MGMA HISTORY
Because he always knew a good thing when he saw it! When Ron Davis (a.k.a. Lana Kuntz) saw the 1972/73 Miss Gay America Pageant, he knew that a state franchise was just what St. Louis needed. The first Miss Gay Missouri Pageant was held on Halloween 1973 and Julie Tomorrow was crowned out of a field of 17-contestants. That first crowning started a tradition that has lasted some 40-years and has grown to be one of the most respected titles in the country.
The next year, when business prompted Ron to move to Houston, Ron's brother Don Davis (a.k.a. Donna Drag) continued the pageant for the next five years. Those next five winners, Candy James, Lena, Dusty Michaels, Bobbie Holliday, and Christi Cole were the most dynamic performers of the day. Candy James continues today as one of the most respected and innovative female impersonators in the business.
In 1979 Don decided to join his brother in Houston. A comedy group known as Sex, Inc. was beginning to make some waves on the female impersonation scene and decided to buy the franchise and keep the pageant going in St. Louis. The trio held the franchise for the next eight years and during that time, the pageant became the largest attended gay event in St. Louis. For three years in a row the pageant attracted over 1000 people. The quality of winners kept pace with the high attendance numbers. Genevieve Ryder, Georgia Brown, Vanessa Vincent, Vicki Vincent (who captured the title of Miss Gay America 1989),Melinda Ryder, Dan Curry, Zsa Zsa Principle, Mona Desmond, and Charity Case (who later became MGA 2001) were all winners during this period.
When Mike Lavin, Dean Dingler, and Chuck Atteberry (a.k.a. Sex, Inc.) decided it was time to retire, they thought there was no group more able to continue on the tradition than the winners of the title. Kim Alexis became the first Miss Gay Missouri crowned at a pageant produced by the Miss Gay Missouri Alumni Committee. The committee, made up of past winners, contributed many good things to the pageant. The main contribution of the alumni committee was the establishment of the "preliminary system." Under this system all contestants must be winners of a preliminary pageant to qualify for the state pageant. This system has helped to make the Miss Gay Missouri Pageant truly a state pageant and not just a local pageant. The pageant still attracted the best and most exciting female impersonators in the state. This is exemplified by those who won the title under the leadership of the Alumni Committee: Kim Alexis, Kathy Klein, Shayla Simpson (who went on to become National Entertainer of the Year 1993), Dieta Pepsi, Tumara Mahorning (who went on to become Miss Continental Plus 2000), Cee Cee Belle, Miss Vogue, Vicki Valentino, Loretta Martin, and Krista Versace.
At this point in time, The Miss Gay Missouri Pageant is already 25-years old and will take another turn. Chuck Atteberry (of Sex, Inc.) and Daniel Flier (a.k.a. Vanessa Vincent, MGMA 1982) resumed the responsibility of ownership. The next few years raised leadership, the sponsorship of the Miller Brewing Company, and interest throughout the state. The following winners were crowned under Chuck and Daniel's ownership: Alexis Principle, China Collins, Lexsus Chaney (who went on to place in the top ten at MGA and won overall "talent" at MGA), Ineda Cochtael, and Erica Leigh Foster. After five years of presenting the finest pageant in the state the duo believed it was time to take a step back and retire.
In 2001 the franchise was then handed to Joie DiMercurio (a.k.a. Tumara Mahorning, MGMA 1992) who owned and promoted the pageant until 2010. During this period the pageant was held in Springfield for the first time; corporate sponsorship was cultivated, as well as outreach to media. Ali Kat, Atheena Voce, Sasha Nicole, Victoria DePaula (who went on to capture MGA 2009), Jade Sinclair, Sparkle Iman, Erica Foxx, and Nikki Stevens were the keepers of the crown during this time.
The Miss Gay Missouri Alumni Association again assumed operation of the storied pageant in August 2010 and continued the tradition of moving the pageant around The Show Me State. In 2011 and 2012 the city of Columbia played host for the first time and saw the crowning of Madison Elise and Michelle McCausland. The pageant returned to St. Louis in 2013 and 2014. Christa Collins and Adria Andrews won those editions respectively. Both went on to place in the Top 5 at MGA when competing as MGMA. Kansas City was the host city on the next two years, seeing its very own Kyla Breeze and Regina La-Rae get added as the newest jewels in the sisterhood. Continuing with the tradition of switching host city every two years, the pageant returned to St. Louis in 2017 to see local Tabbi Katt be crowned the symbol of excellence that year. In 2018, Janessa Highland from St. Louis became the 45th MGMA. Vega would win in her first attempt in 2019 at the same venue and reign through 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Trixie LaRue won the coveted title at the Moto Museum in St. Louis. The 48th MGMA is Tajma Stetson crowned in her hometown at Kansas City, the pageant would return to Kansas City for its 49th edition and saw Springfield native and St. Louis resident, Akasha Royale, win the coveted title.
As the second oldest preliminary to Miss Gay America celebrates 50 years of excellence, it is with a deep respect for their history and a dedication to the legacy which is MGMA that the Alumni looks forward to bringing the pageant to future generations.
The next year, when business prompted Ron to move to Houston, Ron's brother Don Davis (a.k.a. Donna Drag) continued the pageant for the next five years. Those next five winners, Candy James, Lena, Dusty Michaels, Bobbie Holliday, and Christi Cole were the most dynamic performers of the day. Candy James continues today as one of the most respected and innovative female impersonators in the business.
In 1979 Don decided to join his brother in Houston. A comedy group known as Sex, Inc. was beginning to make some waves on the female impersonation scene and decided to buy the franchise and keep the pageant going in St. Louis. The trio held the franchise for the next eight years and during that time, the pageant became the largest attended gay event in St. Louis. For three years in a row the pageant attracted over 1000 people. The quality of winners kept pace with the high attendance numbers. Genevieve Ryder, Georgia Brown, Vanessa Vincent, Vicki Vincent (who captured the title of Miss Gay America 1989),Melinda Ryder, Dan Curry, Zsa Zsa Principle, Mona Desmond, and Charity Case (who later became MGA 2001) were all winners during this period.
When Mike Lavin, Dean Dingler, and Chuck Atteberry (a.k.a. Sex, Inc.) decided it was time to retire, they thought there was no group more able to continue on the tradition than the winners of the title. Kim Alexis became the first Miss Gay Missouri crowned at a pageant produced by the Miss Gay Missouri Alumni Committee. The committee, made up of past winners, contributed many good things to the pageant. The main contribution of the alumni committee was the establishment of the "preliminary system." Under this system all contestants must be winners of a preliminary pageant to qualify for the state pageant. This system has helped to make the Miss Gay Missouri Pageant truly a state pageant and not just a local pageant. The pageant still attracted the best and most exciting female impersonators in the state. This is exemplified by those who won the title under the leadership of the Alumni Committee: Kim Alexis, Kathy Klein, Shayla Simpson (who went on to become National Entertainer of the Year 1993), Dieta Pepsi, Tumara Mahorning (who went on to become Miss Continental Plus 2000), Cee Cee Belle, Miss Vogue, Vicki Valentino, Loretta Martin, and Krista Versace.
At this point in time, The Miss Gay Missouri Pageant is already 25-years old and will take another turn. Chuck Atteberry (of Sex, Inc.) and Daniel Flier (a.k.a. Vanessa Vincent, MGMA 1982) resumed the responsibility of ownership. The next few years raised leadership, the sponsorship of the Miller Brewing Company, and interest throughout the state. The following winners were crowned under Chuck and Daniel's ownership: Alexis Principle, China Collins, Lexsus Chaney (who went on to place in the top ten at MGA and won overall "talent" at MGA), Ineda Cochtael, and Erica Leigh Foster. After five years of presenting the finest pageant in the state the duo believed it was time to take a step back and retire.
In 2001 the franchise was then handed to Joie DiMercurio (a.k.a. Tumara Mahorning, MGMA 1992) who owned and promoted the pageant until 2010. During this period the pageant was held in Springfield for the first time; corporate sponsorship was cultivated, as well as outreach to media. Ali Kat, Atheena Voce, Sasha Nicole, Victoria DePaula (who went on to capture MGA 2009), Jade Sinclair, Sparkle Iman, Erica Foxx, and Nikki Stevens were the keepers of the crown during this time.
The Miss Gay Missouri Alumni Association again assumed operation of the storied pageant in August 2010 and continued the tradition of moving the pageant around The Show Me State. In 2011 and 2012 the city of Columbia played host for the first time and saw the crowning of Madison Elise and Michelle McCausland. The pageant returned to St. Louis in 2013 and 2014. Christa Collins and Adria Andrews won those editions respectively. Both went on to place in the Top 5 at MGA when competing as MGMA. Kansas City was the host city on the next two years, seeing its very own Kyla Breeze and Regina La-Rae get added as the newest jewels in the sisterhood. Continuing with the tradition of switching host city every two years, the pageant returned to St. Louis in 2017 to see local Tabbi Katt be crowned the symbol of excellence that year. In 2018, Janessa Highland from St. Louis became the 45th MGMA. Vega would win in her first attempt in 2019 at the same venue and reign through 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Trixie LaRue won the coveted title at the Moto Museum in St. Louis. The 48th MGMA is Tajma Stetson crowned in her hometown at Kansas City, the pageant would return to Kansas City for its 49th edition and saw Springfield native and St. Louis resident, Akasha Royale, win the coveted title.
As the second oldest preliminary to Miss Gay America celebrates 50 years of excellence, it is with a deep respect for their history and a dedication to the legacy which is MGMA that the Alumni looks forward to bringing the pageant to future generations.