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| Title | The Nuntius Southwest, January 2-9, [1976] |
| Contributor |
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| Date | January 2, 1976-January 9, 1976 |
| Language | English |
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| Identifier | OCLC: 30351090 |
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| Rights | Rights Undetermined |
| Note | This item was digitized from materials loaned by the Gulf Coast Archive and Museum (GCAM). |
| Title | File 004 |
| Transcript | Dear Mel, You may print any or all of this if you want. It is a personal note to you. It can also be considered to everyone. In this column, I will include many thoughts, so I will caution you before reading it. I am not trying to offend anyone, but I am going to "tell it like it was" a cliche for which I have been known. The recent Miss Gay America Pageant was just a new bSginning for most gay people. The pageant had suffered tremendously within the past few years because it has been shrouded in dishonesty, continuous misdealings and misappropriation of funds. This was all the fault of the founder of the pageant. We tried to salvage the reputation of the pageant by changing the figure - head--for involvement and association purposes. This we did. To my surprise many contestants stayed away--untrustion of the stayed away -- untrusting of the pageant and the former promoter. Finally we made the contest with 29 of the best contestants that I could have hoped for at this time. The contest ran like clockwork under the direction of myself, Lady Baronessa, Jennifer George, Shawn Luis, Chelsea St. John, and Tuna Starr. The decision was made and the winner crowned. The audience favorite did not win, so an immediate "rigged" element came into play. What the audience failed to realize was that these contestants had been judged on more than just stage presentation. The male and female interviews counted one fourth of their total score. So what one saw as a perfect performance on stage, did not necessarily win the contest. So as far as "rigged" goes, I will say that this is one of the first pageants that has not been rigged as far as contestants go, and I personally will fight anyone who dares to say it was. The judges chose who they thought would be the best all around winner. They took everything into consideration, and they chose the person that could present both sides of gay life and speak for gay people all over throughout the coming year. We have never had a failure yet. Shawn Covington will be a Miss Gay America that we all can be proud of. All Miss Gay Americas are. Many people - gay people were very rude to the judges during the pageant simply because they failed to see eye to eye with their decisions. To those ignorant people. I say I'm sorry you came you gave us a bad name of which your type usually does. As far as attendance, I personally was very disappointed because the majority of Houston gays stayed home. Most of the 3 night crowd were out of towners. They cared about the pageant. This was a chance for Houston people to see a quality pageant. They missed it, and that chance will not come again for a long time. The pageant was given for you to enjoy, and you chose not to attend. Next, I might add a note of sincere thanks to all who helped me my MC's the hosts Ricky, Carl, Joe and Dale, the lighting techs, and the sound man. They all donated their services. Everyone else was paid. As far as donations to the pageant, I commend and thank the clubs and bars in Houston and everywhere for their financial support. To Mel, I owe a tremendous thanks for all he did for the pageant. Time, money, advertising, odds and ends. To Phil Frank, my deepest regards for his ever faithful personal and business association with me. To all others - con't. page 4 BUNE/BOUSE "the exciting aroma .mm of «£\ MET WEIGHT JOIS BUNE/BOUSE "the exciting aroma AH MEN. of Houston SOS WESTHEIMER .JKHHOF MEN HE I "EIGHT 101 MAIN STREET NEWS P09« • |
| File Name | uhlib_30351090_19750102-09_003_ac.jpg |