December 2016 - Regina's Intergalactic Transmissions

Can you believe it's December?  Where has the time gone? I guess it’s true what they say, time flies when you’re having fun!

November was a great month, it started with a trip to Springfield, MO for the Miss Gay Springfield America pageant. Springfield is a two day event that starts off with a Forever Miss Gay Springfield America review show. It was so great to see the MGSA sisterhood in action, they truly look out for each other's wellbeing! I got to share the stage with Akasha Royale helping to host and it was a fantastic time!

On Saturday the pageant began with two contestants that are no strangers to the MGMA stage, Musica Malone and Ruby Diamond. It was a great pageant to watch and was also the last time we would see contestants competing in the solo talent category. Both contestants were fantastic but it would be Ruby Diamond to capture the title of Miss Gay Springfield America and Musica Malone placing 1st alternate, both gaining a ticket to MGMA COMICON in April at the MCC church in St. Louis!

​The following week would be one of the most important of our lifetime with the presidential election. I had so many thoughts in my head while watching in shock and awe as the results came in. My mind is still racing and I found comfort and encouragement in the words of wisdom from myself and some of our title holders in the MGMA family. 

​“There are no words that can stop our community from feeling the way we do right now. All we have is hope, we cannot let hope die. We have made great strides and battled some pretty big demons to get where we are today.
We must remember to stick together in times like this, we must remember to love each other unconditionally, hold our brothers and sisters hands and let out voices be heard.
The election may not have had the outcome we wanted and our worst fear may have come true, but through all of the hatred we must find a way to continue to let love win!
I love you all #StrongerTogether.”

Regina La-Rae
Miss Gay Missouri America 2016

“Here are my thoughts on the election...
1.  I'm not happy, but I'm not giving up. I believe in this country. I believe in the people of this country. Sure...are there morons out there who don't give a crap about those who are not white, heterosexual males? Of course there are! But Hillary is winning the popular vote. That gives me hope!
2.  This was the LOWEST DEMOCRATIC VOTER turnout in many years. That sucks! Had people voted and not used the excuse "this is a lose-lose situation. Why vote?" then Hillary WOULD have won! Our vote counts. This is not a game! This is ALL OF OUR FUTURES! Your lack of commitment to our country has caused Trump to win. Congrats!
3.  Would I love a viable third party candidate? Yes! Did we have any this year? No! They didn't stand a chance! Voting for them is a vote tossed in the trash. It's sad but it's true.
4.  Trump is president. It's a fact. It's time for us to all join together and NOT allow for our rights to be tampered with. He IS your president! If you don't want him to be your president then it's time to seek citizenship in another country.
5.  LGBT rights are being threatened. However the reality is that it would be VERY difficult to get marriage equality overturned. That doesn't mean we should not be vigilant and keep working towards protecting those rights. Let's all do our parts to ensure we continue to have equality!
​
Agree or disagree on my points...its fine. Just take time to process your feelings and come out STRONGER. DON'T GIVE UP! We are all Americans. We are on the same team. Keep that in mind.” ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Karma T. Cassidy
Miss Gay St. Louis America 2017

“Ladies, people are looking at us now more than ever because we are public figures, In Springfield people are already looking to me for answers, I may not have them but I can be a calm loving leader in my community and can be strong for my town. We must show them that life does go on and we are here to fight a good fight and stay strong. In Springfield, Miss Springfield was looked at as a community figure and Respected and I intend on being there for folks who have supported me. Love you all.”

​Ruby Diamond
​Miss Gay Springfield America 2017

“The last few days have been rough. I've got deep feelings like the rest of you but now is not the time. We cannot let the uncertainty of what lies ahead distract us. The work we've accomplished thus far must continue. More than ever before we must be strong. We need to live and love more fiercely than ever before. What lies ahead will require our absolute best as a nation. Some will find it difficult to stand in the face of adversity as this new leg of our struggle begins, but It is imperative that those of us with influence, however slight, draw on what strength we have left to support those who might fall under the weight of what is to come. We must be ready. We cannot change the past and we must not use what precious energy we have left foolishly sulking about. Change is upon us and we must be prepared. Take the time you need for self-care but be brief we must #UniteandFight victory is our only option.”

Moltyn Decadence
Miss Gay Gateway America 2017

On November 18th I traveled to Columbia, MO for the return of the Miss Gay Columbia Missouri America pageant after a two year hiatus. Promoter Musica Malone would breathe new life into the sisterhood and she did so with a bang. Four contestants showed up in hopes of being crowned the next MGCOC. Molly Alice Minx, Veronika Versace, Amanda Lay, and Lucie Lush. It was an amazing contest to watch all four contestants brought their “A” game and there was no telling who would win but it was pageant newbie, Veronika Versace, to capture the title and Amanda Lay to place 1st alternate. Though Veronika Versace is new to pageantry, she really turned heads with her professionalism in Male interview, her grace and elegance in evening gown and her incredible speaking skills during onstage question. 

My favorite thing for November was I got a surprise visit from my mother, I didn't think I would get to see her again until next April! She always had the talent for showing up when I needed her. I love you mama!

Thanksgiving was a great time with Kevin’s family. Spent the day eating great food and talking out preparations for my first cruise ever! We leave on December 2nd with Kevin’s family to the western Caribbean and Eastern Mexico cruising the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. I'm filled with excitement and nervousness all at once!

Looking at what’s to come, I will be starting a highlighted contestant of the month video segment as well as a road to MGMA video segment to keep everyone up to date with what’s happening! My preparation camps will go from not only online but to in person meetings as well! I am very excited to bring more to the MGMA family following the New Year!!!

Have a happy holiday, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

FROM THE BOARD:

Hello friends, family and fans of Miss Gay Missouri America.

 Another year is coming to an end quickly and a whole of things happened this year, some that will for sure make the history books, but somehow through it all we will survive. Miss Gay Missouri has been very busy doing a fantastic job overseeing all of the 7 preliminaries and guiding the 14 qualified contestants on all the changes in the America system. Regina has also been working with promoters and the board to help make MGMA 2017 a smooth transition. We are so proud to announce again the MGMA 2017 will be returning to St. Louis Mo. at the MCC church on April 6th 7th and 8th. Watch for the MGMA teasers coming to Facebook and posters will be out and up soon and adds for the souvenir program will also be availible as well. So if you need a poster or want to advertise your business in the program reach out to Regina or one of the board members and we will get that information to you and get your ads going. While we are on this subject, tickets will be coming as well so don’t miss the opportunity to grab them early and save a bit when you purchase all three night in advance. You won’t want to miss our biggest year yet.
Ladies, upcoming preliminaries that are waiting for you to get your qualifying ticket to MGMA 2017 are:

Miss Metropolitan: Grey Fox in St. Louis. January 21st, 2017 Contact Adria Andrews

Miss Gay Northwest: Landing Theater in St. Joseph. February 4th, 2017 Contact Dustin Mathews and Patrick Hall

Miss Heart of Missouri: Ying Yang in Columbia February 10th, 2017 Contact Amanda Lay or Kaighlynn LaFaye

Spirit of St. Louis: The Grey Fox in St. Louis. March 11th 2017. Contact Cierra St James-Monet

So don’t waste time, pick the prelim you want to enter and get your package together and get that ticket. We don’t want anyone to miss out, but you can’t wait till the last minute or you’ll lose your chance to be our next Symbol of Excellence and become part of the MGMA Family.

With only December left in the year and Christmas and New Year’s just weeks away, you will start to think about those new year resolutions or some changes in your life you’d like to make. So while you think on those try to remember this.

2016 was a year that saw a lot of hatred, violence, murder, destruction of businesses, protesting, politicians saying and doing things that were unbelievable, religious groups and minorities verbally and physically attacked, the LGBT community rights being attacked, and yes even the KKK and white supremacist groups have shown their faces of hatred, we have also seen friends and families and our own LGBT community become divided by anger for each other’s opinions. All of the things above have seemed to bring discrimination to the front of the line again. And to the shock of a lot of Americans Donald Trump was elected to be our next president.
 
So you ask,” Why do you say this?” I say this because through it all we as a people and a community of all sexual identities, religious beliefs, ethnic background, political views, wealthy or poor, or any other position you wish to take, YOU and I have within ourselves the ability to love, care, share, hope, strive, support, help and believe in each other as the human race of this world. Each of us feels pain, sorrow, hurt and anger in our life but instead of lashing out at each other let’s help each other. We have the opportunity right in front of us to make this a better world for all of us. So when you think of what you want for the New Year, think of how you can and will help make it a little bit better for us all and I will do the same. Until we meet on the stage of life, be well, be happy, and most of all be blessed. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone!
 
Emilio Olvera/Lexsus Chaney
      &
The MGMA Alumni and Board