On Saturday, March 31, I attended the Miss Gay Delaware America 2007 pageant at the Christiana Memorial Fire Hall, and all I can say is WOW! This was truly the most organized and professional pageant I have attended in my eleven years of performing as a female impersonator. The Miss Gay Delaware America pageant—which has followed a rocky road over the past few years—is a preliminary to the Miss Gay American pageant. No Miss Gay Delaware America pageant was held in 2006. Prior to 2005, no Miss Gay Delaware America pageant was held since 1999. The new owners of the pageant, Manakin Productions, did a stellar job bringing back and revitalizing the defunct pageant. Organizing such an extravaganza is no small feat by any standards, and a particularly impressive accomplishment when you are dealing with dozens of men doing their best to look like women. The pageant didn’t even run on "drag time." The overture blasted out of the speakers promptly at 8:00 p.m. and the beautiful contestants were introduced on stage a few minutes later.

Five contestants vied for the coveted title. They competed in the categories of evening gown, on-stage question, talent, and male interview, a category held earlier in the afternoon. The contestants really pulled out all the stops! The evening gowns were stunning and would have put many Hollywood red carpet walkers to shame. The sequins, beads, and shiny stones could have blinded you. On-stage questions were tough and pointed, and the ladies offered responses with the utmost in pleasantry, candor, and just a touch of attitude. The talent portion of the competition is always a crowd favorite, and there was something for everyone. Three contestants impersonated the well-known divas Patti LaBelle, Reba McEntyre, and Janet Jackson. One contestant served up an hysterical comedy number complete with snack foods. Another contestant wowed the crowd by performing all six parts of the Broadway classic "Cell Block Tango" from the musical Chicago. The judges truly had some difficult decisions to make. I have judged numerous pageants and it’s always hard because the contestants put so much of themselves into preparation and performance. I did not envy this year’s Miss Gay Delaware America 2007 pageant judges.

Each competition category takes a lot of backstage preparation time for the contestants. In between categories, audience members were entertained by a virtual who’s-who line-up of Delaware and national favorites. Former Delaware title holders included Mahogany, Karyn Thomas, Blair Michaels, Miss Peaches, and Stephanie Michaels. Other regional title-holders were on-hand, not to mention the immense talents of Miss Gay America 2002 Sabrina White and the current-reigning Miss Gay America Luscious, whose acrobatic feats and dizzying dance moves could turn Mary Lou Retton and Paula Abdul green with envy. As the mistress of ceremonies, Michelle Rose was witty, wise-cracking, and kept the show moving at a good pace. The only way the pageant could have been more entertaining is if they had sold tickets to the backstage action. I’ve always said that the real show goes on behind the curtain, not in front of it. My boyfriend can attest to the fact that you haven’t lived until you’ve seen a dozen queens fluttering around frantically backstage at a drag show—dressers fretting, Styrofoam wig-heads bouncing, and the tongue-in-cheek catty remarks flying.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the history of the Miss Gay America pageantry system, it is every bit as splendid as its heterosexual counterpart. The legendary Norma Kristie was crowned the first Miss Gay America in 1972. Entering its 36th year, the pageant system is still going strong. Entry into the national pageant is not open to just anyone. First, you must perform well at a State or Regional preliminary to qualify. Later this year, the newly crowned Miss Gay Delaware America, Miss D. Meaner, and her first alternate, Lady Lords, will both travel to Tennessee to compete on the national level. The national pageant’s categories include male interview, solo talent (during which contestants may not have back-up dancers or props), evening gown, on-stage interview, and talent (during which contestants may include back-up dancers and props). Contestants compete over the course of several days and have ample opportunity to bond and learn more tricks of the trade from their sequin-bearing sisters. Best wishes to the First State’s representatives—Miss D. Meaner and Lady Lords—as they proudly represent Delaware on the national level.

Even if drag isn’t your thing, you have to appreciate the incredible dedication of any female impersonator who competes on a state, regional, or national level. These ladies must master a variety of skills including lip-synch, dance, make-up, hair-styling, wardrobe, and public speaking. And there’s no room for mistakes. Something as simple as a loose thread on your gown, a misplaced bobby pin in your hairdo, or a missed dance step on the floor can cost you points with the eagle-eyed judges. Some girls might be in it for the ego (what entertainer isn’t?), but they’re certainly not in it for the money. Evening gowns for State pageants can easily cost around $1,000, and an evening gown for the national level normally runs you several thousand dollars. This doesn’t take into account other wardrobe, hair, make-up, props, and travel expenses for the contestant, her dresser, and any back-up dancers. The vast majority of girls who compete on higher levels are in it for the right reason—to carry on the rich history of female impersonation. I like to count myself in this crowd.

For more information about Miss Gay Delaware America or to view pictures of the wonderful recent pageant, visit www.missgaydelawareamerica.com. For more information about the national pageantry system, visit missgayamerica.com.