The 51st Miss Gay America was crowned in Little Rock, a city whose legislature is working to restrict and limit drag performance in the state.
Miss Gay America 2022, Savvy Savant, placed the crown atop Tatiyanna Voche’s hair — which was teased and perfectly hair-sprayed. Savant, just hours before, spoke on the Little Rock Capitol steps to protest Senate Bill 43.
Tatiyanna Voche’ is crowned as Miss Gay America 2023. The 51st annual pageant was held in Little Rock at Robinson Theatre. The
pageant fell just days after a bill passed in the Arkansas Senate Committee. The bill aims to restrict drag performances.
The bill — which has passed the Arkansas Senate Committee — aims to define drag, or female impersonation, as an “adult-oriented business” and restrict its performance from public property or within the view of minors.
The pageant was founded by Norman Jones, a mainstay in the Little Rock gay scene. Jones owns Triniti and Discovery Nightclubs, two prominent gay clubs in the city. Jones won the pageant’s first title, competing as “Norma Kristie.”
Despite questions of whether the pageant would continue in Little Rock, come Friday night all 43 contestants lined the stage in the colors of the rainbow. The theme of the night was “Dream in Color.”
The night included a question portion, evening gown portion and a talent portion for the 10 finalists, which were: Tatiyanna Voche’, Dessie Love Blake, Barbra Seville, Aria B. Cassadine, Tia Wanna Ross, Morgan Morgan Morgan, Chloe Knox, Giselle Cassidy Carter, Janeé Starr and Gizele Monáe.
During the question portion, each finalist was asked the same question: “If you are crowned tonight, tomorrow you will awaken a leader. In the place of negativity, how does your presence as Miss Gay America promote positivity?”
Blake, of Texas, pointed to being a safe space for the gay community even in times of strife.
“In a time where we are in such trouble with things that are going on in the country — with different states passing different laws … I will be the person that is going to stand up and say ‘I’m here for you, we can do this, it’s OK to be gay, it’s OK to be whatever you are, you are safe here at Miss Gay America,” Blake said.
Voche’, the eventual winner of the pageant began her question portion by greeting the audience.
“So I turned 40 about three weeks ago — you weren’t supposed to clap, because you were supposed to say I don’t look like it. This has been the best 40th birthday present a guy could ask for. The love and support throughout this entire week is what the art of female illusion is all about,” Voche’ said.
In response to the question, Voche’ cited her work as a leader helping other drag queens.
“For the last few years, I’ve traveled this country on my own because I genuinely wanted to see girls achieve their dreams. As a sister, as a mentor, as a leader, I have promoted positivity the last few years by going to see those girls achieve their dreams, to helping them to say ‘It doesn’t matter what other people say to you, If you’re happy with yourself, and you love yourself, that’s where it all starts from,” Voche’ said.
She continued, “That is the root of loving everything about life. That is the positivity that we’re all looking for — we all want to be loved. If I can spread love throughout this country like I have the last two years, as a leader moving forward, tomorrow morning waking up as Miss Gay America — that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
Loud applause followed Voche’s answer, different from the other queen’s responses which foreshadowed her crowning.
Voche’ took home the crown, Blake was awarded first alternate, Seville was awarded second alternate, Cassadine was awarded third alternate and Wanna Ross was awarded fourth alternate.
Attendees who purchased a ticket got in free to Triniti Nightclub. More information about the pageant can be found at missgayamerica.com.
