Hello Arkansas! As I sit here writing my first blog and realizing - wow! It has almost been a month already. With that I am extremely excited about this journey and the future journeys ahead and honored to share those with you all.
Since becoming Miss Gay Arkansas America, the state’s Symbol of Excellence - I have not stopped! I immediately have gone into work planning preliminaries for 2024, wanting to uphold and maintain the strong legacy that was created by those before me. With preliminaries being taken care of early it allows us to create and continue cultivating just that - THE LEGACY. With logistics and 2024 being built it has allowed me to travel the state, plan for Miss Gay America, and connect with the sisterhood.
Traveling throughout Arkansas in the last month has been remarkable. Seeing new places and connecting with new people is a part of this journey that I am most excited about. Already I have crossed paths and have gotten to sit and chat with some of the best including Patti Le Plae Safe and Tasha Kohl, both legendary Forever Miss Gay America Sisters. Listening to their journeys, stories, advice, and passion for their craft is inspiring and has been a true motivation to keep the America System and Sisterhood alive and strong. I have also been able to connect with my sisters of MGAR Class of 2023 and become closer as friends outside of a competitive setting. Throughout the competitive season we always supported one another and had a GREAT time doing so and being able to continue those friendships and bonds outside of the pageant has been even better. We are forever family and we are forever growing.
A huge milestone in my journey thus far includes my hometown and home bar. I was honored to have been a part in the Grand Opening Celebration at Club Kinkead’s in Ft. Smith, AR. As Miss Gay Arkansas America my passion has been on community and creating safe spaces and events for all and to see my home community coming together and doing just that brings me tears of joy. As I have stated in interviews and on stage questions my goal as Miss Gay Arkansas America is to expand what my hometown has taught me and send it further throughout Arkansas. Seeing communities staying true to their PRIDE and creating safe events for all is just the start. Coming this month of October communities are starting their celebrations early, and the cool weather is surely to be the star! Greenbriar, AR is kicking off events on October 7th, followed by the Mr. & Miss Ft. Smith Pride Pageant on October 15th, and Central AR Pride 365 on October 21st. Central Pride will consist of a full weekend events including a parade and performances by KC Sunshine, Mr. Gay America 2022, and Latrice Royale from RuPaul’s Drag Race & RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Go out and celebrate your PRIDE!
Lastly, I want to include that part of this entire journey is also working on myself, I am not perfect. If I want my own community to grow, then I to must follow and I encourage each and every one of you to also open your mind and yourself to growth. I am confident that we are all wanting to achieve the same goal within our communities and lives and I want to walk hand in hand with you into a brighter future.
We are beautiful, We are talented, We are strong. Now let’s show the world!
Vanessa Rayne
Miss Gay Arkansas America 2023