THE PENELOPE PERSPECTIVE - NOV 2025

Hello Miss Gay Missouri supporters, fans, sponsors, contestants, and anyone else who may be tuning in for this month’s Penelope Perspective! We are at the end of November, and I have so much to be thankful for this month. I want to start by giving everyone an update on our Countdown to Miss Gay America: 50 days—that’s it! Fifty days away from showing the entire country what I, and what Missouri, are made of.

Preparations for a national pageant are very similar to preparing for a national dance competition—lots of rehearsals, meetings with fellow team members to figure out details and logistics, and continuing to maintain some form of relevance outside of your own bubble. But in many ways, it’s also proving very different from what I am used to when preparing for a competition. Things like waiting for designers or contractors to provide their portion of the package and presiding over prelims while getting ready for nationals have been a completely different animal for me to tackle.

My team has been absolutely incredible, though, and at the beginning of this month I held my first benefit show for my journey to Miss Gay America. The event was an absolute success, with supporters from all over the St. Louis area—and even some friends from out of town and out of state—joining myself and my incredible lineup of entertainers for a night of fundraising. My headlining sponsor, Sirenity Farms, provided a basket and was in attendance, along with my supporting sponsors Rehab Bar & Grill, Pappy’s Smokehouse, Hair by Larr, DTD Wigs, and Visuals by Hallie. I couldn’t be more indebted to these companies for their generosity and support as I work toward becoming the next Miss Gay America.

Outside of my benefit show, rehearsals have been underway as well. I have decided to take a talent to nationals that I have already seen success with leading up to this point. It’s something I believe is original, exciting, and showcases what I can do as an entertainer. I’ve tweaked the story slightly to parallel the new Wicked movie in order to connect with a storyline many people have recently been introduced to—and I think it will be very successful.

My final “to-do” this month, among regular appearances, was presiding over the 50th Miss Gay Springfield America preliminary. It was such an amazing weekend, getting to return to where my pageantry journey began and spend time with new and old friends who have supported me along the way. We had a handful of Forever Miss Missouris in attendance—Vivian Versace (MGMA 2024), Trixie LaRue (MGMA 2021), and Lexus Chaney (MGMA 2000)—which always means a good time is about to be had. We closed out the weekend by crowning the 50th Miss Gay Springfield America, Chevelle Chardonnay, and welcoming her First Alternate, MaryAnn Bright, to the Class of 2026. I look forward to seeing what these two returning contestants prepare for this year’s state pageant.

With so much planned for next month, I find myself both anxious and excited as I continue inching closer to MGA and my step down as MGMA. We will also celebrate my step down as Miss Gay City of Columbia next month, so be sure to come out and party with us!

Until then, with love and respect,
Penelope Booze
​51st Miss Gay Missouri America