The Big Heart of Miss Gay America: Pageant Owners Announce Creation Charitable Foundation to Mentor, Benefit LGBTQ Youth

For the world’s longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition, it’s much more than drag race.  

Revered drag pageant launches 

Miss Gay America Excellence Foundation

This summer, Miss Gay America owners Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman donated $5000 to Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation--and made her the first ever honorary Miss Gay America! Now they've launched their own charitable organization, the Miss Gay America Foundation.

For the world’s longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition, it’s much more than drag race.  

Revered drag pageant launches 

Miss Gay America Excellence Foundation

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(New York, NY) December 18, 2017–Since the founding of the Miss Gay America pageant in Nashville back in 1972–37 years before “RuPaul’s Drag Race”–giving has always played a key role in the legacy of the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition.  Living up to the pageant’s motto to “Be Excellent,” over the years, Miss Gay America titleholders have donated millions of dollars to a variety of charitable organizations across the U.S.  Heralding the arrival of the 2017 holiday season, the Miss Gay America pageant co-owners Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman are proud to announce the launch of the Miss Gay America Excellence Foundation.

“We are forming the MGA Excellence Foundation to mentor LGBTQ youth and work with youth centers to provide supportive, self-affirming, highly positive experiences,” says foundation co-founder Mansman.

(l-r) Miss Gay America pageant owners and founders of the Miss Gay America Foundation, Michael Dutzer, Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station of Columbus, OH, and Rob Mansman.  Photo by BJKJ Illusions.

“Most of the people in the Miss Gay America organization can relate to growing up being bullied or being different. We've all faced rejection and struggled to find ourselves,” says foundation co-founder Michael Dutzer.  

“As we tour the country for nearly two-dozen preliminary state and regional pageants throughout the year, we want to reach out and offer support to youth centers in areas we visit in any way we can–from donations, to fundraising to motivational personal appearances by our titleholders,” explains Mansman. “Eventually we would like to raise enough money to issue grants to youth organizations and provide scholarships,” he says.  

Miss Gay America Excellence Foundation 

www.mgaexcellencefoundation.org   

More on the history of giving by the Miss Gay America pageant below.

PRESS RELEASE: Miss Gay America Pageant Owners to Open Hamburger Mary’s St. Louis

Hamburger Mary's St. Louis cast of entertainers: (Top row) Alexis Principle (St. Louis), opening night special guest Deva Station (Columbus), Krista Versace (St. Louis). (Bottom row) Nina DiAngelo (Minneapolis), Sabrina White (Baltimore), Tiffany T. Hunter (St. Louis)

(St. Louis, MO) November 27, 2017 – Those lucky enough to live in the St. Louis area will be thrilled to know that Hamburger Mary’s, their beloved drag themed restaurant and supper club, will be returning this January with new owners in an all-new location with a superstar line-up of drag queen entertainers.  

For those unfamiliar, Hamburger Mary's bills itself as, “an open air restaurant for the open minded. Everyone is welcome and nowhere else in the city can you see people from all walks of life gathering to watch a drag show, sing a showtune, play Charity Bingo or test their knowledge with some Double Trouble Trivia.”  

When it comes to drag, no one does it better than the Miss Gay America pageant–since 1972, the world’s first, longest running, and most prestigious female impersonator competition–so who better to take on the Hamburger Mary’s St. Louis franchise than pageant owners, Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman (left) along with St. Louisan partner and manager, David Pardue.   

Miss Gay America Lookin' Good in the Media! Some Recent Press Clippings

Miss Gay America has been in the press lately due to a combination of publicity efforts and smart editors, proud and pushy MGA owners (Hello, Gaga!), and MGA-loving editors like Echo Magazine's KJ Philp and writer Buddy Early. Click on the links below to read the stories (listed in no particular order, but in the order of the images above):

Vice.com
Logo TV's blog, NewNowNext
The WOW Report, blog for World of Wonder, producers of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”
Hornet dating app blog, Stories
Nola.com (website for the Times-Picayune newspaper in New Orleans)
BOOM
Nola.com again!
Gay Times, the UK’s #1 gay magazine
OutSmart Magazine, Houston’s great gay magazine
Out & About Nashville
Columbus Alive, the alternative weekly in Columbus, OH
Echo Magazine, Phoenix’s gay mag, did a huge feature

For the latest, please follow Miss Gay America on Facebook.

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THE MGAZINE INTERVIEW: Meet Your Newly Crowned Miss Gay America 2018, Deva Station!

Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station. MGAZINE cover photo by Andrew Blackwell.

Though cut short by a day due to the rapidly approaching Hurricane Nate, the 45th annual Miss Gay America pageant held at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans from October 4 – 6 was, by all accounts, was a screaming success.

Forty-one contestants from across the U.S. traveled to the Big Easy to compete, many with dressers, make-up artists, back-up dancers, and trailers full of sets and props in tow.   For three days a panel of five judges in four categories judged the contestants: Male Interview, Presentation (in outfits to reflect this year’s “Le Cirque MGA” theme), Evening Gown and Talent (big production number).

By the final night, the competition was down to the top ten, out of which an elite group of five titleholders were chosen.  The top then each put on dynamite Las Vega’s style floorshow numbers–all to a thunderous, standing ovations from the audience–followed by the Evening Gown completion, after which the top five were announced. Following  On-Stage Interview and a final performance by Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong, the winners were announced.

Herewith the Miss Gay America 2018 titleholders:
Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station (Columbus, OH)
Miss Gay America 2018 First Alternate Brooke Lynn Hytes (Nashville, TN)
Miss Gay America 2018 Second Alternate Kelly Ray (Durham, NC)
Miss Gay America 2018 Third Alternate Dessie Love Blake (Houston, TX)
Miss Gay America 2018 Fourth Alternate Mary Nolan (Columbus, OH)

Now, meet your newly crowned Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station, as she answer 7 quick questions:

Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station. Photo by BjKj Illusions

1 How did you get started, when did you first do in female impersonation?  

I actually started female impersonation much later in life than most. I had always enjoyed watching, and had danced in pageants for many queens, but my work schedule was evenings and weekends with a lot of travel, so I didn’t have the proper time to commit to performing.

Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station "Talent" category competition performance. 

Photo by Deejers Designs

MISS GAY AMERICA Photographer Scotty Kirby Picks His Top 10 Drag Photos, Chats with MGAZINE

Scotty Kirby & The Kirbygirls

In anticipation of Miss Gay America 2018, we wanted to feature two of the Miss Gay America pageant's favorite photographers. Here you'll meet Scotty Kirby. Click here to meet equally beloved, Kristofer Reynolds.

Miss Gay America 2018 happens this week (!) and with comes the return of a new Miss Gay America tradition, the Miss Photogenic competition. For it, contestants who wish to participate submit their best publicity photo to be judged by a panel of former Miss Gay America titleholders on beauty, creativity and expression. The winner will be announced during the pageant.

One man working overtime to make the deadline, is Phoenix based drag photographer, Scotty Kirby. Though he's tried the rest--weddings, men, women, editorial--for Kirby, drag's the best, and it shows in his superglam gagalicious drag queen photography.

Scotty Kirby

For MGAZINE, Scotty Kirby plucked 10 of his favorite drag queen photos and answered 5 quick questions. Herewith, the photos, in no particularly order (who can pick favorite?!), and a chat with Scotty.

Lady Gaga Crowned Honorary MISS GAY AMERICA

Photo credit: Courtesy of the Miss Gay America pageant.

Backstage before her recent September 10 concert in Philadelphia, married Miss Gay America pageant owners Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman presented Lady Gaga with a Miss Gay America crown, making her the first ever honorary Miss Gay America in the pageant’s 45 year history.

“We love Gaga for all she’s done for the LGBTQ community,” they said, “Especially our youth, so we thought this would be a great way to honor her for championing self-acceptance, diversity and the beauty in everyone’s mirror."

When told that she was not only the first honorary Miss Gay America, but also the first without a penis, Gaga saucily quipped, “How do you know I don’t have a penis?”

Along with the crown, the Miss Gay America owners also presented Gaga with a $5000.00 donation to her Born This Way Foundation.

Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before “RuPaul’s Drag Race”–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition.

Miss Gay America 2018 happens this week, October 4 – 7, 2017 at the New Orleans Hyatt, where forty contestants from across the U.S. will compete for the Miss Gay America crown. www.missgayamerica.com •

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MISS GAY AMERICA Photographer Kristofer Reynolds Picks His Top 10 Drag Photos, Chats with MGAZINE

Kristofer Reynolds with Miss Gay America 2016 Asia T. O'Hara

In anticipation of Miss Gay America 2018, we wanted to feature two of the Miss Gay America pageant's favorite photographers. First up is Kristofer Reynolds followed by equally beloved, Scotty Kirby.

With Miss Gay America 2018 kicking off a week from today, girls are checking off their prep lists with a vengeance. And what's at the top of that list? Photos, honey. You can have the best look in town, but if your photos are crap, you might as well leave the gown in the closet and the jewels in the box. One man who's been making Miss Gay America titleholders and contestants shine like the stars they are is San Diego based photographer, trainer, hunk and sweetie, Kristofer Reynolds.

Kristofer Reynolds

Kristofer took time out from his busy schedule to answer 5 quick questions and share his 10 favorite photos (in no particular order) with MGAZINE.

SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY: The Cost of Drag – From Wig to Face to Heels, MISS GAY TEXAS AMERICA 2017 Violet S'Arbleu Breaks it Down

We originally put this post together pre-Hurricane Harvey, which as we all know, devastated Houston, home to our newly crowned Miss Gay Texas America 2017 Violet S'Arbleu. 

Though spared any personal or property damage due to Hurricane Harvey, in the immediate aftermath, she was deeply shaken, and said at the time, "I'm OK. My spot is blissfully dry for some unknown heavenly reason, but I've been so distraught trapped in my house watching the news. So many people and such suffering. It's put my life on hold too, but I'm dry and safe (knock wood) so that's all I can hope for right now."  

Holed up at home, Violet stayed in touch with friends and her MGA family via social media and posted videos of herself running up a cute new gown on Facebook.  

Violet recently donated $15 from the profits of each "Hearts With Houston" T-shirt sold to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. She says, "I dedicated my first-ever merchandise item to raise funds for my struggling neighbors and friends. Thank you to everyone who bought a T-shirt!" 

Voilet is featured in this month's issue of Houston's OutSmart magazine, just did a hilarious interview about the cost drag on the drag-loving "Feast of Fun" podcast, and this very post was reposted on the World of Wonder (producers of RuPaul's Drag Race) blog, The WOW Report.

Now, from the Tumblr page of the recently crowned Miss Gay Texas America 2017 Violet S'Arbleu, this fascinating post on the costs of drag--financial, physical, temporal and a few wise words on life as a drag queen. Violet, the stage is yours...

Miss Gay Texas America 2017 Violet S'Arbleu by Michael Andrew Voight

Drag is EXPENSIVE. Trying to do it on a dime, while admirable, is virtually impossible. Shaved legs,  a leotard, and a wig will still cost you a solid $50. You throw some makeup in there and a decent pair of shoes and you’ve passed $100.

And if you’re in an amateur contest, the only money you can expect to get is given to you one dollar at a time by a critical crowd who just saw the latest runway looks on RuPaul’s Drag Race. That’s a high bar to match, and it’s almost impossible to turn a profit on your first outings.

The easiest way to present this information is to break down what everything costs, and of course the only person whose budget I know to the dime is my own. So, perhaps it’s the wrong choice or too much information, but I’m going to be completely honest with you guys about exactly what it costs to create one Violet S’Arbleu.

However, I’m going to be a LITTLE reserved and only give you low estimates for how much things actually cost. 

One appearance costs $650 in supplies. My usual Friday show takes over $1000 to put on. And these are CHEAP estimates. Ready for the breakdown? Get out your grocery lists, because if you want to make your own Violet S’Arbleu at home, you’re going to need to pick up a few things.

LIFE AFTER THE REIGN: A Chat with the Dazzling Miss Gay America 2016 ASIA O'HARA

As we approach Miss Gay America 2018 and we wanted to take a look back and check in with Miss Gay America 2016 Asia O'Hara to ask what life's been like, post reign. Herewith, a quick five questions with the inimitable Miss Asia O'Hara.

Photos of Miss Gay America 2016 Asia O'Hara by Kristofer Reynolds

1 It’s been nearly a year since your step-down from being Miss Gay America. Emotional night, tears, what was going through your mind that night, during your last performance as Miss Gay America?

You spend the entire year trying to sell preliminaries, inspire contestants, impress the audiences, and gain the respect of everyone you encounter.  But, in those final moments, you realize what truly matters.  You look out over the crowd at all the people whom you have met and grown to love, and you realize that is what really matters. The friendships you make and the relationships you build during your reign are second to none.

2 What was the first thing you did after you got home and unpacked?

I slept for about a week! After that, I went hiking with my dog (Chloe), caught up with friends that I had not had the chance to spend time with, and started planning the next chapter of my career.

5 Questions with MISS GAY ARKANSAS AMERICA Charmay M. Cassidine in Anticipation of the Annual Miss Gay Arkansas America Pageant August 11-12, 2017 at Triniti and Discovery Nightclubs in Little Rock

From August 11-12, 2017, Triniti and Discovery nightclubs in Little Rock will be the setting for Miss Gay Arkansas America, a state preliminary competition for the 45th annual Miss Gay America Pageant.

Miss Gay America was founded in 1972 in Nashville, 37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race." Miss Gay Arkansas America was also established in 1972 and is in its 45th year of competition, making it the oldest and the most prestigious preliminary in the Miss Gay America pageant system.

The evening's theme will be "Dynasty: The Legacy Lives". For the Presentation category, contestants will be asked to interpret the theme, in their gown, costume and look.

Six contestants from regional preliminaries around the state will compete in five categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).

The pageant will honor the current Miss Gay Arkansas America 2016 Charnay M. Cassadine, of Little Rock, and feature Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong, of Nashville and Palm Springs.

Meet your reigning Miss Gay Arkansas America 2016, Charnay M. Cassadine, as she answers five questions in anticipation of her step-down and the passing on of the crown to Miss Gay Arkansas 2017 on August 12:

1 How did you get started, when did you first do in female impersonation?  

My first venture into the art of female impersonation was in the summer of 1997 in a Turn About Show. It was at a club named City Lights in Jackson, Mississippi. I performed NOW THAT YOU'RE GONE by Martha Wash. 

A Great Slideshow from the Miss Gay New York America Pageant, July 24 in New York City

Check out this great slideshow from Monday night's Miss Gay New York America pageant on the Edge Media Network by Gustavo Monroy. Above, Kelly Ray during her Talent number. Later that evening she was crowned Miss Gay New York America 2017. First Alternate is the fab Champagne Bubbles of New York City. We'll see you both at Miss Gay America in New Orleans! Check out the photo here.

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20 Years Later, Former MISS AMERICA Elizabeth Gracen Talks About “THE DAMN DEAL” Her Captivating Documentary on Drag and the MISS GAY AMERICA Pageant

Elizabeth Gracen. Photo: Emma Bogren

"My brother was a huge football star and now with me in competition in pageants, that’s my football –that’s me being a football star. I’m just a beautiful football star.”  –  Spencer May/Kelly Cruise, Miss Gay Arkansas America 1993, from “The Damn Deal” (1997) 

In 1997, filmmaker, writer and former Miss Arkansas and Miss America, Elizabeth Gracen, interviewed three young female impersonators who competed in the Miss Gay America Pageant system for her captivating, beautifully filmed black-and-white documentary “The Damn Deal” (Flapper Films). The recovered, original footage, now restored, explores gender, identity and what it was like to grow up gay in the South at the end of the 20th century.  

Crowned Miss Arkansas 1981 and Miss America 1982, Gracen (Elizabeth Ward at the time) went on to study acting, pose on the cover of Playboy, star (as Amanda) in the Nineties TV series “Highlander,” and established her own film production company (Flapper Films) and boutique publishing company (Flapper Press). She recently filmed actress Lee Meriweather for a documentary short and in March released her first Young Adult fantasy novel, “Shallily.” Below, Gracen talks about the making of “The Damn Deal.”

DALLAS MORNING NEWS feature on MISS GAY TEXAS AMERICA: "Inside the Miss Gay Texas America pageant in Dallas, land of sisterhood and sparkles"

Once again Guide Live, the entertainment website from The Dallas Morning News–the biggest newspaper in Texas–has done a great feature on the Miss Gay Texas America pageant. See the July 25th feature here and see last year's story here. Please enjoy, share and blab about it to your friends!

It’s an hour to showtime, and wigs, sequins and high heels are scattered around the dressing room. Men find their sparkling evening gowns and gather around mirrors propped against walls. "I need help getting a sister into a corset over here!" calls one assistant, while Gizelle, the backstage coordinator, reminds: "20 minutes til top 12!"...continue reading here.

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5 Questions with MISS GAY TEXAS AMERICA Sofia Anderson In Anticipation of the Annual Miss Gay Texas America Pageant July 18-21 at The Rose Room, Dallas

Miss Gay Texas America 2016 Sofia Anderson. Photo: Juan Salazar for Timeless Studios.

From July 18-21, 2017, The Rose Room in Dallas will be the setting for Miss Gay Texas America, a state preliminary competition for the 45th annual Miss Gay America Pageant.

Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition.

Miss Gay Texas America was established in 1974 and is in its 44th year of competition, making it one of the oldest and largest preliminary pageants in the country.

The pageant will honor the current Miss Gay Texas America 2016 Sofia Anderson, of Brownsville, and feature Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong, of Nashville and Palm Springs.

The evening's theme will be "Queens on Fire". For the Presentation category, contestants will be asked to interpret the theme, in their gown, costume and look.

Nearly 40 contestants from 22 regional preliminaries around the state will compete in five categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).

Miss Gay Texas America is Sofia Anderson, aka Alfonso "Poncho" Medina, is originally from Monterrey Mexico, now a citizen of the US, still learning English, owns his own salon in the Valley (southern tip of Texas), and supports his mother in Mexico. His drag esthetic evolved out of Mexican circuit party style and favors drama and wild, over-the-top illusions.

Meet your reigning Miss Gay Texas America 2016, Sofia Anderson, as she answers five questions in anticipation of her step-down and the passing on of the crown to Miss Gay Texas 2017 on July 21:  

1 How did you get started, when did you first do in female impersonation?

I have always had a passion for the stage, as a child I always wanted to be a star—a celebrity. And Sofia has that passion running in her veins. 17 years later, I still get goosebumps when I take the stage. It's a feeling that I can't put into words.

VIDEO: The Crowning of Miss Gay Ohio 2017 VALERIE TAYLOR

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The New Miss Gay Arizona America OLIVIA GARDENS featured on Filipino-American News Website

Check out this great story about our new Miss Gay Arizona America Olivia Gardens as featured on the Filipino-American news website, Balitang America.

About winning, Olivia told ABS-CBN News reporter Gerald Bohulano, “It’s been a dream of mine since I’ve started seven years ago, and so to have been selected this year, having put in the work and the effort to prepare my competition package… it was really quite overwhelming.”

Read the full story here and see some great photos of Olivia on the night of her win here.

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Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong and the Mr. Gay America Contestants

Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong with the Mr. Gay America 2017 contestants. Read this great Dallas Voice interview with Miss Gay America owners Rob Mansman and Michael Dutzer on the return of Mr. Gay America.

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Your Mr. Gay America 2017 Kyle Ean!

More photos via the Mr. Gay America website here.

5 Questions with MISS GAY OHIO AMERICA Mary Nolan In Anticipation of the Annual Miss Gay Ohio America Pageant July 8-9, 2017 at Axis Nightclub in Columbus

From July 8-9, 2017, Axis Nightclub in Columbus will be the setting for Miss Gay Ohio America, a state preliminary competition for the 45th annual Miss Gay America Pageant.

Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition. The Miss Gay Ohio America pageant began in 1973 and is now in its 45th year.

The evening's theme will be "Ohio is Burning". For the Presentation category, contestants will be asked interpret the theme, in their gown, costume and look.

Nearly a dozen contestants from preliminaries in Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton will compete in five categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).

The pageant will honor the current Miss Gay Ohio America 2016 Mary Nolan, of Columbus, and feature Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong, of Nashville and Palm Springs.

If you live in the Columbus area, you can catch Mary Nolan every every Friday night at AWOL in "Mary Nolan's Commissary" and every Saturday and Sunday at Boscoe's.   Meet your reigning Miss Gay Ohio America 2016, Mary Nolan, as she answers five questions in anticipation of her step-down and the passing on of the crown to Miss Gay Ohio America 2017 on June 25:

1 How did you get started, when did you first do in female impersonation?  

I got started doing female impersonation in 2008. It wasn't pretty and it was rough! I had been around several extremely talented entertainers for some time and even danced at national pageants and large-scale production shows, but never taken the leap to be my own “brand.”

Miss Gay America Pageant Owners Rob Mansman and Michael Dutzer featured in the Dallas Voice in Anticipation of Mr. Gay America (July 2)

Read the online version of the article here.

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Presenting the Miss Gay America 2017 Royal Court

Photo details after the jump.

As you can imagine, our Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong is a very busy girl, but she took time out last weekend to hang with the Top 5 winners from Miss Gay America 2017, anticipate this year's Miss Gay America pageant in October, and put together an amazing photo shoot. From her pen...

"Last weekend we had an MGA 2017 Top Five retreat weekend. We rented a house, did shows, watched movies, cooked (well, I did), attended Miss Gay Arizona 2017 and squeezed in a little photo shoot. It was very special, definitely a highlight of my year. I'm glad we had this moment to celebrate each other. The theme for AZ was "Bond" in different context, we did just that. 

Take a Peek Inside the Gorgeous Mr. Gay America (July 2) Program

Click here to view the program.

Meet the Mr. Gay America 2017 Contestants

The evolution of a new era continues in 2017 as the men from Mr. Gay All-American join the Miss Gay America family–as Mr Gay America–on July 2nd at The Rose Room in Dallas, TX.

Ten contestants from across the country will compete for the title of Mr Gay America 2017. (The Rose Room is home to Miss Gay America 2016 Asia O'Hara.) For more ticket information, please visit MGATickets.com

July 2, 2017

10 PM
The Rose Room at S4
3911 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, TX 75219
Tickets at MGATickets.com

A Little Mr. Gay All-American History 
Mr. Gay America is the welcome reincarnation of the Mr. Gay All-American pageant, which originally ran from 1983 - 2009 and was created in 1983 by Norman Jones aka (the first) Miss Gay America 1973 Norma Kristie, who owned the Miss Gay America pageant system from 1975 - 2005. See the Mr. Gay America poster and photo of Mr. Gay All-American 1985 Keith Mitchell, after the jump.

Miss Gay Arizona 2017 Pageant Slideshow featured on Arizona Republic Newspaper Website

Once again Phoenix's newspaper of record The Arizona Republic featured a great slideshow of on-stage and behind-the-scenes images from the June 25 Miss Gay Arizona America pageant. See the full slideshow of photos by Lauren Townsley here. And see last year's slideshow here.

Above, that's Savannah Stevens as she cries during her last performance as Miss Gay Arizona America.

VIDEO: The Crowning of Miss Gay Tennessee 2017 BARBRA SEVILLE

VIDEO: The Crowning of Miss Gay Western States 2017 Savannah Stevens

VIDEO: Miss Gay America Suzy Wong Congratulates Miss Gay USofA 2016 Aurora Sexton on Her Amazing Reign

5 Questions with MISS GAY ARIZONA AMERICA 2016 SAVANNAH STEVENS in Anticipation of the Annual Miss Gay Arizona America 2017 Pageant June 25 in Phoenix

Miss Gay Arizona America 2015 Nevaeh McKenzie with the freshly crowned Miss Gay Arizona America 2016 Savannah Stevens at last year's Miss Gay Arizona America pageant. Photo by Alexandra Gaspar. From the Phoenix New Times slideshow, "Inside the 2016 Miss Gay Arizona America Pageant".

On Sunday, June 25, 2017, the Tempe Center for the Arts will be the setting for Miss Gay Arizona America, a state preliminary competition for the 45th annual Miss Gay America Pageant.  

Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition. 

The Miss Gay Arizona America pageant began in 1986, is now in its 31st year, and last year claimed its third Miss Gay America “Best Overall Preliminary” Award.  

The pageant will honor the current Miss Gay Arizona America 2016 Savannah Stevens, of Phoenix, and feature Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong, of Nashville and Palm Springs.  

Ten contestants from cities across the state including Phoenix, Tucson, Casa Grande and Flagstaff will compete in five categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).  

The evening's theme will be "Bond: Excellence is Forever". For the Presentation category, contestants will be asked to impersonate their favorite Bond spy/villan. The Forever Miss Gay Americas (former national title holders) are encouraged to dress as "Bond Girls".  

The Miss Gay Arizona America pageant will set the 2017 state winner and alternate on a path to compete for the title of Miss Gay America 2018 in New Orleans this October.   

If you live in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, you can catch Savannah Stevens every Friday at BS West performing in the “Elements” drag show, hosting Drag Bingo night at Desoto Central Market, and performing throughout the valley in both Phoenix and Tucson.  

Meet your reigning Miss Gay Arizona America 2016, Savannah Stevens, as she answers five questions in anticipation of her step-down and the passing on of the crown to Miss Gay Arizona America 2017 on June 25:  

 All photos of  Miss Gay Arizona America 2016 Savannah Stevens by Scotty Kirby Photography

1 How did you get started, when did you first do in female impersonation?  

Having been involved in theater in high school and being cast in three separate roles in one musical, my passion for the performing arts was ignited. At 20 I went to my first drag show at Pookie’s in Phoenix (one of the best show places here in Phoenix, It wasn’t just a bar, but a dinner theater). The very first drag queens I ever saw were Barbra Seville, who was a former Miss Gay Arizona and Phaedra, who was the reigning Miss Gay Arizona at the time. You get to put on some makeup, a wig, a dress and heels and parade around acting out the words to other people’s music? Absolutely! Oh my goodness! I need to do this!

VIDEO: The Crowning of Miss Gay Maryland 2017 Eva Couture

5 Questions with MISS GAY MARYLAND AMERICA 2016 REBECCA BLAQUEOUT in Anticipation of the Annual Miss Gay Maryland America 2017 Pageant April 22 in Baltimore

On April 22, 2017, the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore will be the setting for Miss Gay Maryland America, a state preliminary competition for the 45th Miss Gay America Pageant.  

Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition. The Miss Gay Maryland America began in 1985 and is now in its 32nd year. (See the Baltimore Sun slideshow from Miss Gay Baltimore 2016 here.)

The pageant will honor the current Miss Gay Maryland America 2016 Rebecca Blaqueout, from Baltimore, and feature Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong, of Nashville. 

The evening's theme will be the "Alice in Wonderland" Tea Party scene, as seen in the 1951 “Alice in Wonderland” movie by Walt Disney. The catch: costumes are not to be a main character from the movie or story, but a Tea Party guest! See the rules at www.missgaymarylandamerica.com. 

Nearly a dozen contestants from across the state will compete in five categories: Male Interview, Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, Talent (fully produced stage production; sets, dancers, permitted), On Stage Interview. 

The Miss Maryland America pageant will set the 2017 state winner and alternate on a path to compete for the title of Miss Gay America 2018 in New Orleans this October. 

Meet your reigning Miss Gay Maryland America 2016, Rebecca Blaqeout, as she answers five questions in anticipation of her step-down and the passing on of the crown to Miss Gay Maryland 2017 on April 22: 

1 How did you get started, when did you first do in female impersonation?

I got started as a backup dancer for a contestant for Miss Gay Maryland, who then went on to Miss Gay America. I loved backup dancing, but I had an inkling that I wanted to be in the spotlight, and not in the chorus line. Well, one night (actually, it was the Black Party on Black Friday in November of 2013) I had two friends, Lola Mein and Kelly Kox, who were getting ready to go out in drag. I had always wanted to see what it was like to be in drag (and wondered if I was even pretty), so my friends did my hair, makeup, and borrowed some outfits. 

5 Questions with MISS GAY MISSOURI AMERICA 2016 REGINA LA-RAE in Anticipation of the Annual Miss Gay Missouri America 2017 Pageant April 6-8 in St. Louis

From April 6-8, 2017, the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis will be the setting for Miss Gay Missouri America, a state preliminary competition for the 45th Miss Gay America Pageant.

Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition. The Miss Gay Missouri America began in 1974 and now in its 43rd year, remains one of the oldest preliminaries in the Miss Gay America pageant system. 

The pageant will honor the current Miss Gay Missouri America 2016 Regina La-Rae, from Kansas City, and feature Miss Gay America 2017 Suzy Wong, of Nashville.

The evening's theme will be "Comic-Con", a reflection of Regina La-Rae (Kory Burch) and her partner's passion and business (Saint's Customs) creating high quality costumes for fans participating in Comic Con events across the country.

Twenty-two contestants from across the state will compete in four rigorously judged categories for the Miss Gay Heart of America crown: Male Interview, Evening Gown, On-Stage Interview, and Talent (big production number).

The Miss Missouri America pageant will set the 2017 state winner and alternate on a path to compete for the title of Miss Gay America 2018 in New Orleans this October.

Meet your reigning Miss Gay Missouri America 2016, Regina La-Rae, as she answers five questions in anticipation of her step-down and the passing on of the crown to Miss Gay Missouri 2017 on April 8:

1 When and why did you start competing in Miss Gay America? 
I was a regular at Missie B's here in Kansas City and would make it to every Monday show. The glamour drew me in. When I met Tajma Stetson, I told her I had an interest in getting started. She helped me by making my first set of hip-pads and spending days at my house watching make-up tutorials on YouTube. The host at the time saw me and would not put me on stage until I had a name, and that was when Regina La-Rae was born.

VIDEO: The Crowning of Miss Gay North East America Desi Love Blake

The Miss Gay America Pageant presents The 5 Best Documentaries About The Art of Female Impersonation

Above: Still of former Miss Gay Arkansas 1993 Kelly Cruise (Spencer May) as he appears in  "The Damn Deal," the documentary by former Miss America, Elizabeth Gracen.

Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition. The 45th Miss Gay America Pageant season kicked off in March with the Miss Gay Heart of America pageant in Columbus, OH. It was the first of nearly two-dozen preliminaries happening across the country, each of which will send a winner and alternate to the Miss Gay America nationals in New Orleans this October.  (Click here to find a Miss Gay America preliminary near you.)

In celebration of its 45th year, the Miss Gay America Pageant invites you to get your Drag History 101 on with 5 of the best documentary films ever made on female impersonation pageants.Many of the films are now available on gay-centric streaming service Dekkoo.com.
"The Queen," featuring the legendary Flawless Sabrina, is about a New York City pageant in 1968 and is beloved by fans for its fiercely quotable moments. "Paris Is Burning" should need no introduction. "The Damn Deal" and "Pageant" are about the Miss Gay America competition (the first of which, interestingly, was made by a former Miss America). The forthcoming "The Queens," not only goes inside the Miss Continental pageant–the other major drag pageant–but also delves into the history one of the worlds' most famous female impersonation nightclubs, Chicago's Baton.

The bonus, sixth film, "The Unforgettable Danny La Rue," is not about drag pageantry per se, but about what these pageants celebrate–and reward: the ability to get up on a stage, reliably entertain a live audience, and build a successful, sustainable career as a star entertainer. La Rue, arguably the most successful female impersonator of the mid-20th century, did this in spectacular fashion.

In order of the date release. Scroll, watch, and learn: