First gay Miss Ameri Deidre Downs opens up about wife's pregnancy

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
• D.C. NTTANT CROWNED MISS GAY AMERI ARKANSAS AS STATE'S DRAG LEGISLATN ADVANC
• 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
• CHEER FOR YOUR FAVORE QUEENS AT THE MISS GAY ARIZONA AMERI PAGEANT. HERE'S HOW

WHY WAS ALYSSA EDWARDS DETHRONED FROM MISS GAY AMERI PAGEANT?

Imag, photographs, certa text, and vios may not be pied whout ntact  if you have qutns on what may and may not be Gay Ameri Pageant® is a registered tramark of Mad Angel Entertament©"Where the boys are boys and Female Impersonatn is an Art! Alyssa Edwards famoly won the Miss Gay Ameri pageant 2010 but was stripped off of the crown shortly after.

Alyssa Edwards was throned after wng Miss Gay Ameri 2010 by the Miss Gay Ameri anisatn, which nducts natnal pageants for female impersonators.

It has been reported by var media outlets that the reason for this throng was that Alyssa Edwards nducted some bs algs that nflicted wh the Miss Gay Ameri anisatn's policy.

NASHVILLE'S SUZY WONG CROWNED MISS GAY AMERI

Some media outlets reported that Edwards kept missg major club events and other public appearanc for Miss Gay Ameri.

MISS GAY AMERI: SPEECHLS AFTER W LTLE ROCK

The speculatns suggted that Co did so by revealg to the Miss Gay Ameri anisatn where Alyssa actually was while she was missg om her appearanc for them. She's fally won the top Wong, the drag-queen alter ego of Nashville chef and rtratr Arnold Myt, was crowned Miss Gay Ameri 2017 at the anizatn's annual pageant, held Memphis last weekend. This is the 45th year of the, son of Thai rtrant pneer Patty Myt, who opened Internatnal Market 1975, has three properti Nashville, cludg alter-namake Suzy Wong's Hoe of Yum on Church Street and blvd and pm, both across the street om his mother's Belmont Boulevard market and wng, Suzy Wong was joed onstage by parents Patty and W Myt and sister Anna Gay Ameri was actually the brachild of a Nashville club owner named Jerry Peek, and the first petn took place the summer of 1972 Nashville at the former Watch Your Hat and Coat Saloon on Send Avenue and his partner renamed the place — signed as a untry-wtern mic bar — The Saloon and cid that "the female impersonatn thg would be different and would go over big, " Peek said a Tennsean terview revived the pageant aga 1973 at the Glass Menagerie on 16th Avenue.

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

One of the early challeng of the pageant was fdg a chary that would accept what was then lled "gay" money. "In 2012 Myt won Miss Gay Tennsee Ameri and last year earned the crown as Miss Gay Wtern Stat Jim Myers at 615-259-8367 on Instagram@cularyand on Twter@ReadJimMyers. Miss Gay Ameri 2015Miss Gay Ameri 2015- Blair Williams Miss Gay Southern Stat Ameri 1st Alternate Tly Fabu Miss Gay Eastern Stat Ameri 1st Alternate 2nd Alternate Kelly Ray Shelton Miss Gay North Carola Ameri 3rd Alternate Dextaxi Miss Gay Gulf Stat Ameri 4th Alternate Adria Andrews Miss Gay Missouri Ameri Dsie Love Blake Miss Gay Texas Ameri LeQucha Rodriguez Miss Gay North East Ameri Suzy Wong Miss Gay California Ameri 1st Alternate Sasha Leigh Chambers Miss Gay Mid Ameri Bella DuBalle Miss Gay Tennsee Ameri 1st Alternate.

Miss Gay Ameri 2014Miss Gay Ameri 2014- Jsi Ja (Miss Gay East Coast Ameri)1st alternate-Blair Williams (Miss Gay D C Ameri)2nd Alternate- Christa Colls (Miss Gay Missouri Ameri)3rd Alternate- Kofi (Miss Gay South)4th Alternate- Tly Fabu (Miss Gay Wtern Stat Ameri 1st alternate)Tatiyanna Voche' (Miss Gay D.

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

Ameri 1st alternate)Adria Andrews- Miss Gay Missouri Ameri 1st alternate)Suzy Wong (Miss Mid Ameri)Ja Sclair (Miss Gay Kansas Ameri)LeQucha Rodriguez (Miss Gay Atlantic Stat Ameri)The Miss Gay Ameri 2013 PageantMiss Gay Ameri 2013- Sally Sparkl (Miss Gay Mid Ameri)1st alternate-Blair Williams (Miss Gay Mid Ameri 1st alternate)2nd alternate-Jsi Ja (Miss Gay Southern Elegance Ameri)3rd alternate-Kofi (1st alternate to Miss Wt Ameri)4th alternate-Deva Statn (1st alternate to Miss Gay Mid Atlantic Ameri)Chantel Rhae ( Miss Gay D. Ameri Ameri 1st alternate)Ariel Nile Knight Addams (Miss Gay North Carola Ameri)Araya Sparxx (Miss Gay Atlantic Stat Ameri)The Miss Gay Ameri 2012 PageantMiss Gay Ameri 2012- Kirby Kolby (Miss Gay D.

Ameri)1st alternate-Jsi Ja (Miss Gay Atlantic Stat Ameri)2nd alternate-Jenna Skyy (Miss Gay Texas Ameri)3rd alternate-Araya Sparxx (1st alternate to Miss Gay Maryland Ameri)4th alternate-Blair Williams (1st alternate to Miss Gay Gulf Stat Ameri)Celia Putty ( Miss Gay Arizona Ameri)Tanisha Foxx (Miss Gay Tri Stat Ameri)Roxi Hart (Miss Gay Oklahoma Ameri)Sally Sparkl (Miss Gay Heart of Ameri)Chantel Rhae (Miss Gay Mid East Ameri)The Miss Gay Ameri 2011 PageantMiss Gay Ameri 2011- Coti Colls (Miss Gay D. Ameri)1st alternate-Jsi Ja (Miss Gay Mid East Ameri)2nd alternate-Chantel Rhae (Miss Gay Gulf Stat Ameri)3rd alternate-Sally Sparkl (1st alternate to Miss Gay Heart of Ameri)4th alternate-Tajma Stetson (1st alternate to Miss Gay Missouri Ameri)Tatiyanna Voche’ ( Miss Gay Atlantic Stat Ameri)Sue Nami (1st alternate to Miss Gay Mid Atlantic)Zhane’ Kennedy (Miss Gay Louisiana Ameri)Onyx Revlon (Miss Gay Maryland Ameri)Sasha Leigh Chambers (Miss Gay Heart of Ameri)The Miss Gay Ameri 2010 PageantMiss Gay Ameri 2010-Miss Heart of Ameri – Co Montre2nd alternate-Miss Gay D. Ameri – Jsi Ja3rd alternate-Miss Southern Elegance Ameri – Sally Sparkl4th alternate-Miss Mid Atlantic Ameri – Krista KellyMiss Mid East Ameri 1st alternate– Cha CollsMiss Gay Florida Ameri – Moni MooreMiss Gay Missouri Ameri 1st Alternate – Tajma StetsonMiss Gay Oh Ameri– Symphony Alexanr LoveMiss Gay Mid East Ameri – Tatiyanna Voche’The Miss Gay Ameri 2009 PageantMiss Gay Ameri 2009-Miss Gay D.

Ameri – Victoria DePla1st alternate-Miss East Coast Ameri – Chantel Rhae2nd alternate-Miss Mid-East Ameri – Coti Colls3rd alternate-Miss Mid-East Ameri 1st Alternate – Alyssa Edwards4th alternate-Miss Wtern Stat Ameri – Cha CollsMiss Maryland Ameri– Tatiyanna Voche’Miss Maryland Ameri 1st Alternate Sue NamiMiss Gay D. Ameri 1st Alternate Jsi JaMiss Gay Mid-Wt Ameri– Alana SteeleMiss Heart of Ameri– Ja SclairThe Miss Gay Ameri 2008 PageantMikaila Kay-Miss Gay Ameri 2008 (Miss Gay Wtern Stat 1st alternate) Layla LaRue-1st alternate (Miss Southern Elegance Ameri)Victoria DePla-2nd alternate (Miss Gay Midwt Ameri) Coti Colls-3rd alternate (Miss Gay North Carola Ameri) Chantel Rhae-4th alternate (Miss Gay East Coast 1st alternate) Chelsea Delorean Dive (Miss Gay Louisiana Ameri)Co Montre (Miss Gay Florida Ameri)Victoria Parker ( Miss Gay D. Ameri)Melody Michaels (Miss Gay Oklahoma 1st alternate)Cha Colls (Miss Mid Ameri)The Miss Gay Ameri 1999 PageantMiss Gay Ameri 1999- Lda Carerro1st alternate-Kirby Kolby2nd alternate-Catia Lee Love3rd alternate-Chary Case4th alternate-Jsi DanielsRaquel ChevallierNile DuBoisKara YoungAysia AlexanrChampagne DouglasMiss Gay Ameri 1998:Miss Gay Ameri 1998-Maya Montana1st alternate-Lda Carrero2nd alternate-Lana Eastman3rd alternate-Kirby Kolby4th alternate-Celia PuttyLoreal ChilaneKofiRaquel ChevallierSabra WheCatia Lee LoveThe Miss Gay Ameri 1997 PageantMiss Gay Ameri 1997- Lren Taylor1st alternate-Laken Edwards2nd alternate-Lana Eastman3rd alternate-Dieta Pepsi4th alternate-Shae Shae LaReeFontasia LamourLda CarreroRaquel ChevallierSabra WheKirby KolbyThe Miss Gay Ameri 2000 PageantMiss Gay Ameri 2000- Catia Lee Love1st alternate-Chary Case2nd alternate-Kirby Kolby3rd alternate-Sabra Whe4th alternate-Laken EdwardsRaquel ChevallierLauntrs FarrgronBrazonJsi DanielsHolli WoodThe Miss Gay Ameri 1995 PageantMiss Gay Ameri 1995- Ramona LeGer'1st alternate-Patti LePlae Safe2nd alternate-Nile DuBois3rd alternate-Dieta Pepsi4th alternate-Loreal ChilaneWhney PaigeKerri NicholsKofiLaken EdwardsBrazonThe Miss Gay Ameri 1994 PageantMiss Gay Ameri 1994- Jacqulyn DeVaroe1st alternate-Ramona LeGer'2nd alternate-Coppa LeMay3rd alternate-Blair Williams4th alternate-Kerri NicholsChary CaseRega Aigner'Dieta PepsiWhney PaigeKathy KleThe Miss Gay Ameri 1993 PageantMiss Gay Ameri 1993- Llie Rage1st alternate-Co2nd alternate-Dieta Pepsi3rd alternate-Tumara Mahorng4th alternate-Kelly CiseDyan MichaelsJacqulyn DeVaroeBrooke CarrgtonWhney PaigeRamona LeGer'Lady Barbara Award (bt overall not the Top 10)-Kara YoungMiss Congenialy/Lady Barbara Award-Lisa CastiliaThe Miss Gay Ameri 1984 PageantTop 12:Tasha Kohl- Miss Gay Ameri 1984Naomi Sims- 1st alternateStella Star- 2nd alternateSooki SamoneVicki VcentCandi StratonElisa MontgomeryTdy TylerDiana Lee MchellLisa KgKelly AlmondJan Murphy.

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.

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

”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.

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

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.