Miss Gay America
| Motto | Where the boys are boys... and female impersonation is an art! |
|---|---|
| Type | Beauty pageant |
| Headquarters | Frederick, Maryland |
Owner | Mad Angel Entertainment, Michael Dutzer, Rob Mansman |
| Website |
www |
Miss Gay America is a national pageant for female impersonators. Established in 1972, the pageant is based on the Miss America contest and follows a similar format.[1]
Each year, contestants compete at various city, state, and direct regional preliminaries for the opportunity to advance to the official Miss Gay America pageant. Titleholders are often seen as the best in the industry and are frequently hired to entertain in a variety of venues, such as Las Vegas shows, cruise ships, and LGBT events.[2]
The Miss Gay America pageant system is the longest running pageant system for female impersonators. It is one of the four major pageant systems for the art form, in addition to Continental Pageantry, Gay USofA Pageantry, and Entertainer of the Year. Miss Gay America is unique in that it is the only national pageant that prohibits contestants from using female hormones or having undergone any feminizing plastic surgery, such as breast implants or liquid-silicone injections below the neck.[3]
The current Miss Gay America titleholder is Asia O'Hara. O'Hara is the 45th titleholder, crowned October 11, 2015.
The 2017 Miss Gay America Pageant is slated to begin Wednesday, October 5, 2016.
History
In 1971, Jerry Peek opened the Watch Your Hat & Coat Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville's first gay dance and show bar. Having an understanding of the female illusionist state pageants occurring in various show bars in other states, Peek decided to establish a national level pageant to further recognize the best entertainers. On June 25, 1972, the first pageant was held at Peek's Nashville saloon.[4] Norman Jones, performing as Norma Kristie, competed representing Arkansas and was crowned the winner of the 1973 pageant and emeritus titleholder of the Miss Gay America Pageant system. In 1975, Jones assumed ownership of the pageant and later formed Norma Kristie, Inc., operating and directing the Miss Gay America pageant and the Mr. Gay All-America Contest systems. In 2005, Norman Jones retired from the pageant's regular operations and sold the Miss Gay America pageantry system to Larry Tyger and Terry Eason of L&T Entertainment.[5]On February 4, 2016 Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman of Mad Angel Entertainment purchased the Miss Gay America pageant From L & T Entertainment.[6]
Qualification
Contestants for the national Miss Gay America pageant qualify through franchised state and direct regional preliminaries. The winner and first alternate of the preliminary contests advance to the national pageant. Many states require contestants to first compete in franchised city preliminaries, where the winner and first alternate advance to the state pageant.[7]
State and regional preliminaries
| List of active state and regional pageants[8] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | Emeritus Titleholder | Current Titleholder | First Alternate | Franchise Owner | Type |
| Miss Gay Arizona America | Tamara St. Duboise, 1985 | Tyra Marie, 2013 | Savannah Stevens, 2013 | Daniel Eckstrom | State |
| Miss Gay Arkansas America | Norma Kristie, 1972 & MGA 1973 | Brooklyn Bisette, 2013 | Eden Alive, 2013 | Arkansas Alumni Productions | State |
| Miss Gay Atlantic States America | Tatiyanna Voche', 2010 | LeQuitcha Rodriguez, 2013 | Sue Nami, 2013 | Minnier & Dudley | Regional |
| Miss Gay California America | Shannon Forrester, 1991 | Paju Monro, 2013 | Suzy Wong, 2014 | Robbie Wayne Productions | State |
| Miss Gay D.C. America | Brandi Dover, 1984 | Roxy Brooks, 2014 | Deva Station, 2014 | Cocker Productions, LLC | Regional |
| Miss Gay East Coast America | Jessica Jade, 2013 | Charity Saude, 2013 | Joseph Driscoll | Regional | |
| Miss Gay Florida America | Lori Del Mar, 1986 | Sharde' Ross, 2013 | Essence T. Van Cartier, 2013 | Dan Barris | State |
| Miss Gay Gulf States America | Patti La Plae Safe, 1994 | Jessica Raynes Starr, 2013 | Celebrity Starr, 2013 | David Green | Regional |
| Miss Gay Illinois America | Lady Baronessa, 1973 & MGA 1974 | Akasha Royale, 2014 | Kristen Dubo, 2014 | Curt Godier & Chad Johnson | State |
| Miss Gay Kansas America | Melinda Ryder, 1985 | Jade Sinclair, 2013 | Brown Sugar, 2013 | Vanna Vincent | Regional |
| Miss Gay Louisiana America | Tiffany Alexander, 1991 | Elizabeth DeLorean Divine, 2011 | David Green | State | |
| Miss Gay Maryland America | Staci Maxwell, 1985 | Sasha Renee, 2015 | Aryianna Myst, 2015 | Tom Marston | State |
| Miss Gay Mid-America | Tasha Kohl, 1984 & MGA 1985 | Suzy Wong, 2013 | Sasha Leigh Chambers, 2013 | L&T Entertainment | Regional |
| Miss Gay Mid-Atlantic | Vicki Vox, 1987 | Patti Lovelace, 2013 | Deva Station, 2013 | Believe Entertainment | Regional |
| Miss Gay Mid-West | Donna Drag, 1978 | Adria Andrews, 2015 | Jazelle Boyette, 2015 | Michael Rhinehart & Deejers Design | Regional |
| Miss Gay Missouri America | Julie Tomorrow, 1974 | Regina LaRae, 2016 | Miss Priscilla,2016 | Miss Gay Missouri Alumni Association | State |
| Miss Gay New York America | Cherry Pie, 1999 | (R), 2013 | (R), 2013 | Charles Iavarone | State |
| Miss Gay North Carolina America | Brandy Alexander, 1980 | Vivian Vaughn, 2015 | Lindsey Starr, 1st alt 2015 | Von Entertainment | State |
| Miss Gay Northeast America | Brandi Alexander, 1985 | LeQuitcha Rodriguez, 2014 | Patti Lovelace, 2013 | Brown & Kinnier | Regional |
| Miss Gay Oklahoma America | Trudy Tyler, 1978 | Bianca LeBlanc, 2013 | Alizay Zane Paige, 2013 | 8305 Production | State |
| Miss Gay Ohio America | Samantha, 1973 | Britney Blair, 2013 | Honey Below, 2013 | Believe Entertainment | State |
| Miss Gay Pennsylvania America | Danae Russo, 1991 | Georgia Versace Couture, 2013 | Victoria Robinson, 2013 | Stallions, Inc. | State |
| Miss Gay Southern Elegance America | Summer Holiday, 1993 | Dextaci, 2013 | Trixie Larue, 2013 | David Green | Regional |
| Miss Gay Southern States America | Blair Williams, 2014 | Myah Ross Monroe, 2014 | David Green | Regional | |
| Miss Gay Tennessee America | Ginger Roberts, 1977 | Venus Knight, 2013 | Jeffery Culbert | State | |
| Miss Gay Texas America | Jodie Lane, 1974 | Asia T. O'Hara, 2015 | Violet S'Arbleu, 2015 | The Star of KC Productions | State |
| Miss Gay Tri-States America | Francesca Wakeland, 1980 & MGA 1983 | Rhoda Horse, 2012 | Charity Saude, 2014 | Trent Thomas | Regional |
| Miss Gay West Virginia | Dina Jackson, 1986 | Chi Chi Ray Colby, 2015 | Jada Bee, 2014 | Dale Gish-Promoter | State |
| List of inactive state and regional pageants[9] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | Emeritus Titleholder | Current Titleholder | First Alternate | Franchise Owner | Type |
| Miss Gay Alabama America | Ashley Kruiz, 2006 | State | |||
| Miss Gay Alaska America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay Atlantic Coast America | Regional | ||||
| Miss Gay Blue Grass America | Regional | ||||
| Miss Gay Central States America | Celebrity Starr, 1997 | Nikki Stevens, 2009 | Regional | ||
| Miss Gay Colorado America | Nina Montaldo, 1980 | Dakota St. James, 2006 | Sache' (R), 2006 | State | |
| Miss Gay Delaware America | Mahogany, 1989 | Tisha Towers, 2009 | State | ||
| Miss Gay Delta States America | Loreal Chilane, 1999 | Regional | |||
| Miss Gay Eastern States America | Stephanie Lane | Araya Sparxx | Truly Fabu | Eric Gabbard and Michael Serio | Regional |
| Miss Gay Georgia America | Loreal Chilane, 1996 | Ginger Manchester (R, 2006) | Stephanie Lane (R), 2006 | State | |
| Miss Gay Great Lakes | Elaine St. Shotz, 1983 | Regional | |||
| Miss Gay Heart of America | Vicki Vincent, 1986 & MGA 1989 | Sally Sparkles, 2011 | Regional | ||
| Miss Gay Heartland America | Ashlyn Taylor, 2005 | Brionna Brooks, 2009 | Moltyn Decadence, 2009 | Regional | |
| Miss Gay Idaho America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay Indiana America | Amber Richards, 1978 | Erica King, 2005 | State | ||
| Miss Gay Iowa America | Sandra Truit, 1989 | Chanel Cavalier, 2006 | State | ||
| Miss Gay Kentucky America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay Keystone America | Regional | ||||
| Miss Gay Land of Enchantment America | Regional | ||||
| Miss Gay Las Vegas America | Regional | ||||
| Miss Gay Michigan America | Dani Daletto, 1975 & MGA 1976 | Trish Stevens, 1987 | State | ||
| Miss Gay Mid-East | Coti Collins, 2008 | Emory Starr, 2012 | Regional | ||
| Miss Gay Mid-South America | Regional | ||||
| Miss Gay Mississippi America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay Montana America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay Nevada America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay Nebraska America | 1986 | State | |||
| Miss Gay New Hampshire America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay New Jersey America | Robin Wayne, 1988 | Tyler Alyxander, 1990 | State | ||
| Miss Gay New Mexico America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay North Regional America | Regional | ||||
| Miss Gay North Dakota America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay Northern States America | Regional | ||||
| Miss Gay Northwest America | Regional | ||||
| Miss Gay Oregon America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay Rhode Island America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay Smokey Mountain America | Regional | ||||
| Miss Gay South Regional America | Michael Andrews,1976 | Kofi, 2013 | Morgan Woods | Rodney Seiler | Regional |
| Miss Gay South Carolina America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay South Dakota | State | ||||
| Miss Gay Southeast America | Emory Starr, 2011 | Jessica Deveraux, 2012 | Regional | ||
| Miss Gay Southwest America | Tasha Kohl, 1983 | Regional | |||
| Miss Gay Utah America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay Vermont America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay Virginia America | Melissa Lan, 1986 | Jazmen Diamond, 2012 | Limited Regional | ||
| Miss Gay Washington America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay Western States America | Truly Fabu, 1998 | Chantel Reshae, 2013 | Truly Fabu, 2013 | Regional | |
| Miss Gay Wisconsin America | State | ||||
| Miss Gay Wyoming America | State | ||||
Competition
Historically, pageant competition consisted of interview, evening gown and talent categories. Later a Contemporary Fashion category for sportswear was added. After about a decade it was changed to Creative Fashion, a category that was never fully understood by judges or contestants and was later changed to Creative Costume. It was eventually replaced with Solo Talent. While some of the contestants perform live vocal, dance or comedy skits, the vast majority showcase their talent of lip syncing to prerecorded music. Current categories are Male Interview, Solo Talent, Evening Gown, On-Stage Interview, and Talent.[10]
Currently, the national pageant consists of 3 nights of preliminary competition, where all contestants compete in male interview, solo talent, evening gown, and production talent. Awards for each night of these categories are presented on the 4th night of the pageant week during the official Miss Gay America Revue Show, where former titleholders return to entertain. The final competition night is held on the fifth night, typically at a larger and more formal venue, and the top 10 finalists are announced. These finalists then compete again in evening gown, stage interview, and production talent. At the end of the final pageant, the top four runners-up are announced and the winner is crowned.[11]
List of past winners
| Miss Gay America Winners | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Titleholder | Given Name | Crowning Venue | First Alternate | Second Alternate | Notes | |
| 1973 | Norma Kristie | Norman Jones | Watch Your Hat & Coat Saloon, Nashville, Tennessee | Charlie Brown | Genie Dee | As the first Miss Gay America titleholder, Norma Kristie holds the title of Miss Gay America Emeritus. In 1975, he assumed ownership of the pageant and ran it until his retirement in 2005. | |
| 1974 | Lady Baronessa | Carmel Santiago | The Glass Menagerie Nightclub, Nashville, Tennessee | Roski Fenandez | Billie Boots | Lady Baronessa's full name was "The Lady Baroness Maria Andrea Del Santiago". Lady Baronessa assisted in the operations of Norma Kristie, Inc. until his passing in 1992. | |
| 1975 | Shawn Luis | Shawn Ocampo | Atlanta Americana Hotel Ballroom, Atlanta, Georgia | Roski Fernandez | ? | ||
| 1976-A | Shan Covington | Shan Covington | The Depository Nightclub, Houston, Texas | Michael Andrews | Dani Daletto, Miss Gay Michigan America | Title revoked for unbecoming conduct. | |
| 1976-B | Dani Daletto | Jose Mondelano | Vapors Nightclub, Hot Springs, Arkansas | Dani Daletto was crowned in a special ceremony at the 1976 Miss Gay South Pageant held at Vapors Nightclub in Hot Springs, Arkansas. | |||
| 1977 | Michael Andrews | Michael Androlewicz | The Old Plantation Nightclub, Houston, Texas | Naomi Sims, Miss Gay Texas America | Shannon Forrester | Michael Andrews also held the 1986 emeritus title of Miss Gay USofA. Andrews has also appeared in a number of films.[12] | |
| 1978 | Jimi Dee | Jimmy Dillard | Machinist's Hall, St. Louis, Missouri | Hot Chocolate, Miss Gay Texas America | Lady Shawn | Jimi Dee was best known for his illusion of Diana Ross. | |
| 1979 | Rachel Wells[13] | John Greenwell | Fox Theater, Atlanta, Georgia | Hot Chocolate | Lady Shawn | ||
| 1980 | Hot Chocolate | Larry Edwards | Atlanta Convention Center, Atlanta, Georgia | Lady Shawn, Miss Gay Texas America | Dana Manchester | Hot Chocolate is known for his celebrity female impersonations of Tina Turner. He also appeared in the films "What's Love Got to Do With It" and "Miss Congeniality 2".[14] | |
| 1981 | Lady Shawn | Shawn Marshall | Masonic Temple, Detroit, Michigan | Genevieve Ryder, Miss Gay Missouri America | Jennifer Foxx | ||
| 1982 | Jennifer Foxx | Bobby Bruno | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas | Francesca Wakeland | Tasha Kohl | ||
| 1983 | Francesca Wakeland | Jon Meadows | Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, North Carolina | Naomi Sims, Miss Gay Southwest America | Tasha Kohl, Miss Gay Texas | ||
| 1984 | Tasha Kohl | Jerry Faulkner | Oklahoma City Convention Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Naomi Sims, Miss Gay South Regional America | Stella Starr, Miss Gay North Carolina America | Tasha Kohl is notable for his creative and eccentric costuming and performance choices. He has also held the title of Miss National Entertainer of the Year, 1991. | |
| 1985 | Naomi Sims | Newman S. Braud | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas | Fritz Capone, Miss Gay Kansas America | Melinda Ryder, Miss Gay Missouri America | Naomi Sims was known as the "eyes of Texas" and revered for his stellar dancing skills. Naomi also held the 1990 emeritus title to Miss National Entertainer of the Year, and 1985 National Female Impersonator of the Year. | |
| 1986 | Lauren Colby | Robb Robinson | Indianapolis Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana | Diana Black, Miss Gay Great Lakes America | Toni Lenoir, Miss Gay North Carolina | Lauren Colby has the unique distinction of having won Miss Gay America on his first attempt at the national crown. | |
| 1987 | Blaze Starr | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas | Cherry Lane, Second Alternate to Miss Gay Arkansas | Kelly Ray | |||
| 1988 | Cherry Lane | Michael Smothers | Fox Theater, Atlanta, Georgia | Rachel Masters | Valerie Lohr, Miss Gay Texas America | ||
| 1989 | Vicki Vincent | Roger Piatt | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas | Brandi Alexander, Miss Gay North Regional America | Sweet Savage, Miss Gay Texas America | ||
| 1990 | Brandi Alexander | Randy Fenoli | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas | Valerie Lohr, Miss Gay Midwest America | Tiffany Bonet | Randy Fenoli used his prize money to enroll in the Fashion Institute of Technology. He is currently the television host of Say Yes to the Dress. | |
| 1991 | Valerie Lohr | Gary Lytle | Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas | Coco, Miss Gay South Regional America | Tiffany Bonet | ||
| 1992 | Tiffany Bonet | Acey Hendricks | Majestic Theater, Dallas, Texas | Leslie Rage | Blair Williams, Miss Gay North Carolina America | ||
| 1993 | Leslie Rage | Leslie DeLaCruz | Majestic Theater, Dallas, Texas | Coco | Dieta Pepsi, Miss Gay Heart of America | Leslie Rage declined an opportunity to dance with Siegfried & Roy in Las Vegas in order to serve as Miss Gay America. | |
| 1994 | Jacqulyn DeVaroe | Darius Cordell Murphy | Majestic Theater, Dallas, Texas | Ramona LeGer' | Coppa LeMay | Jacqueline DeVaroe also held the title of Miss Gay USofA 1997. | |
| 1995-A | Ramona LeGer' | Louis Marcello | Majestic Theater, Dallas, Texas | Patti Le Plae Safe, Miss Gulf States America | Nicole Dubois, Miss Gay Southern Elegance America | Ramona LeGer' died 5 months into his reign due to complications from AIDS. | |
| 1995-B | Patti Le Plae Safe | Rodd Grey | Robinson Center Music Auditorium, Little Rock, Arkansas | Patti Le Plae Safe was crowned Miss Gay America 1995 in a special ceremony prior to the 1996 pageant in Little Rock, Arkansas. | |||
| 1996 | Kerri Nichols | Jeff Capell | Robinson Center Music Auditorium, Little Rock, Arkansas | Lauren Taylor, Miss Gay Texas America | Linda Carrero | ||
| 1997 | Lauren Taylor | Darrell Cantu | Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, North Carolina | Laken Edwards | Lana Eastman | Lauren Taylor also held the title of Miss Gay USofA 1998. | |
| 1998 | Maya Montana | Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, North Carolina | Linda Carrero, Miss Gay Mid-America | Lana Eastman | |||
| 1999 | Linda Carrero | Omar Reyes | Athena Theater, Little Rock, Arkansas | Kirby Colby, Miss Gay West Virginia America | Catia Lee Love | ||
| 2000 | Catia Lee Love | Aron Harvey | Lincoln Theater, Washington D.C. | Charity Case, Miss Gay Southern Elegance America | Kirby Kolby | Catia is also former Miss Gay Oklahoma America 1998, and Miss Gay USofA Classic 2011. | |
| 2001 | Charity Case | Marc Coleman | Athena Theater, Little Rock, Arkansas | Sabrina White | Dominique Sanchez | Charity Case is the longest competing Miss Gay America winner. He competed 14 times in various state and regional pageants between 1984 and 2001 before winning the Miss Gay America 2001 title. | |
| 2002 | Sabrina White | Russell Marcum | Dallas Convention Center-Dallas, Texas | Kitty Bob Aimes, Miss Gay Oklahoma America | Angela Dodd | ||
| 2003 | Dominique Sanchez | Chris Williams | Athena Theater-Little Rock, Arkansas | Jayda Alexander, Miss Gay Louisiana America | Angela Dodd | Dominique has also has held the titles of Miss Gay Arkansas America 1998 and Miss Gay USofA 2010. | |
| 2004 | Rachael Erikks | Athena Theater, Little Rock, Arkansas | Alana Steele, Miss Gay Indiana America | Truly Fabu | |||
| 2005 | Raquel Chevallier | Athena Theater, Little Rock, Arkansas | Alina Meletti, Miss Gay Florida America | Alyssa Edwards | |||
| 2006 | Nicole DuBois | Tommy Davis | Cannon Center, Memphis, Tennessee | Coti Collins, Miss Gay East Coast America | Victoria Parker | ||
| 2007 | Luscious | Cannon Center, Memphis, Tennessee | Coti Collins, Miss Gay North Carolina | Chantel Reshae | Luscious has also held the title of Miss Gay USofA 2011. | ||
| 2008 | Mikayla Kay | Josh Bolin | Holiday Inn Select Airport Grand Ballroom, Memphis, Tennessee | Layla Larue, Miss Gay Southern Elegance America | Victoria DePaula, Miss Gay Midwest America | ||
| 2009 | Victoria DePaula | Carl Glorioso | Millennium Hotel Grand Ballroom, St. Louis, Missouri | Chantel Reshae, Miss Gay East Coast America | Coti Collins, Miss Gay Mideast America | ||
| 2010-A | Alyssa Edwards[15] | Justin Johnson | Millennium Hotel Ballroom, St. Louis, Missouri | Coco Montrese, Miss Gay Heart of America | Jessica Jade, Miss Gay D.C. America | Title revoked due to unprofessionalism. | |
| MGA 2010-B | Coco Montrese | Martin Cooper | The Grey Fox Nightclub, St. Louis, Missouri | ||||
| MGA 2011 | Coti Collins | David Lowman | Lifestyles Pavilion Auditorium, Columbus, Ohio | Jessica Jade, Miss Gay Mid-East America | Chantel Reshae, Miss Gay Gulf States America | Coti Collins is the second longest competing Miss Gay America winner. | |
| MGA 2012 | Kirby Kolby | Capitol Theatre at the Riffe Center, Columbus, Ohio | Jessica Jade, Miss Gay Atlantic States | Jenna Skyy, Miss Gay Texas America | |||
| 2013 | Sally Sparkles | Michael Sharp | Sheraton Hotel Ballroom, Columbus, Ohio | Blair Williams, First Alternate to Miss Gay Mid-America | Jessica Jade, Miss Gay Southern Elegance America | Sally Sparkles was the first contestant to win the title Miss Gay America and Miss Congeniality the same year. | |
| 2014 | Jessica Jade | Billy Wilson | Millennium Hotel Ball Room, St. Louis, Missouri | Blair Williams, Miss Gay D.C. America | Krista Collins, Miss Gay Missouri America | ||
| 2015 | Blair Williams | Todd Mauldin | Millennium Hotel Ball Room, St. Louis, Missouri | Truly Fabu, Miss Gay Eastern States America, 1st Alternate | Kelly Ray, Miss Gay North Carolina America | ||
| 2016 | Asia T. O'Hara | Memphis, Tnennessee | Kelli Ray Shelton, Miss Gay Southeast America | Dextaci, Miss Gay Miss Gay Southern States America | Asia was the first to be crowned Miss Gay America on her first try since Lauren Colby. Asia is also a former Miss Gay USofA (2007) and All-American Goddess (2012) | ||
| 2017 | Suzy Wong | Arnold Myint |
|
Kelli Ray Shelton (Miss Heart of America) | Sofia Anderson (Miss Gay Texas America) | ||
Notable events
Shan Covington's title revocation
In 1976, Shan Covington's title was revoked 7 months into her reign for conduct unbecoming of a Miss Gay America titleholder. The title was offered to the 1976 First Alternate, Michael Andrews, who declined because she wanted to win the title. The title was then passed to the 1976 Second Alternate, Dani Daletto. This incident sparked the development of the current mandatory first alternate succession rules.
Showtime's Dream Boy's Revue
In 1985, titleholder Naomi Sims was also the crowned winner of the 1985 National Female Impersonator of the Year contest. That contest was organized by Norma Kristie, Inc., owner of the Miss Gay America pageant, but was created, produced and televised by the Showtime network in a television special called Dream Boy's Revue. The audience believed the pageant was real, but according to "finalist" Rachel Wells, the pageant was staged and each of the contestants were paid substantially to "compete." Additionally, the televised special faced issues with copyright infringement associated with certain lip syncing performances, which required much of the talent portion of the show to be dubbed when it was aired.
Death of titleholder Ramona LeGer'
In 1995, titleholder Ramona LeGer' died 5 months into her reign due to complications from AIDS. First Alternate Patti Le Plae Safe requested not to be crowned or wear the crown during the pageant year, instead serving as the official Miss Gay America Representative to honor Ramona LeGer's memory. Patti Le Plae Safe was crowned Miss Gay America 1995 in a special ceremony prior to the 1996 pageant in Little Rock, Arkansas. Patti donated large portions of her performance fees to AIDS charities while representing Miss Gay America 1995.
Alyssa Edwards' title revocation
In 2010, winner Alyssa Edwards had her title revoked due to scheduling conflicts with previous engagements and her Miss Gay America duties. The title was passed to the 2010 First Alternate, Coco Montrese, who was crowned in a special ceremony at The Grey Fox Nightclub in St. Louis, MO. Alyssa Edwards and Coco Montrese appeared as contestants in Season Five of RuPaul's Drag Race, where the 2010 Miss Gay America pageant issues and animosity between Alyssa and Coco played a central theme throughout the season. L&T Productions later released a statement about the dramatized events, explaining their reasons for revoking Alyssa's title and their lack of knowledge about how this issue would be portrayed in the television series. They had been approached by the producers to provide copyright clearance for both Alyssa's and Coco's official Miss Gay America photos.
Mr. Gay All-American
The Mr. Gay All-American Contest was founded by Norma Kristie, Inc. in 1983 by the operators of Miss Gay America, Norman Jones and Carmel Santiago (Lady Baronessa, Miss Gay America 1974). The MGAA Contest was started to provide a venue for gay men to showcase their intellect, community service, and talent. It launched careers in professional entertainment for many young gay men. MGAA was the first contest of its kind, and its winner was considered to be the co-titleholder to Miss Gay America.
In 1995, Jones sold the Mr. Gay All-American Contest to Gib Hauersperger, who had been the contest director since the death of Carmel Santiago. Hauersperger operated the pageant until his retirement in 1999. Paul Lopez (Mr. Gay All-American 2000) operated the contest from 1999 to 2003, when Richard Greer (Mr. Gay All-American 1999) assumed the directorial role. John Beebe (Mr. Gay All-American 1996) succeeded Greer as director. In 2009, Beebe and Hauersperger announced that the Mr. Gay All-American Contest system would cease operations indefinitely.[16]
| Mr. Gay All-American Titleholders | |
|---|---|
| Year | Titleholder |
| 1983, 1984 | Ron East |
| 1985 | Keith Mitchell |
| 1986 | Ered Matthew |
| 1987 | Medwin Johnson |
| 1988 | Brad Bemis |
| 1989 | Patrick Boyd |
| 1990 | Milo Masters |
| 1991 | TJ McKay |
| 1992 | John Michael Gordon |
| 1993 | EJ White |
| 1994 | David Pace |
| 1995 | John Reny |
| 1996 | John Martin Beebe |
| 1997 | Jonathan George |
| 1998 | Antonio Edwards |
| 1999 | Richard Greer |
| 2000 | Kristian Martinez |
| 2001 | Paul Lopez |
| 2002 | Ryan Davis |
| 2003 | Enrique Perez |
| 2004 | Dave Morgan |
| 2005 | Lucas Lander |
| 2006 | John Lucas |
| 2007 | Taz Bailey |
| 2008 | Sebastian Armonte |
| 2009 | Rasean Montrese |
In film
The 2008 documentary film Pageant presents a behind-the-scenes look at the 34th Miss Gay America pageant and some of the competitors, many of whom have since won the title of Miss Gay America.[17]
In 1982, Elizabeth Gracen, Miss America 1982, made her directorial debut with a documentary feature called The Damn Deal. The film is an intimate portrait of three female impersonators participating in the events surrounding the Miss Gay Little Rock Arkansas America pageant.[18]
References
- ↑ L&T Entertainment. "What is Miss Gay America?". Retrieved May 18, 2014.
- ↑ L&T Entertainment. "What is Miss Gay America?". Retrieved May 18, 2014.
- ↑ L&T Entertainment. "What is Miss Gay America?". Retrieved May 18, 2014.
- ↑ Margaret Ellis. "Miss Gay America Pageant: Battle for the Crown". Out and About Nashville.
- ↑ L&T Entertainment. "Miss Gay America: Pageant History". Retrieved May 16, 2014.
- ↑ http://www.nlgja.org/outnewswire/2016/02/08/miss-gay-america-pageant-sold-to-mad-angel-entertainment/. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ L&T Entertainment. "What is Miss Gay America?". Retrieved May 18, 2014.
- ↑ L&T Entertainment. "What is Miss Gay America?". Retrieved May 18, 2014.
- ↑ L&T Entertainment. "What is Miss Gay America?". Retrieved May 18, 2014.
- ↑ L&T Productions. "Miss Gay America Categories".
- ↑ L&T Productions. "Miss Gay America 2015 Schedule".
- ↑ "Internet Movie Database: Michael A. Andrews". Retrieved May 17, 2014.
- ↑ Greenwell, John. "Teased Hair & the Quest for Tiaras: The Story of Rachel Wells, Miss Gay America 1979.". Retrieved December 12, 2012.
- ↑ "Internet Movie Database".
- ↑ Hartwig, Gabe (2009-11-02). "50 contestants, 4 days, 1 Miss Gay America". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
- ↑ CarrieFairfield.com Forums. "Mr. Gay All-American 1983-2009".
- ↑ Lee, Nathan (2008-12-25). "There She Is, Miss ... Well, Actually, It's Mr.". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
- ↑ thesmokingpen.co.uk. "The Smoking Pen: Elizabeth Gracen".