Our History

Established in 1972, the Miss Gay Arkansas America Pageant is the oldest preliminary to the Miss Gay America Pageant. 

 

Having been held before the first Miss Gay America contest, Miss Gay Arkansas is the oldest drag pageant in the world that is affiliated with a pageant system!

 

The first Miss Gay America Pageant was held in Nashville, TN, at the Watch Your Hat and Coat Saloon. Norma Kristie, representative of Arkansas, was crowned the first Miss Gay America in 1972.

 

Norma helped to promote the pageant until 1975 when he purchased the rights to the contest from the original owner. Incorporating in business as Norma Kristie, Inc., Norman Jones proudly promoted the Official Miss Gay America Pageant and its network of preliminary pageants across the nation until 2005. Norman continues to promote the Miss Gay Arkansas America Pageant.

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CLICK HERE to view our former titleholders!