Because he always knew a good thing when he saw it, When Ron Davis (aka Lana Kuntz) saw the third Miss Gay America Pageant in 1973, he knew that a state franchise was just what St. Louis needed. That first Miss Gay Missouri Pageant was held the next halloween and Julie Tomorrow was crowned the first Miss Gay Missouri. That first pageant started a tradition that has lasted 30 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 (aka 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 to be 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 they decided to buy the franchise and keep the pageant going in St. Louis. They held the franchise for the next eight years. 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, Melinda Ryder, Dan Curry, Zsa Zsa Principle, Mona Desmond, Charity Case (who later became Miss Gay America 2001), and Vicki Vincent (who later became MGA 1989) were all winners during this period.
When Mike Lavin, Dean Dingler, and Chuck Atteberry (aka 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, contibuted many good things to the pageant. The main contibution 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), CeeCee Belle, Miss Vogue, Vicki Valentino, Loretta Martin, and Krista Versace.
At this point in time, The Miss Gay Missouri Pageant is already twenty-five years old and will take another turn. Chuck Attebury (of Sex Inc.) and Daniel Flier (aka Vanessa Vincent) resumed the responsibility of ownership. The next few years raised leadership, sponsorship of the Miller Brewing Co. and interest throughout the state. The following were winners under Chuck and Daniel's ownership: Alexis Principle, China Collins, Lexus Chaney (who went on to place in the top ten at MGA and won overall "talent" at MGA), Ineda Cocktael, and Erica Leigh Foster. After five years of presenting the finest pageant in the state they believed it was time to take a step back and retire.
The franchise was then handed to Joie Dimercurio (aka Tumara Mahorning) who then refurbished the ideas of the past, yet opened more doors for contestants to become winners. Having been actively involved since 1987, Tumara is the only queen that has never walked away. Tumara believes in the symbol of excellence and the tradition of how a man can transform himself into a woman. Now in this new year (2003), and coming years with the help of Reba Lamkey-Knabe, the duo will continue the tradition of putting together the finest in the Missouri America tradition................. |
