Around Town: Miss Gay Lata Asheville and Mister Gay Lato Asheville share center stage | Mounta Xprs

Contents:

• MISS GAY AMERI 2022
• 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
• MISS GAY LATA ASHEVILLE PAGEANT NTU TO EXPAND BEYOND S NAME
• MISS MANNERS: HOW TO PROPERLY ADDRS A LETTER TO GAY MALE UPLE WH SHARED LAST NAME?
• CROWNG ACHIEVEMENT: MISS GAY ARKANSAS PETG FOR NATNAL TLE
• AROUND TOWN: MISS GAY LATA ASHEVILLE AND MISTER GAY LATO ASHEVILLE SHARE CENTER STAGE
• MISS GAY AMERI: SPEECHLS AFTER W LTLE ROCK
• MISS GAY
• MISS GAY AMERI PAGEANT NEXT WEEK

MISS GAY AMERI 2022

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 RuPl was enuragg his queens’ “charisma, uniquens, nerve, and talent, ” the MGA nttants were beg told to lor si the proverbial 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. 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 Gay Ameri was found Nashville 45 years ago by Jerry Peek. 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 ’s drag mother, Mokha Montre, tght her that the universy of drag was pageantry.

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

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. 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. 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!

In his current rearch, Leap is lookg at Harleme, the language of the Harlem Renaissance, where he c a rich and dynamic queer prence and a manner of speakg that, while beg not exclively queer, has fluenced both gay and mastream language to this day. Around the same time, Bra, Polari, what scholars ll an anti-language, was at s peak among gay men, but the jargon would be pletely unregnizable to most English speakers today.

She-g appears almost universally and across centuri gay language, om Pe to the Philipp to South Ai (where gay slang is lled Gayle), to Israel (lled oxtch, rived om an Arabic word meang "my sister"), to Soviet-era Rsia. But Put's Rsia, where the environment remas extremely hostile for LGBT people, the webse, acrdg to a paper by rearcher Stephan Nance, lists a urse on how to speak prent-day Rsian gay, a slang lled goluboy -- om a word related to the bluish lor of a dove -- prumably to help gay Rsians intify one another. ") Denis Provencher, partment head of French and Italian at the Universy of Arizona, has yet to intify a siar argot as Polari or rearch to gay-specific slang French, where disurse, typil French fashn, operat as more waltz than stri.

MISS GAY LATA ASHEVILLE PAGEANT NTU TO EXPAND BEYOND S NAME

" While vobulary might be the most fun part of lavenr lguistics for the layperson, scholars are ncerned wh aspects such as tone, flectn, and gturg, as well as the polil and cultural implitns of language -- how the prs wre about LGBT issu, for example, or how queer people munite wh each other privately and at work, or how gay language is learned. And makg the transn om the judged back to the judge, he has this advice for this year’s nttants Miss Gay Lata Asheville: “As long as you are puttg yourself out there, hong your skills and makg sure you are puttg out a betiful package that says, ‘It’s all about me, ’ you’ll she. A personal thanks to my Miss Gay Heart of Ameri fay, Cocktail Entertament my Daddy and Mommy-Mike and Rodney (Ana Cocktail Miss Tennsee Ameri 2009), for your hard work and ditn to me.

My Memphis support team, Raven and the crew who stuck by me at Miss Gay Ameri this year, I am so of my Miss Gay Ameri iends om across the untry are tryg to make arrangements to attend the ronatn  St. I was greeted baggage claim at the airport by Roger Dimick (promoter of Miss Gay Maryland Ameri), Tillie (Joe Angel) om Oklahoma and Sue Nami all holdg up signs wh different variatns of my given name. Fally we ma our way to Ziegfields DC… what n I say, ’s an amazg plex wh a great owner, a wonrful staff, a betiful show st and show director Ella Fzgerald, management Jon Parks along wh Tatiyanna Voche (Miss Gay Mid East Ameri 2009).

Once the rt of my parental entourage arrived (Larry Tyger and Mike Divoky) we head to Clemente’s where we met up wh Ja Sclair (Miss Gay Midwt 2009) and her partner, Victoria DePla (MGA2009), Sparkle Iman (Miss Gay Kansas Ameri 2009) and Alonzo Glt for dner… or should I say rehearsal dner.

MISS MANNERS: HOW TO PROPERLY ADDRS A LETTER TO GAY MALE UPLE WH SHARED LAST NAME?

I’d received msag wishg me well om almost every former MGA you uld thk of…Vicki hugged me and told me how proud she was of me and I remd her that she was the one rponsible for me even enterg the Miss Gay Ameri Pageant (3 years prr). I'm gog to start this article of this month by tellg you about the wonrful iendships I've ma throughout the years at MGA… the iendships n sometim velop to life long relatnships and this month I had the opportuny to vis a iend, Celebry Starr, as she gave up her cy prelimary tle to Miss Gay Arizona Ameri, Miss Metropolis Ameri Phoenix Arizona. What I enjoyed most about the venu Arizona is that they allowed me the opportuny to addrs the crowd and say hello and thank you for g, then also talk about Miss Gay Ameri, the history, the legacy and the petn October Columb Oh.

CROWNG ACHIEVEMENT: MISS GAY ARKANSAS PETG FOR NATNAL TLE

Daniel Eckstrom the promoter for Miss Gay Arizona Ameri, although he was gog through a major life alterg event his life and his fai liv, he still found time to have a very nice dner wh me and talk wh me personally to get to know where I stand and who I am… We were joed by many cy prelimary owners and bar owners om the area.

TC Yaylor Miss Gay Arizona although she is a bety, she's more than jt a pretty face, she is such a hardworker and advote… she's done many fundraisers for great anizatns durg her reign and she rais money beyond belief, although we weren't able to spend a lot of time together, but was not at all offend as she was dog her duti as Miss Gay Arizona Ameri…which bee she was dog her job accurately, didn't allow for much social time. TC Taylor is jt another great iendship I ma along the way at Miss Gay Metropolis review show at "The Rock" was great, the formers were stunng as I got to s and watch them take the stage wh faiar fac like Angela Dodd, Mya Mckenzie, Chantel Douglas and TC Taylor. It was a pretty ol night… thank you Mike for welg me to your tablishment as this trip was wdg down we me to the day of the cy prelimary Miss Gay Metropolis Ameri(promoters Afeelya Bunz and Johnny/Stasha did a wonrful job wh this cy prelim).

AROUND TOWN: MISS GAY LATA ASHEVILLE AND MISTER GAY LATO ASHEVILLE SHARE CENTER STAGE

Roger was an honor to work wh and I uld easily make Maryland my home bee of him and many other had a blast wh all the activi that Miss Gay Maryland has to offer, bgo night, which all the nttants were attendance, Sue Nami's wonrful Thai dner (si joke), where Sue Nami gave one of the most emotnal speech I've ever heard… rivaled the Mart Luther Kg Jr.

) It was also wonrful to see other prelimary owners, bar managers and promoters om other stat there as well, showg their support for the system Maryland (to clu John Kane and his partner Matt (Patty Lovelace) Atlantic Stat Promoters, Jon Parks of Ziegfields DC and Robert York Miss Gay DC Ameri Staff and Owner (Chuck Bowers) of the Hippo are some of the bt people I know when to how a gut should be treated.

MISS GAY AMERI: SPEECHLS AFTER W LTLE ROCK

Josie- I wanted for nothg when you were around, to Jason-(Peach) and every bartenr who knew that the current Miss Gay Ameri's ia of a drk is Red Bull served to her an unopened n wh a straw and a glass of ice thank you. As my journey as Miss Gay Ameri ntu and a wonrful journey is, I am thankful to all those who have supported me along the begng of my reign”…Be sure you read my next article where I will give you the latt on Las Vegas NV and the Miss Wtern Stat Ameri pageant, and lets jt say what happens Vegas is NOT gonna stay Vegas… until then, thk excellence!

I try to start off every edn of Co ’s rner talkg about the different enti that make Miss Gay Ameri one of the olst and strongt female impersonatn pageant systems around, the fay, iendships, sisterhood, promoters, nttants, supporters and sponsors. Mark, of Las Vegas Costumg Supply, I met Mark merely as a nttant after receivg a betiful rg om him at registratn as a gift (all 50 nttant received one om him as a wele) this past year at Miss Gay Ameri. I was joed by a few of my MGA sisters, Victoria DePla, Rachael Erikks, and many iends like Tly Fabu, Sache’ (Miss Wtern Stat 2009), Robert York (Miss Gay DC Regnal promoter) and Conttant Moni Moore, Peter and a few others.

MISS GAY

It puts perspective all that we do as illnists, so when someone refers to Miss Gay Ameri as a boy pageant don’t bother me bee the world of Female impersonatn we are all men regardls of the cisns and alteratns we make.

I was troduced to many and posed for the paparazzi and after a ltle dancg and orange juice was time for Miss Gay Ameri to retire and prepare for a day of pageantry filled wh admistrative duti, openg rehearsals wh the Las Vegas Dancers, Judg briefgs and nttants orientatns. It was amazgly betiful wh red Velvet Curtas and matchg red velvet walls and rpet… this stage was every entertaers dream and was where 2 nttants Moni Moore and Cha Colls would battle out for a Las Vegas dience, both receivg their ticket to Miss Gay Ameri, beg judged by former Miss Gay Ameri 2009 Victoria DePla, and many big nam the Las Vegas world of entertament, long time Impersonator Frank Maro, and choreographer were jt some of the qualified judg who crowned Moni Moore your New Miss Wtern Stat Ameri.

We hadn’t had a chance to see each other sce petn at Miss Gay Ameri but we took a ltle time to tch up and then was time for me to go to work once aga as the admistrator and nttants liaison at registratn and orientatn. Aga, Mike Rehart ( Miast promoter) and Mark om Las Vegas Costumg were both attendance showg their support of every part of the MGA nng on no sleep, I was able to make all the way through to crowng where 2nd alternate was Hell Bedd, 1st alternate was Sue Nami of Baltimore, Maryland and Symphony Alexanr Love was crowned the new Miss Gay Mid Atlantic Ameri 2010.

MISS GAY AMERI PAGEANT NEXT WEEK

After crqu wh the nttants, we all head to Inn Rehab a great zy bar to see Hell Bedd’s show wh Diamond Hunter and Erika Evans (Miss Gay Oh Ameri 2005), who was a wonrful host, along wh Jeff McNeil at the pageant as well. I am a lover of ice cream and is the reason my gown size has creased sce Miss Gay Ameri om a 4 to a 6 and the bt homema ice cream I’ve ever eaten, is at a place lled Jenni’s, all loted an area lled Short North Columb. I was then shed to the airport after Aron and I pleted our tours and he ma sure I was all checked , we said our goodby and said how we were lookg forward to seeg each other aga at Miss Gay Oh Ameri.

We all have different l and regulatns that make up who we are as a system, but jt as we the gay muny asks the world to accept and rpect for our differenc, those requt we have should start at home our own muni.