- Drag pageantry
-
Cross-dressing History of cross-dressing Breeches role · Breeching
Travesti · In film and television
In wartime · Pantomime dameKey elements As a transgender identity
Passing · TransvestismModern drag culture Ball culture · Drag
Drag king · Drag pageantry
Drag queen · Faux queen
List of drag queensSexual aspects Autoandrophilia · Autogynephilia
Feminization · Pinafore eroticism
Transvestic fetishism
Sissy · Transgender sexualitySexual attraction
to cross-dressersAndromimetophilia
GynemimetophiliaOther aspects Bacha posh · Crossplay
En femme
Female masking
Girlfag and guydyke
Gender disguisePassing as male Breast binding · Packing Passing as female Cleavage enhancement
Hip and buttock paddingOrganizations Tri-Ess Books My Husband Betty
She's Not The Man I MarriedDrag pageantry is a highly developed form of pageantry for female impersonators and trans women, styled after traditional beauty pageants or beauty contests.
Contents
Pageants in the United States
National drag pageants became enmeshed within the gay community during the 1970s, and have become increasingly prevalent since. The first drag pageants were held in individual gay bars, and discothèques during the post Stonewall era. Drag pageants evolved independently, in the decade subsequent to the first gay Mardi Gras coronations.
Miss Gay America
Mirroring the format of the Miss America contest, the first national gay pageant Miss Gay America (MGA) was held in 1972 at the Watch Your Hat & Coat Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville's first gay dance and show bar. Jerry Peek opened this bar in 1971,and was an instant sensation. Not only with the gay patrons, but also with the straight crowd. Norma Kristie, state representative of Arkansas, was crowned as the winner. In 1975 Norman "Norma Kristie" Jones purchased the pageant from the previous owner, Jerry Peek, who founded the Miss Gay America Pageant, and formed Norma Kristie, Inc. to run the pageant and its network of preliminaries.
The MGA pageantry system grew in size and scope over the next decade. Like its mainstream counterpart, MGA developed a system of preliminary state-wide and regional contests (i.e. Miss Gay Arkansas, Miss Gay Texas, Miss Gay Midwest, etc.) from which to draw contestants. Female impersonators were scored in interview, evening gown and talent competitions. Later a sportswear category was added, called "Contemporary Fashion." After about 12 years it was decided to change the category to "Creative Fashion," a category that was never fully understood by anyone, especially the judges and contestants, and finally morphed into "Creative Costume." It was eventually replaced with Solo Talent. While some of the contestants performed live vocals, dance or comedy skits; the vast majority showcased their talent of lip syncing to music on records, then cassette tapes, and finally CD's. 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, On-Stage Question & Answer, and Talent.
List of Former Miss Gay America Titleholders
Year Winner Title Representing City of Residency Crowning Venue City Other Notes 1973 Norma Kristie Miss Gay Arkansas Hot Springs, AR Watch Your Hat & Coat Saloon Nashville, TN Retired 1974 Lady Baronessa* Miss Gay Illinois Chicago, IL The Glass Menagery Nightclub Nashville, TN Deceased 1992 1975 Shawn Luis ? Chicago, IL Atlanta Americana Hotel Ballroom Atlanta, GA Retired 1976 Shan Covington ? Dallas, TX The Depository Nightclub Houston, TX Decrowned** / Deceased 1976 Dani Daletto Miss Gay Michigan Detroit, MI Vapors Nightclub Hot Springs, AR Deceased 1989 1977 Michael Andrews ? Houston, TX The Old Plantation Nightclub Houston, TX Deceased 1978 Jimi Dee Miss Gay South Dallas, TX Machinist's Hall St. Louis, MO Deceased 1979 Rachel Wells 1st Alt., Miss Gay South Atlanta, GA Fox Theater Dallas, TX Retired 1980 Hot Chocolate Miss Gay East Coast Houston, TX Atlanta Convention Center Atlanta, GA Las Vegas Headliner 1981 Lady Shawn Miss Gay East Coast Dallas, TX Masonic Temple Detroit, MI Deceased 1982 Jennifer Foxx Miss Gay North Detroit, MI Dallas Convention Center Dallas, TX 1983 Francesca Wakeland ? Johnson City, TN Ovens Auditorium Charlotte, NC Retired 1984 Tasha Kohl Miss Gay Mid-America Ft. Worth, TX Oklahoma City Convention Center Oklahoma City, OK Retired 1985 Naomi Sims Miss Gay Tri-States Houston, TX Dallas Convention Center Dallas, TX Deceased 1992 1986 Lauren Colby 1st Alt., Miss Gay North Carolina Wilmington, NC Indianapolis Convention Center Indianapolis, IN ~ 1987 Blaze Starr Miss Gay Tri-States Atlanta, GA Dallas Convention Center Dallas, XT Retired 1988 Cherry Lane Miss Gay Tri-States Little Rock, AR Fox Theater Atlanta, GA Retired 1989 Vicki Vincent Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic St. Louis, MO Dallas Convention Center Dallas, TX ~ 1990 Brandi Alexander ? Baton Rouge, LA Dallas Convention Center Dallas, TX Retired 1991 Valerie Lohr 1st Alt., Miss Gay South Dallas, TX Dallas Convention Center Dallas, TX ~ 1992 Tiffany Bone't Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic Winston-Salem, NC Majestic Theater Dallas, TX ~ 1993 Leslie Rage Miss Gay Mid-East Baldwin, NY Majestic Theater Dallas, TX Deceased 1994 Jacqulyn DeVaroe ? Norman, OK Majestic Theater Dallas, TX Retired 1995 Ramona LeGer' Miss Gay Mid-East Independence, LA Majestic Theater Dallas, TX Deceased*** 1995 Patti Le Plae Safe Miss Gay Gulf States Dallas, TX Robinson Center Music Auditorium Little Rock, AR ~ 1996 Kerri Nichols Miss Gay Mid-America Charlotte, NC Robinson Center Music Auditorium Little Rock, AR ~ 1997 Lauren Taylor Miss Gay Texas Austin, TX Ovens Auditorium Charlotte, NC Retired 1998 Maya Montana Miss Gay Virginia Falls Church, VA Ovens Auditorium Charlotte, NC ~ 1999 Linda Carrero Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic Silver Springs, MD Athena Theater Little Rock, AR ~ 2000 Catia Lee Love Miss Gay Mid-America Tulsa, OK Athena Theater Little Rock, AR ~ 2001 Charity Case Miss Gay Central States Dallas, TX Athena Theater Little Rock, AR ~ 2002 Sabrina White Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic Baltimore, MD Dallas Convention Center Dallas, TX ~ 2003 Dominique Sanchez Miss Gay Mid-America Little Rock, AR ? ? ~ 2004 Rachael Erikks Miss Gay Heart of America Oklahoma City, OK ? ? ~ 2005 Raquel Chevalie'r Miss Gay Tri-States New Orleans, LA ? ? ~ 2006 Nicole DuBois Miss Gay Mid-America Gulfport, MS Cannon Center Memphis, TN ~ 2007 Luscious Miss Gay Western States Columbia, SC Cannon Center Memphis, TN ~ 2008 Mikaila Kay 1st Alt., Miss Gay Western States Phoenix, AZ Holiday Inn Select Airport Grand Ballroom Memphis, TN ~ 2009 Victoria DePaula Miss Gay District of Columbia (D.C.) Kansas City, MO Millennium Hotel Grand Ballroom St. Louis, MO ~ 2010 Alyssa Edwards 1st Alt., Miss Gay Heartland Mesquite, TX Millennium Hotel Grand Ballroom St. Louis, MO Decrowned**** 2010 Coco Montrese Miss Gay Heart of America St. Petersburg, FL The Grey Fox Nightclub St. Louis, MO ~ 2011 Coti Collins Miss Gay District of Columbia (D.C.) Raleigh, NC Lifestyles Pavilion Auditorium Columbus, OH 2012 Kirby Kolby Miss Gay District of Columbia (D.C.) Raleigh, NC The Capitol Theatre at the Riffe Center Columbus, OH Current - (*)Lady Baronessa's full name was "The Lady Baroness Maria Andrea del Santiago."
- (**)Shan Covington had his crown removed for conduct unbecoming a Miss Gay America. The title was offered to first alternate Michael Andrews, who passed it up because he wanted to come back & win it. It then went to the second alternate, Dani Daletto. Dani was crowned in a special ceremony at the 1976 Miss Gay South Pageant held at Vapors Nightclub in Hot Springs, AR.
- (***)Ramona LeGer' died 5 months into his reign. First alternate Patti Le Plae Safe opted not to be crowned or wear the crown during his 'reign'. He was the Official Miss Gay America Representative, until the night of the 1996 Miss Gay America Pageant, at which he was finally crowned the Official Miss Gay America 1995 in a special ceremony.
- (****)Alyssa had his crown removed due to scheduling conflicts with previous engagements & his Miss Gay America duties. The title went to first alternate Coco Montrese, who was crowned in a special ceremony at The Grey Fox Nightclub in St. Louis, MO.
- Coti Collins is the longest-competing Miss Gay America winner. His first appearance at Miss Gay America was in 1988.
Miss Continental U.S.A.
Main article: Miss ContinentalAs MGA grew in popularity, many professional female impersonators found they were unable to compete in the pageant due to its prohibition against the use of hormones, silicone injections (below the neck), and/or breast implants. Aside from the prestige of holding a national title, the MGA crown afforded the winner guaranteed show bookings at every state preliminary held during the title year. For the winner, the MGA crown turned what was often local, part-time work into a full time job. As many transsexual and trans-gender performers used drag shows as a source of income, it was only natural that a pageantry system would evolve to meet their needs.
In 1980, Chicago nightclub promoter Jim Flint, owner of the Baton Show Lounge, filled this void with the creation of the Miss Continental U.S.A. Pageant. Contestants were scored in interview, swim wear, talent, and evening gown; for the finalists, an on stage question. The first Miss Continental was Chili Pepper, who has never had implants. Chili, the first Miss Continental represents female impersonation in its truest form. The Continental Pageantry System became renowned for its "titty girls," or pre-operative transsexual contestants.
List of Former Miss Continental Titleholders:
(All winners were crowned in Chicago, IL)
- 1980 - Chili Pepper
- 1981 - Heather Fontaine
- 1982 - Tiffany Ariegus
- 1983 - Chena Black
- 1984 - Cherene Alexander
- 1985 - Maya Douglas
- 1986 - Tandi Andrews
- 1987 - Dana Douglas
- 1988 - Kelly Lauren
- 1989 - Lakesha Lucky
- 1990 - Chanel Dupree
- 1991 - Amber Richards
- 1992 - Mimi Marks
- 1993 - Monica Monroe
- 1994 - Cezanne
- 1995 - Lady Cateria
- 1996 - Paris Frantz
- 1997 - Tasha Long
- 1998 - Michelle Dupree
- 1999 - Tommie Ross
- 2000 - Danielle Hunter
- 2001 - Candis Cayne
- 2002 - Yoshiko Oshiro
- 2003 - Erika Norell
- 2004 - Erica Andrews
- 2005 - Domanique Shappelle
- 2006 - Victoria LePaige
- 2007 - Necole Luv Dupree
- 2008 - Tulsi
- 2009 - Armani
- 2010 - Mokha Montrese
- 2011 - Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington
USA Unlimited
North Carolina USA Unlimited, under the direction of President and CEO Jeff Reeves (aka former Miss Gay USA at Large Nancy Newton), has been one of the nation’s premier male entertainer contest outlets. Giving an outlet for both male entertainers of all types and male impersonators for 20 years, USA Unlimited has broadened the horizons for many entertainers, recently adding female competitions to the line up in 2011. For many years, these types of contests were not a popular as the female impersonator pageants, but a recent boom in attendance and talented individuals have given a surge in popularity to these events. Annually holding in addition to the Mr. Unlimited contest, USA Unlimited also presents:
– Mr. Unlimited
– Mr. Unlimited Bear
- Mr. Unlimited Cub
– Mr. Unlimited FMI – Must be female
– Miss Unlimited – For female impersonators
– Mr. & Miss. Unlimited @ Large – Must weight a minimum of 200 lbs
– Mr. & Miss Classique- Must be at least 35 years of age
- Miss. Unlimited Lipstick- must be femaleThe USA Unlimited Family is a closely knit group of people from across the country who shares a single goal. That is giving male and female entertainers the opportunity to perform and be recognized for the entertainment qualities they possess.
Current National Title Holders:
Mr. Unlimited 2011- Cielo Whitney
Miss. Unlimited 2011- Raven Wood
Mr. Unlimited Cub 2011- Chip Matthews
Mr. Unlimited Bear 2011- Stone Parque
Mr. Unlimited FMI 2011- Maccon Haze
Mr. Unlimited @ Large 2011- Jerry Trollinger
Miss. Unlimited @ Large 2011- Ivy White
Mr. Unlimited Classique 2011- Jemar
Miss. Unlimited Classique 2011- Erica Martinez
Miss. Unlimited Lipstick 2011- Miss Amy
Miss. Unlimited Newcomer 2011- Reina Michaels-Parque
Mr. Unlimited Newcomer 2011- Trey Love
www.usaunlimited.org
Miss Gay USofA
Houston, Texas based MGA promoter Jerry Bird purchased the bankrupt Miss Gay USA pageant from former MGA Jimi Dee in 1985. (Fairfield, Carrie. "Interview with Jerry Bird". http://www.carriefairfield.com/community/index.php?showtopic=14619. Retrieved 2006-08-17.) Within a few years he took the pageant from a small twelve contestant affair to a national showcase with over eighty participants. In 1986, the first Miss Gay USA Naomi Sims crowned Michael Andrews. In the mid-1990s the pageant was re-named Miss Gay USofA after complaints and legal threats from the owner of Miss USA, Donald Trump, who placed a cease and desist order until verbiage could be agreed upon that allowed for both competitions to continue without confusion or discrimination.
There have been a wide range of contestants in the Miss USofA System, and it is interesting to note that many USofA titleholders also count the Miss Gay America crown as accomplishments in female impersonation. These include:
Naomi Sims, Miss Gay USA 1979 (Miss Gay America 1985); Michael Andrews, Miss Gay USA 1986 (Miss Gay America 1977); Jacquelyn DeVaroe, Miss Gay USofA 1997 (Miss Gay America 1994); Lauren Taylor, Miss Gay USofA 1998 (Miss Gay America 1997); Alyssa Edwards, Miss Gay USofA 2006 (Miss Gay America 2010, though she was stripped of the title a few short months after winning the crown); Dominique Sanchez, Miss Gay USofA 2010 (Miss Gay America 2003); and, Luscious, Miss Gay USofA 2011 (Miss Gay America 2007).
List of Miss Gay USA and Miss Gay USofA Titleholders
The following is the list of the winners of the Miss Gay U.S.A. Pageant—then a complete change of ownership—Miss Gay USA winners 1986 through 1994 and Miss Gay USofA winners from 1995 through 2010:[2]
Former Miss Gay U.S.A.'s :
- 1979 - Naomi Sims. Crowned at Numbers in Houston, Texas from a field of 36 contestants that included Miss Gay America 1976, Michael Andrews (who was named First Runner-up to Naomi Sims - a twist of irony, since Naomi Sims was named First Runner-up to Michael Andrews at the 1976 MGA pageant.) Deceased.
- 1980 – Jahanau Reis, competing as Second Runner-up to Miss Gay USA - Texas, which was won by Sabrina Ross of Austin. First Runner-up Heather of Houston also competed in the national competition, which was held at Numbers once again. Runners-up to Miss Gay USA 1980 included Roskie Fernandez, Dena Jacobs and Sabrina Ross. Jahna later became famous as Jahna Steele, voted "Sexiest Showgirl on the Strip" in Las Vegas after transitioning to female - verified through her interview at www.carriefairfield.com DETHRONED – Deceased.
- 1980 & 1981 - Dena Jacobs accepted the title after Jauhna was dethroned.
- 1982 & 1983 – Eartha Kitt. Runners-up included Odessa Brown and Vonda DeLayne in the contest that was held at Austin Country Nightclub in Austin, TX. Deceased.
- 1984 & 1985 – Lisa King (Crowned in Atlanta, confirmed by thelisaking at aol.com and her interview on CarrieFairfield.com)
Former Miss Gay USA's :
- 1986 - Michael Andrews - from Houston, TX. Naomi Sims was named Miss Gay USA Emeritus during the competition, which was held at the Copa in Houston. Deceased
- 1987 – Diana Hutton – Deceased
- 1988 - Tommie Ross - from Dallas, TX
- 1989 - Netasha Edwards – from Indianapolis, IN - Deceased
- 1990 - Cezanne - Crowned in Atlanta, GA
- 1991 - Sable Chanel – from Johnson City, TN - Crowned in Dallas, TX - Retired
- 1992 - Tandi Andrews – from San Antonio, TX - Crowned in Dallas, TX - Deceased
- 1993 - Sweet Savage - from Dallas, TX - Crowned in Dallas, TX
- 1994 - Coco - from Dallas, TX - Deceased
Former Miss Gay USofA's :
- 1995 - Maya Douglas - from Dallas, TX - Crowned in the Indianapolis Civic Center in Indianapolis, IN
- 1996 - Natasha Richards - from Tampa, FL - Crowned in The Dallas Grand Hotel Ballroom in Dallas, TX
- 1997 - Jacquelyn DeVaroe - from Norman, OK - Crowned in The Dallas Grand Hotel Ballroom in Dallas, TX
- 1998 - Lauren Taylor – from Austin, TX - Crowned in The Dallas Grand Hotel Ballroom in Dallas, TX - Retired
- 1999 - Erica Andrews - from San Antonio, TX - Crowned in The Dallas Grand Hotel Ballroom in Dallas, TX
- 2000 - Chevelle Brooks - from Dallas, TX - Crowned in The Dallas Grand Hotel Ballroom in Dallas, TX
- 2001 - Erika Norell - from Orlando, FL - Crowned in The Dallas Market Center in Dallas, TX
- 2002 - Alexis Gabrielle Sherrington
- 2003 - Raquel Lord
- 2004 - Layla LaRue
- 2005 - Tamisha Iman
- 2006 - Alyssa Edwards
- 2007 - Asia O'Hara
- 2008 - Kara Young-Ross
- 2009 - Stasha Sanchez
- 2010 - Dominique Sanchez
- 2011 - Luscious
During the 1990s, the range and variety of drag pageantry continued to expand; however the "big three" pageant systems still dominated the market. New competitions with new requirements brought a wider variety of performers to drag pageantry. Contests for plus-sized, mature and African American female impersonators became popular. Today, drag pageants like Miss Gay USofA at Large, Miss Gay USofA Classic, Miss Continental Plus , Miss Continental Elite, and Miss Gay Black USofA demonstrate the expansion of both the USofA and Continental franchises.
As with most pageantry systems, drag pageants have been rocked with scandals over the years. Accusations of rigged contests, biased judging, and power struggles between local and national promoters resulted in the spin off of dozens of national female impersonation contests.
Pageants worldwide
Gay pageants are also very popular in the Philippine and Thailand; most local fiestas features one. Pageantry of all forms is deeply rooted in Filipino culture as a popular form of entertainment. Many Filipinos are fans of the extravagant Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss Earth pageants; this fascination extends logically to drag pageants.
Miss International Queen Pageant
Main article: Miss International QueenStriving to advance and support today’s transgender/transsexual, Miss International Queen™ Pageant offers great opportunities for transgender/transsexual from all over the world to present their individual beauty and intelligence in a friendly atmosphere.
The Miss International Queen Pageant in Pattaya City, Thailand, is produced and organized by The Tiffany's Show Pattaya Co., Ltd., the world's largest transvestite/transgender cabaret show and support by Tourism Authority of Thailand.
List of Miss International Queen Titleholders:
- 2004 - Treechada Petcharet (Thailand)
- 2005 - Mimi Marks (USA)
- 2006 - Erica Andrews (Mexico)
- 2007 - Tanyarat Jirapatpakon (Thailand)
- 2008 - no contest due to political unrest in Thailand
- 2009 - Ai Haruna (Japan)
- 2010 - Mini Han (Korea)
See also
- Drag (clothing)
- Drag queens
- Drag kings
- Faux queen
- List of transgender-related topics
- List of drag queens
References
- ^ "MGA Formers Source". Missgayamerica.com. http://www.missgayamerica.com/formers/formers.htm. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
- ^ USofA Formers Source
External links
Categories:
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
