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Drag pageantry is a developed form of pageantry for female impersonators, drag queens, and trans women, styled after traditional beauty pageants or contests for cisgender women. It has also evolved into a pageantry for male impersonators, drag kings and trans men.
National pageants in the United States
National drag pageants became enmeshed within the gay community during the 1960s with a national circuit of pageants organized by Flawless Sabrina and have become increasingly prevalent since. Drag pageants were held in individual gay bars, and discothèques during the post Stonewall era. Drag pageants evolved independently, in the decade subsequent to the first gay Mardi Gras coronations.
Miss Gay America
Mirroring the format of the Miss America contest, the first national gay pageant Miss Gay America (MGA) was held in 1972 at the Watch Your Hat & Coat Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville's first gay dance and show bar.[1] Jerry Peek opened this bar in 1971, and it was an instant sensation, not only with gay patrons, but also with the straight crowd. Norma Kristie, state representative of Arkansas, was crowned as the winner of the 1973 Miss Gay America Pageant, and in 1975 Norman "Norma Kristie" Jones took ownership of the pageant from Jerry Peek, who founded the Miss Gay America Pageant. Norman Jones would form Norma Kristie, Inc. and operate the pageant and its network of preliminaries for the next 30 years.[1]
Since its inception, MGA has prided itself as a showcase for pure female impersonation: Contestants must be men who live as men, achieving a convincing feminine illusion solely through their own ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness. Bodily feminization via female hormones, breast implants, and/or injectable fillers such as liquid silicone is strictly forbidden (plastic surgery and fillers above the neck are permitted, however). An interview in male attire is a key component of the pageant; contestants are judged not only for their poise and articulateness but for their overall masculine presentation—points may be deducted for feminine aspects such as overly plucked eyebrows or long fingernails.
In February 2005, the Miss Gay America pageantry system was purchased by Larry Tyger and Terry Eason of L & T Entertainment. Currently, contestants are judged in 5 categories: Male Interview, Solo Talent, Evening Gown, Stage Question & Answer, and Production Talent.
On February 4, 2016, Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman of Mad Angel Entertainment purchased the Miss Gay America pageant From L & T Entertainment.[2]
Former titleholders
| Year | Titleholder | Given name | First alternate | Second alternate | Third alternate | Fourth alternate | Crowning venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Norma Kristie, Miss Gay Arkansas | Norman Jones | Charlie Brown, Miss Gay Georgia | Genie Dee, Miss Gay ? | No record | No record | Watch Your Hat & Coat Saloon, Nashville, TN | Retired |
| 1974 | Lady Baronessa, Miss Gay Illinois | Carmel Santiago | Roski Fernandez, Miss Gay Florida, Alt. | Billie Boots, Miss Gay Florida | No record | No record | Glass Menagerie Nightclub, Nashville, TN | Deceased, 1992 - *1 |
| 1975 | Shawn Luis, Miss Gay Illinois | Shawn Ocampo | Roski Fernandez, Miss Gay Florida | Michael Andrews, Miss Gay ? | Jodi Lane, Miss Gay Texas | No record | Atlanta Americana Hotel Ballroom, Atlanta, GA | Retired; underwent gender reassignment. |
| 1976A | Shan Covington, Miss Gay South | Shan Covington | Michael Andrews, Miss Gay Southwest | Dani Daletto, Miss Gay Michigan | Shannon Forrester, Miss Gay Texas | No record | Depository Nightclub, Houston, TX | Decrowned, Deceased, 1998 - *2 |
| 1976B | Dani Daletto, Miss Gay Michigan | Jose Mondelano | X | X | X | X | Vapors Nightclub, Hot Springs, AR | Deceased, 1989 |
| 1977 | Michael Andrews, Miss Gay South | Michael Androlewicz | Naomi Sims, Miss Gay Texas | Shannon Forrester, Miss Gay Southwest | Jimi Dee, Miss Gay South, Alt. | Rachel Wells, Miss Gay Georgia | Old Plantation Nightclub, Houston, TX | Deceased, 1989 |
| 1978 | Jimi Dee, Miss Gay South | Jimmy Dillard | Hot Chocolate, Miss Gay ? | Lady Shawn, Miss Gay ? | Ginger Roberts, Miss Gay ? | Lisa King, Miss Gay ? | Machinist's Hall, St. Louis, MO | Deceased, 1996 |
| 1979 | Rachel Wells, Miss Gay South, Alt. | John Greenwell | Hot Chocolate, Miss Gay Texas | Lady Shawn, Miss Gay South | Lisa King, Miss Gay ? | No record | Fox Theater, Atlanta, GA | Retired[3] |
| 1980 | Hot Chocolate, Miss Gay East Coast | Larry Edwards | Lady Shawn, Miss Gay Texas | Dana Manchester, Miss Gay South | Satyn DeVille, Miss Gay Georgia | Donna Drag, Miss Gay Midwest | Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA | Active, Las Vegas Headliner |
| 1981 | Lady Shawn, Miss Gay East Coast | Shawn Danny Marshall | Genevieve Ryder, Miss Gay Great Lakes | Jennifer Foxx, Miss Gay Michigan | Lindsey Love, Miss Gay Texas | No record | Masonic Temple, Detroit, MI | Deceased, 2005 |
| 1982 | Jennifer Foxx, Miss Gay North | Bobby Bruno | Francesca Wakeland, Miss Gay ? | Tasha Kohl, Miss Gay Southwest | Naomi Sims, representing Louisiana, Miss Gay ? | No record | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, TX | Active |
| 1983 | Francesca Wakeland, Miss Gay Tri-States | Jon Meadows | Naomi Sims, Miss Gay South | Tasha Kohl, Miss Gay Texas | Trudy Tyler, Miss Gay South, Alt. | Liza Blue, Miss Gay North Carolina, Alt. | Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC | Retired |
| 1984 | Tasha Kohl, Miss Gay Mid-America | Jerry Faulkner | Naomi Sims, first alternate to Miss Gay Tri-States | Stella Starr, Miss Gay North Carolina | Candi Stratton, Miss Gay Illinois, Alt. | No record | Oklahoma City Convention Center, Oklahoma City, OK | Retired From Regular Performances |
| 1985 | Naomi Sims, Miss Gay Dreamstates | Newman Braud | Fritz Capone, Miss Gay Kansas | Melinda Ryder, Miss Gay Missouri | No record | No record | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, TX | Deceased, 1992 |
| 1986 | Lauren Colby, Miss Gay North Carolina, Alt. | Robb Robinson | Diana Black, Miss Gay Great Lakes | Toni Lenore, Miss Gay North Carolina | No record | No record | Indianapolis Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN | Active |
| 1987 | Blaze Starr, Miss Gay Tri-States | David Brazil | Cherry Lane, Miss Gay Arkansas, Alt. | Kelly Ray Shelton, Miss Gay North Carolina | No record | No record | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, TX | Retired |
| 1988 | Cherry Lane, Miss Gay Tri-States | Michael Smothers | Rachel Masters, Miss Gay Texas, Alt. | Valerie Lohr, Miss Gay Texas | No record | No record | Fox Theater, Atlanta, GA | Retired |
| 1989 | Vicki Vincent, Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic | Roger Piatt | Brandi Alexander, Miss Gay North | Sweet Savage, Miss Gay Texas | No record | No record | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, TX | Active |
| 1990 | Brandi Alexander, Miss Gay Great Plains | Randy Fenoli | Valerie Lohr, Miss Gay Mid-West | Tiffany Bonét, Miss Gay Atlantic Coast | Charity Case, Miss Gay Illinois | Sweet Savage, Miss Gay Southwest | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, TX | Retired |
| 1991 | Valerie Lohr, Miss Gay South, Alt. | Gary Lytle | COCO, Miss Gay South | Tiffany Bonét, Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic | Leslie Rage, Miss Gay New York | Donna Day, Miss Gay Heart of America, Alt. | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, TX | Active |
| 1992 | Tiffany Bonét, Miss Gay Mid-East | Acey Hendricks | Leslie Rage, Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic | Blair Williams, Miss Gay North Carolina | Amazing Grace, Miss Gay Texas | Coco, Miss Gay D.C., Alt. | Majestic Theater, Dallas, TX | Active |
| 1993 | Leslie Rage, Miss Gay Mid-East | Leslie DeLaCruz | COCO, Miss Gay Southwest, Alt. | Dieta Pepsi, Miss Gay Heart of America | Tumara Mahorning, Miss Gay Missouri | Kelly Cruise, Miss Gay Arkansas | Majestic Theater, Dallas, TX | Deceased, 1995 |
| 1994 | Jacqulyn DeVaroe, Miss Gay Delta States, Alt. | Darius Cordell | Ramona LeGér, Miss Gay Miss Gay Mid-East, Alt. | Coppa Lamé, Miss Gay Mid-America | Blair Williams, Miss Gay Mid East | Kerri Nichols, Miss Gay North Carolina | Majestic Theater, Dallas, TX | Retired |
| 1995-A | Ramona LeGér, Miss Gay Mid-East | Louis Marcello | Patti Le Plae Safe, Miss Gay Gulf States, Alt. | Nicole DuBois, Miss Gay Southern Elegance | Dieta Pepsi, Miss Gay Great Plains | Loreal Chillane, Miss Gay Gulf States | Majestic Theater, Dallas, TX | Deceased, 1995 - *3 |
| 1995-B | Patti Le Plae Safe, Miss Gay Gulf States, Alt. | Rodd Grey | X | X | X | X | Robinson Center Music Auditorium, Little Rock, AR (During the 1996 Pageant) | Active |
| 1996 | Kerri Nichols, Miss Gay Mid-America | Jeff Capell | Lauren Taylor, Miss Gay Texas | Linda Carrero, Miss Gay Mid-East | Kofi, Miss Gay Gulf States[4] | Lana Eastman, Miss Gay Gulf States, Alt.[5] | Robinson Center Music Auditorium, Little Rock, AR | Active |
| 1997 | Lauren Taylor, Miss Gay Mid-West, Alt. | Darrell Cantu | Laken Edwards, Miss Gay Texas | Lana Eastman, Miss Gay Mid-West | Shae Shae LaReese, Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic[6] | Dieta Pepsi, Miss Gay Mid-America, Alt.[7] | Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC | Semi-Retired |
| 1998 | Maya Montana, Miss Gay Virginia | Renante Borromeo | Linda Carrero, Miss Gay Mid-America | Lana Eastman, Miss Gay Mid-East | Kirby Kolby, Miss Gay Mid-West, Alt.[8] | Celia Putty, Miss Gay Land of Enchantment[9] | Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC | Active |
| 1999 | Linda Carrero, Miss Gay Mid-South, Alt. | Omar Reyes | Kirby Colby, Miss Gay West Virginia | Catia Lee Love, Miss Gay ? | Charity Case, Miss Gay Texas[10] | Jessica Daniels, Miss Gay Louisiana[11] | Athena Theater, Little Rock, AR | Active |
| 2000 | Catia Lee Love, Miss Gay Mid-America | Aron Harvey | Charity Case, Miss Gay Southern Elegance | Kirby Kolby, Miss Gay Miss Mid-West[12] | Sabrina White, Miss Gay D.C.[13] | Laken Edwards, Miss Queen City[14] | Lincoln Theater, Washington D.C. | Active |
| 2001 | Charity Case, Miss Gay Central States | Mark Coleman | Sabrina White, Miss Gay Atlantic Coast[15] | Dominique Sanchez, Miss Gay ? | Truly Fabu | Laken Edwards | Athena Theater, Little Rock, AR | Active |
| 2002 | Sabrina White, Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic | Russell Marcum | Kitty Bob Aimes, Miss Gay Oklahoma | Dominique Sanchez, Miss Gay Mid-West, Alt.[16] | Angela Dodd, Miss Gay Arizona, Alt. | Victoria DePaula, Miss Gay Central States[17] | Dallas Convention Center-Dallas, TX | Active |
| 2003 | Dominique Sanchez, Miss Gay Mid-America | Chris Williams | Jayda Alexander, Miss Gay Louisiana, Alt. | Angela Dodd, Miss Gay Arizona | Raquel Chevallier, Miss Gay Florida, Alt. | No 4th Alt this year | Athena Theater-Little Rock, AR | Active |
| 2004 | Rachael Erikks, Miss Gay Heart of America | Ray Robertson | Alana Steele, Miss Gay Indiana | Truly Fabu, Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic | Kitty Bob Aimes | Raquel Chevallier | Athena Theater, Little Rock, AR | Active |
| 2005 | Raquel Chevallier, Miss Gay Tri-States | Scott Peters | Alina Meletti, Miss Gay Florida, Alt. | Alyssa Edwards, Miss Gay Texas | Chantel Reshae | Alana Steele | Athena Theater, Little Rock, AR | Active |
| 2006 | Nicole DuBois, Miss Gay Mid-America | Tommy Davis | Coti Collins, Miss Gay East Coast | Victoria Parker, Miss Gay ? | Alyssa Edwards | Layla Larue, Miss Gay Texas | Cannon Center, Memphis, TN | Active |
| 2007 | Luscious, Miss Gay Western States | Monica Gates | Coti Collins, Miss Gay North Carolina | Alina Maletti | Victoria DePaula | China Collins | Cannon Center, Memphis, TN | Active |
| 2008 | Mikaila Kay, Miss Gay Western States, Alt. | Josh Bolin | Layla Larue, Miss Gay Southern Elegance, Alt. | Victoria DePaula, Miss Gay Midwest | Coti Collins | Chanel Reshae | Holiday Inn Select Airport Ballroom, Memphis, TN | Active |