Miss Gay Memphis, which was originally called Miss Memphis Review, was the first drag or Female impersonation pageantry event in Memphis, Tennessee. The first Miss Gay Memphis event was held in the Guild Theatre, which is now called The Evergreen Theatre, on October 31, 1969 by the owner Bill Kendall.[1]
The Event
editThe Miss Gay Memphis Pageant is an event where men impersonate women and compete in several rounds with judges. At times cash and other various prizes were offered to the winner and runner ups that get selected by these judges.[2]
History
edit
In Memphis during the 1950's and the 1960's, being a part of, or associating with, the LGBT community was considered taboo. People in the LGBT community were afraid that if they were caught doing events, like drag shows, they would be labeled as "degenerates, perverts, and deviants" or be arrested.[3]
The first Miss Gay Memphis event was set during Halloween; cross-dressing at the time was illegal and could result in arrest, but on Halloween, it could be argued that crossdressing was only a costume.[4] Bill Kendall, manager of the Guild Theatre, set up this event and brought gender-conforming women into the audience to deter possible police raids.[5] Despite the worries of some attendees, no raids took place and the event went as planned.
On October 23, 2019, 50 years later, a historic marker was placed outside of the Evergreen to honor this event taking place. [6]
References
edit- ^ Mccoy, Toby Sells and Chris. "Memphis Pride: A New Historical Marker, and Four Who Are Making a Difference". Memphis Flyer. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
- ^ TQM (November 1984). "15th Annual Miss Gay Memphis Pageant to be Held Halloween" (PDF). Gaze: 17.
- ^ Buring, Daneel (1997). Lesbian and Gay Memphis: Building Communities Behind the Magnolia Curtain. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-8153-2990-9.
- ^ Hughes, Dr. Charles (2016-07-22). "Interview with Hunter Johnston" (PDF). Memphis LGBT Oral Histories. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
- ^ Ulmer, Amy (2012). Place, Race, and Religion in the Local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Movement of Memphis, Tennessee (MA thesis). University of Mississippi.
- ^ "Miss Gay Memphis Historical Marker Unveiling Later This Month". Focus Mid-South. 2019-10-23. Retrieved 2021-02-21.