2017-10-04T21:43:05.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2017-10-04T21:43:05.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MIKE MIKSCHE","KEYWORDS":"TRAVEL","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2016, WHILE RUPL’S DRAG RACE WAS TURNG DRAG TO POPULAR ENTERTAMENT FOR EVERYDAY AMERINS, WHILE ENURAGG QUEENS TO EXPRS THEMSELV ARTISTILLY, ANOTHER DRAG STUTN, MISS GAY AMERI, WAS STGGLG TO KEEP S CULTURAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE RUPL WAS ENURAGG HIS QUEENS’ “CHARISMA, UNIQUENS, NERVE, AND TALENT,” THE MGA NTTANTS WERE BEG TOLD TO LOR SI THE PROVERBIAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MISS GAY AMERI IS THE OLST AND LARGT DRAG PAGEANT SYSTEM, WH STATE AND REGNAL PRELIMARY PETNS HELD ACROSS THE UNTRY, OM THE GULF AST TO THE NORTH, AND EAST TO WT. OVER THE PAST FEW S, WHILE DRAG WAS FLOURISHG BOTH QUEER ENCLAV AND POP CULTURE, THE OWNERS OF THE PAGEANT GOT STUCK A T, AND THE LADI WHO SASHAYED AWAY WH THE CROWNS WERE TOO OFTEN CHURNG OUT DATED LOOKS, AND TIRED HAIRSTYL, NAILS, AND SHO, ALL TOO REMISCENT OF AN ’80S PROM. YEAR AFTER YEAR, NTTANTS WOULD PLAY TO THE OWNERS’ PREDILECTNS (CLUDG THE LOR PURPLE), AND ATTEMPT TO REPLITE WHAT THE PREV YEAR’S WNER HAD DONE. WH THOSE STALE TASTED, THE NTTANTS WERE FORCED TO ABI BY AN ABSURDLY LONG LIST OF L. FET THE AVANT-GAR. THE STRICTUR WERE BEG MORE LIKE THOSE OF A BUTANTE BALL—AND NOTHG LIKE SOME OF THE GENR-FUCK STYL OF RUPL’S MORE RADIL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MISS GAY AMERI WAS FOUND NASHVILLE 45 YEARS AGO BY JERRY PEEK. AFTER SEEG HIS FIRST EVER DRAG SHOW INDIANAPOLIS, PEEK CID TO NVERT HIS FAILG UNTRY AND WTERN BAR TO A BARET 1971. INSPIRED BY THE ORIGAL MISS AMERI PAGEANT, PEEK CREATED HIS OWN PETN. THE NEXT YEAR HE SENT OUT 400 LETTERS TO GAY BARS THAT HOSTED DRAG SHOWS AROUND THE UNTRY. TO HIS SURPRISE, THAT FIRST YEAR SAW MORE THAN 30 NTTANTS HOPG TO PETE FOR THE CROWN. THE EVENT WAS SO POPULAR THEY HAD TO TURN AWAY WOULD-BE DIENCE MEMBERS AT THE DOOR.MIKE MIKSCHEMOLLY ALICE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 1975, THE PAGEANT WAS PURCHASED BY NORMAN JON; HE RAN UNTIL 2005, AND HAS BEEN CREDED WH MAKG A HOEHOLD BRAND THE DRAG WORLD. SOME OF DRAG’S GREATS WERE FOSTERED BY THIS SYSTEM, CLUDG RANDY FENOLI WHO WON MISS GAY AMERIN 1990 AS BRANDI ALEXANR; HE NOW HOSTS TLC’S SAY Y TO THE DRS. RUPL’S DRAG RACE STAR CO MONTRE ALSO LNCHED HER REER AFTER WNG MISS GAY AMERI 2010. SHE WAS AWARD A NTRACT VEGAS AFTER HER REIGN, FULFILLG A LONGTIME DREAM OF HERS TO BE A “LAS VEGAS SHOW GIRL.” TODAY SHE PERFORMS AT FRANK MARO’S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BACK THOSE EARLY DAYS, THE PAGEANTS WERE FUN AFFAIRS FULL OF PETN AND RARY, AND WEREN’T HIBED BY ALL THE L, WHICH HAVE ARGUABLY STIFLED THE SYSTEM. WHEN JON TOOK OVER, THE NTTANT LE BOOK WAS A BRIEF TWO PAG, BUT TODAY ’S MANY, MANY TIM THAT, ROUGHLY 38 PAG. JON EXPLASED THAT THE PROMOTERS AND NTTANTS FELT THEY NEED MORE GUIDANCE AS TIME WENT ON, SO GREW. “AS THE PAGEANT PROGRSED OF URSE YOU HAD TO HAVE MORE L,” HE TELLSOLD ME, “BUT NOW JT SEEMS LIKE THEY’RE LED TO ATH.” QUEENS RISK LOSG POTS FOR HAVG VISIBLE TATTOOS OR G EXCSIVE PROFANY—TWO ELEMENTS THAT ARE VIRTUALLY OMNIPRENT SOME EPISOS OF RUPL’S DRAG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DPE THE EFFORTS TO REJUVENATE THE SYSTEM, SOME ANTIQUATED L REMA. THE NTT DISURAG “MPY” MAKP FOR TLE HOLRS. (SORRY, BOB THE DRAG QUEEN.) NO FEMIZG SURGIL ENHANCEMENTS ARE ALLOWED BELOW THE NECKLE—HORMON ARE ALSO PROHIBED, AND ANIZERS RERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUT A PHYSIL OR MEDIL EXAMATN IF THEY BELIEVE A NTTANT VLAT THE L. MGA PRIS SELF ON BEG A PETN WHERE, AS S SLOGAN SAYS, “BOYS ARE BOYS AND FEMALE IMPERSONATN IS AN ART.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HAS MGA BEE A VTIGE OF A MISTY “FEMALE ILLNIST” PAST, WHEN BEG OUTRAGEO EHER WASN’T PERMTED OR ADVISABLE? IT’S A “SYMBOL OF EXCELLENCE,” ACRDG TO THE PAGEANT SELF, BUT WHAT DO MEAN TO W A TLE TODAY? AND IS A MISS GAY AMERI RENAISSANCE ON THE WAY?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER YEARS OF LANGUISHG, AND PLAYG ALSO-RAN TO RUPL’S DRAG RACE, THE PAGEANT CIRCU IS G OUT OF THE DARK AG. ENTER MICHAEL DUTZER AND HIS PARTNER, ROB MANSMAN, WHO PURCHASED MISS GAY AMERI FEBARY 2016 WH A VISN FOR THE FUTURE. DUTZER, HIMSELF A DRAG PERFORMER, AND MANSMAN, HAD PROMOTED STATE DRAG PAGEANTS FOR THE USOFA SYSTEM, SO THEY UNRSTOOD THE CHALLENG FACG THE MGA—AND PERHAPS THE PAGEANT SYSTEM AS A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THAT’S JT NOT THE FUTURE OF DRAG, YOU KNOW,” RUPL’S DRAG RACE STAR, TRY TAYLOR (BELOW) SAYS. TAYLOR EXPLAS THAT SPE HER HOEHOLD NAME-STAT THE WORLD OF DRAG, SHE WOULDN’T BE ALLOWED TO PETE MISS GAY AMERI BEE SHE’S HAD SOME WORK DONE. “THAT’S ALMOST LIKE THE OPPOSE OF WHAT THIS CULTURE IS ABOUT. DRAG IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT EXPRSG YOURSELF AND YOUR CREATIVY AND WHAT YOU WANT TO PRENT VERS BEG UNR ALL OF THE STRICT L.”GETTYNEW YORK, NY - MARCH 07: TRY TAYLOR ATTENDS "RUPL'S DRAG RACE" SEASON 9 PREMIERE PARTY & MEET THE QUEENS EVENT AT PLAYSTATN THEATER ON MARCH 7, 2017 NEW YORK CY. (PHOTO BY JOHN LAMPARSKI/WIREIMAGE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“TO HAVE SOMETHG SO PPOTED THAT YOU ONLY WANT THE SAME EXACT REPLI OF WHAT YOU HAD BEFORE, IS JT NOT THE FUTURE OF DRAG.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“NO LONGER DO A NATNAL TLE GET YOU WORK AS MUCH AS, YOU KNOW, ED TO,” TAYLOR SAYS. SHE CLAIMED THAT NOW GIRLS DO BEE THEY LOVE TO PETE. THEY DON’T DO BEE THEY NEED TO PETE TO GET YOUR NAME OUT THERE. AND SHE WOULD KNOW, SEEG THAT SHE’S WON OVER 20 PAGEANT TL, AND TWO NATNAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THIS NEW WAVE OF DRAG WHICH IS SOCIAL MEDIA, YOUTUBE, DRAG RACE, HAS REALLY FILTRATED. THIS ED TO BE AN UNRGROUND ART. NOW ’S MASTREAM AND SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO PAGEANTS TO GET YOUR NAME OUT THERE. YOU ULD DO DRAG RACE, OBVLY, IF YOU GET ON BUT THERE’S OTHER WAYS TOO LIKE YOUTUBE AND JT SOCIAL MEDIA GENERAL. THERE’S JT SO MANY MORE GREAT WAYS TO PROMOTE YOURSELF THAN THERE ED TO BE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RUPL’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS AND PAGEANT VETERAN, ALYSSA EDWARDS (BELOW) AGRE, EXPLAG HOW THE SOUTH, YOU GOT WORK BASED ON WHICH TL YOU HAD. THIS ISN’T REALLY THE SE ANYMORE. “I THK DRAG GENERAL HAS EVOLVED. I THK TIM HAVE EVOLVED.”GETTYLOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: RUPL'S DRAG RACE SEASON 5 ALUMNI ALYSSA EDWARDS POS FOR PORTRA AT 3RD ANNUAL RUPL'S DRAGCON AT LOS ANGEL CONVENTN CENTER ON APRIL 29, 2017 LOS ANGEL, CALIFORNIA. (PHOTO BY ROD ECKENROTH/WIREIMAGE){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOT ONLY DO THEY GET MORE WORK BUT ACRDG TO NORMAN JON, RUPL’S QUEENS ARE GETTG THE MORE LUCRATIVE GIGS: “WHO’S PADDG THEIR BANK ACUNT? A [PAGEANT] LEGEND? NO. A LEGEND IS STG ON HERE JUDGG A PANEL FOR A HUNDRED BUCKS AND A BUFFET… BUT THE ON THAT HAVE CHANGED AND OVERHLED THEIR LOOK AND IS NSTANT WH TODAY’S MASTREAM—THEY’RE THE ON BANKG. THEY’RE THE ON MAKG $3000 AND $4000 A NIGHT.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TAYLOR BELIEV THAT ORR FOR PAGEANTS TO EVOLVE THEY NEED CLU MORE NOVATIVE AND CREATIVE TEGORI SO THAT THEY’RE NOT JT LIMED TO THE TRADNAL BETY QUEENS. SHE THKS THAT THE SRG SYSTEM NEEDS TO ALSO CHANGE TO ATTRACT MORE DIVERSE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CONVERSELY, CO MONTRE (BELOW) EXPLAS THAT THE REASON SHE FIRST CHOSE TO PETE THE MISS GAY AMERI SYSTEM 2008 WAS BEE OF THE L, CLAIMG THAT MA HER THE ENTERTAER THAT SHE IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CO’S DRAG MOTHER, MOKHA MONTRE, TGHT HER THAT THE UNIVERSY OF DRAG WAS PAGEANTRY. “PAGEANTRY IS WHERE YOU LEARN THE DISCIPLE…YOU LEARN HOW TO BE ON TIME, HOW TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT, DO THOSE THGS ON YOUR OWN AND HOW TO ADAPT TO CERTA ENVIRONMENTS,” CO SAYS. “A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T MAKE THIS BS BEE THEY BEE THE ONE H WONRS.”GETTYNEW YORK, NY - AUG 23: CO MONTRE POS FOR A PHOTO DURG THE RUPL'S DRAG RACE ALL STARS SEASON TWO PREMIERE AT THE CROSBY STREET HOTEL ON AUGT 23, 2016 NEW YORK CY. (PHOTO BY KRIS CONNOR/FILMMAGIC){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TAYLOR SISTS THAT THE PAGEANT SYSTEM HELPED TO MAKE HER A POLISHED AND WELL-ROUND ENTERTAER WHO N PERFORM UNR TIGHT CIRCUMSTANC. EDWARDS FEELS THE SAME, AGREEG THAT THE GUIL AND BOUNDARI N BE A GOOD THG, BUT STILL STRSED THAT DRAG IS ART AND ART IS SUBJECTIVE. IT’S EASY TO BE PLACED TO A BOX WH PAGEANTRY, WHICH IS LIKE PUTTG A RAT A GE, AS SHE PUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DUTZER AND MANSMAN OBVLY HAVE THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM, NNG A PAGEANT 2017, AND THEY KNOW . DUTZER IS UPONT THE CHALLENGE OF LIVG A MEDIA-DRIVEN SOCIETY WHERE MORE VALUE IS PLACED ON ENTERTAERS OM TELEVISN THAN THOSE THE PETNS. “WH THE WAY WE’RE GOG I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ON TV, BEE DRAG IS BEG MORE ACCEPTED AND MORE MASTREAM, AND YOU’RE FDG MORE PEOPLE OM DIFFERENT CULTUR AND DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE ATTENDG SHOWS AND SEEKG OUT THAT TYPE OF ENTERTAMENT.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNR THEIR NEW DIRECTN, THEY’RE WORKG TO ADAPT TO THE CHANGG TIM. THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THEY’VE CLUD A “PRENTATN” TEGORY WHERE THE NTTANTS MT E UP WH A HIVE LOOK FOR THE THEME OF THE EVENT. IT’S ALWAYS BEEN A PART OF THE PAGEANT; JT HASN’T BEEN JUDGED SO THE QUEENS DIDN’T MAKE AS MUCH OF AN EFFORT. IT PROVIS SOMETHG DIFFERENT BEYOND JT THE EVENG GOWN AND TALENT AND ALLOWS THE JUDG TO SEE HOW CREATIVE THE QUEENS N BE WH THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I THK I’VE LIFTED A CLOUD OF SERNS AND REALLY MA FUN AGA, AND BASILLY, TO BE VERY NDID, I FEEL LIKE ’S OL,” ARNOLD MYT, A.K.A. SUZY WONG (BELOW), THE REIGNG MISS GAY AMERI SAYS. SHE IS THE FIRST MISS GAY AMERI CROWNED BY DUTZER AND MANSMAN SCE THEY’D PURCHASED THE PAGEANT. “I FEEL LIKE WE’VE TURNED MISS AMERI ONTO A OL PAGE.”KRISTOFER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AT THE MISS GAY NEW YORK AMERI PRELIMARY PAGEANT LATE JULY AT THE HUDSON TERRACE MANHATTAN, THE NEW ATTU WAS ON DISPLAY. THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S NEW YORK PRELIMARY WAS “AMERI,” BUT WHEN BCE SPRGSTEEN’S, “BORN THE U.S.A.” STARTED TO PLAY, THE “OL” FACTOR THAT WONG EMPHASIZED WASN’T REALLY G THROUGH. WAS THIS PART OF SOME GRAND SUBVERSN?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WAS. SURE, THERE WAS SOME OF THE UAL FARE WH ONE QUEEN PARTICULAR SPORTG A VEGAS SHOWGIRL LOOK, BUT THERE WERE SOME REALLY IMAGATIVE OUTFS TOO. ASPIRG QUEEN SOFONDA COX ME OUT LOOKG LIKE YOUR BT IEND’S SPERATE-TO-BE-HIP MOM. SHE WAS TAKG SELFI ON HER PHONE AND SIPPG ON HER STARBUCKS: A PICTURE PERFECT—IF BASIC—AMERIN LOOK. THEN THERE WAS, MOLLY ALICE MX, A PERSONAL FAVORE, DRSED PURAN GARB, PLAYG OUT A BENT TERPRETATN OF HTER PRYNNE OM THE SRLET LETTER. THE QUEENS WERE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DPE SOME JOYFUL MOMENTS OF SUBVERSN AND SELF EXPRSN, THE PAGEANTS STILL MATAED THAT CLASSIC GLAMOUR THAT ONE MIGHT EXPECT OM THE ORIGAL MISS AMERI PETN, PARTICULARLY WH THE “EVENG GOWN” TEGORY. WH ALICIA KEY’S “EMPIRE STATE OF MD," PLAYG, EACH GIRL ME OUT CKED RHTON, GLAM JEWELRY, AND SOME BIG HAIR TOO. EACH TOURED THE STAGE WHILE THE EMCEE ANNOUNCED TAILS OF HER ATTIRE, MENTNG THE SIGNERS AND JEWELERS WHO MAY’VE ASSISTED THE CREATN OF THE FEMALE ILLN. AFTER MAKG THE ROUNDS, THE QUEENS TOOK CENTER STAGE, PICKED A QUTN RD AND WERE QUIZZED ON THEIR PAST OR POTENTIAL FUTURE THE EVENT THAT THEY WERE TO BE CROWNED MISS GAY AMERI. THEY ANSWERED ALL S AND NGENIALY, BUT THERE WAS SOMETHG STIFF ABOUT SOME OF THE RPONS, LIKE SOME WERE STILL PLAYG TO THE JUDG RATHER THAN JT BEG THEMSELV. PERHAPS THE THGS TAKE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NO DOUBT THE PAGEANT SYSTEM HOLDS A VERY IMPORTANT PLACE DRAG HISTORY AND N SHAPE NEW DRAG TALENT BY OFFERG A LEVEL OF DISCIPLE THAT’S DIFFICULT TO FD ANYWHERE ELSE. STILL, SCE A GIRL N NOW MAKE A NAME FOR HERSELF WH A SMART PHONE AND YOUTUBE ACUNT, SEEMS THAT IF PAGEANTS WANT TO STAY RELEVANT, THEY NEED TO NTUE TO DO WHAT MISS GAY AMERI HAS STARTED DOG: ENURAGE A NEW WAVE OF RADIL QUEENS TO BE THEMSELV THROUGH THGS LIKE CREATIVE NEW TEGORI. AND ALTHOUGH L ARE IMPORTANT FOR ANY CRAFT, THERE’S HERENT NFLICT THE IA OF ENURAGG A QUEEN TO BE HERSELF BUT THEN HANDG HER A 39-PAGE HANDBOOK BY WHICH TO DO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I LOVE WATCHG THIS NEW GENERATN OF DRAG…IT’S AMAZG, I APPRECIATE SO MUCH,” EDWARDS SAID WH EXCEMENT HER VOICE. “IT’S LIKE, FET THE L, FET THE HANDBOOK, BEE—WHO WROTE THAT THE FIRST PLACE? WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT DIVE AND ENTERTAERS LIKE THAT, THEY WEREN’T FOLLOWG NO HANDBOOK. IN FACT, THEY WERE MAKG THE HANDBOOK—THE HISTORY BOOK.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MISS GAY AMERI 2018 PETN NS OCTOBER 4 TO 7 NEW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Durg her OB-GYN rincy, she started to feel distant om her spoe and went to unselg, where she realized she’s gay. “I hope people see there are many ways to build a fay — if you are gay, straight, a relatnship or not one, ” said Downs.

Established Nashville 1972, The Miss Gay Ameri Pageant is the world's first, longt nng and most prtig natnwi female impersonator (aka drag) petn. Louis, New York Cy's Pattaya Hart was recently crowned Miss Gay Ameri as the "Symbol of Excellence, " Miss Gay Ameri wners reprent the utmost profsnalism and entertament the art of female impersonatn.

Each October, dozens of nttants om over one hundred cy, state and regnal prelimari across the untry pete over four nights for the Miss Gay Ameri crown. Wng on her first attempt, Pattaya Hart is the send nsecutive wner to be om New York Cy, followg the footsteps of Manhattan entertaer, Miss Gay Ameri 2019, Andora Te'tee.

CHEER FOR YOUR FAVORE QUEENS AT THE MISS GAY ARIZONA AMERI PAGEANT. HERE'S HOW

Also om New York Cy is the Miss Gay Ameri 2020 Fourth Alternate, Fifi is not Pattaya Hart's first drag tle. "The Miss Gay Ameri 2020 wners (last photo) are L-R: Fourth Alternate Fifi DuBois (Miss Gay Midwt Ameri 2019), First Alternate Dextaci (Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic Ameri 2019), Miss Gay Ameri 2020 Pattaya Hart, Miss Gay Ameri 2019 Andora Te'tee, Send Alternate Ivy Dripp (Miss Gay Louisiana Ameri 2019), and Third Alternate Tly Fabu (Miss Gay New York Ameri 2019). A portra of five men petg the Miss Gay Ameri productn, box office & pany Vios2More like thisReview Great ltle filmPageant is a documentary about The Miss Gay Ameri Pageant, apparently THE high stak petn for female impersonators.

Dex Poxter, perhaps better known as drag queen Dextaci, was crowned Miss Gay Ameri at the 50th Miss Gay Ameri pageant Jan. Conttants pete at var cy, state, and direct regnal prelimari for the chance to advance to the official Miss Gay Ameri tle. "Now wng, while 's not as much as a heartache petg, 's also still gog to require effective game-planng and beg proactive wh my support work jt to make sure the bells and whistl n still go along wh beg Miss Gay Ameri.

"A Glamoro Gamble:Dex Poxter's qut to be crowned Miss Gay AmeriPoxter referred to the tle as the "ambassador, " the "CEO" and the "spokmol for Miss Gay Ameri pageantry. " "She has to travel the untry and appear at every prelimary that directly go to her give-up, such as Miss Gay Oklahoma, Miss Gay Missouri, Miss Gay Louisiana, Miss Gay Texas, " Poxter said. "The tegori the Miss Gay Ameri petn are analogo to those featured the Miss Ameri pageant, such as talent, eveng wear, and terview.

Miss Gay Ameri 2020: 46 Photos om the Mother of All Drag Pageants

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Contents:

WHY WAS ALYSSA EDWARDS DETHRONED FROM MISS GAY AMERI PAGEANT?

NASHVILLE'S SUZY WONG CROWNED MISS GAY AMERI

MISS GAY AMERI: SPEECHLS AFTER W LTLE ROCK

FIRST GAY MISS AMERI DEIDRE DOWNS OPENS UP ABOUT WIFE’S PREGNANCY

MONROE PERFORMER REACH DRAG QUEEN SUMM, CROWNED MISS GAY AMERI 2022