The Penelope Perspective - OCT 2025

October brings spooky season, delicious fall drinks, and the start of my 90-day countdown to Miss Gay America. It feels completely unreal that we are now less than three months away from what could be the biggest competition—and opportunity—of my career. Preparations are well underway, alongside continuing to build our Class of 2026 as contestants vie for the 52nd Miss Gay Missouri America title.

This month’s preliminary took us back to my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, for the Miss Gay Kansas City America prelim. Now, let me share a little “background knowledge” about Miss Penelope. For some people, the way to their heart is food, good music, or a great cocktail. For me, it’s a beautiful hotel room—and I can honestly say I’ve never stayed in a nicer hotel than The Raphael in Kansas City. Promoters Thomas Hall and Lexus Chaney took incredible care of me and Hallie as we settled in for an exciting weekend celebrating the Miss Gay Kansas City sisterhood. By the end of the weekend, we crowned a new Miss Gay Kansas City America, Mahajanay Demornay, and welcomed her First Alternate, Katty Wampus, into the Class of 2026.

Between the revue show and the pageant itself, I had the chance to meet and spend time with so many entertainers I instantly fell in love with. Performers like Lily White and my MGMA sister, Christa Collins, remind me why being a drag queen is so exciting. Any opportunity to spend time with the Forever MGMAs is truly special, and seeing my big sister Melinda Ryder perform is an absolute blessing. With a legacy spanning over 50 years and a platform that continues to grow well into the later part of her career, I love that she shows no signs of slowing down.

That seems to be a common theme among my MGMA predecessors—we don’t like to slow down. Naturally, I kept myself busy this month with bookings and appearances nearly every weekend. These included emceeing the Miss Gay Missouri America Femme pageant and crowning Chasity Valentino as the inaugural Miss Gay Missouri America Femme; hosting Halloween brunches at Bubby and Sissy’s; weekend bookings at Prism STL and Bar: PM; and spending quality time with friends and family here in St. Louis.

Halloween season is always something I look forward to because it allows me to step outside the box of “typical Penelope” and play a bit in the world of “what if.” This year, I leaned even further into the spooky and slightly alternative while still maintaining the polish I expect of an America representative. The result was pure fun—and something I plan to continue exploring each year, and maybe even beyond spooky season. It’s a reminder of what drag is truly about: passion, artistry, joy, and community.

As preliminary season ramps up next month—with two prelims on the calendar!—I’m excited to see how my legacy continues to take shape, how many chairs we pull up to our table, and the kind of community I will keep building as the 51st Miss Gay Missouri America.

Care to come along with me?

​As always, with love and respect,
Penelope Booze
51st Miss Gay Missouri America