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 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.
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.
Read more about this topic: Drag Pageantry, Pageants in The United States
Famous quotes containing the words gay and/or america:
“All parents should be aware that when they mock or curse gay people, they may be mocking or cursing their own child.”
—Anna Quindlen (b. 1953)
“I will keep America moving forward, always forward—for a better America, for an endless enduring dream and a thousand points of light.”
—George Bush (b. 1924)