Miss Gay Delaware America

"Where Female Impersonation Is An Art"

I can't believe it's been 3 months since my last newsletter-where does the time go? It's been a great spring and summer so far, but very hectic. I had the opportunity to perform at Cloud 9 in May and have also enjoyed performing at Blue Moon and Purple Parrot. Thanks to Miss Peaches, Miss Mona Lotts and Miss Tisha Towers and their audiences for making me feel so welcome in their clubs. May also brought back the return of the Miss Wilmington contest, and I was able to perform with long-time friend and pageant owner Robin Banks-congratulations to Anita Mann for capturing that title! I also had the opportunity to perform at several of Nude Rain Productions' Pride Idols this year at Baxters, culminating in the final event in July with Jerry and Karla doing a superb job-who would have thought picking the best karaoke singer would be just as difficult as judging a pageant, but they really pulled out the costumes and displayed their stage presence and vocal abilities. Congratulations to Jerry for his win; as I look forward to seeing him perform at the Pride festival in September (be sure to check out the website for info on the festival, with headliner Tiffany, at www.delawarepride.org).

Congratulations to Miss D'Meaner on her win at Miss Mid-Atlantic America and thank you to Zippy for inviting me to entertain. I was not able to attend our other area MGA prelims for Miss PA and Miss DC due to scheduling conflicts, but I wish all our area winners the best of luck as they also prepare for Miss Gay America coming up Oct 8-12 in St Louis.

In June I was able to travel to VA Beach to promote our state and perform at the In Between club with some sisters from way back--Toni Miquels and Deana Brandel, a new sister--Miranda B Michaels, and got to meet some of the local girls there and had a blast! The 3+ hour drive from Scott & Barry's hopefully prepared them for being stuck in a car with me for 14 hours when we do our drive to St Louis in October!

This past weekend I attended the 36th Miss Gay Missouri America pageant in St Louis, where my “daughter”, Jade Sinclair, was giving up her title. The Missouri America system is rich in tradition and their winner from 1974 makes an appearance every year, along with several other formers. Jade had a very successful reign, making each contestant feel like one of her children, and I give props to her for her dedication to the artform. Twenty-eight contestants competed over a 3-day period and Sparkle Iman became the victor, with Tabbi Katt placing 1st alternate. I look forward to seeing them both, as well as Jade (who recently won Miss Heart of America) at MGA. While there, I got to meet Larry and Terry, the owners of Miss Gay America, and they went out of their way to make me feel welcome, introducing me to other promoters in the audience. Reigning Miss Gay America Mikaila Kay did a great job entertaining, all the while overseeing the 3 days of competition. I'm sure she did not get much rest, but it never showed. MGM promoter Tumara Mahorning was very gracious and asked me to do a walk on and give out an award on final night, so it was very nice to have an official introduction to the St Louis audience. I have formed many friendships out there over the years visiting Jade, and I'm looking forward to seeing friendly faces in the audience when I compete there in October, along with those from DE who are traveling to cheer me on!

It is hard to believe that MGA is only a little over 2 months away. I continue to work on preparations and look forward to upcoming performances, Bingo-a-go-go, the Aids Walk and the Delaware Pride Festival. Check out www.missgaydelawareamerica.com to view my upcoming appearances and watch for information on next March's MGDA 2009 (plans are currently in the works), or drop me a note at www.myspace.com/karynthomas.

Until next time, lots of love, lashes and lipstick!

Karyn Thomas
MGDA 2008

It's been a whirl-wind month since winning Miss Gay Delaware America 2008! Thank you to everyone who made the event so much fun and such a success. To Sierra Spaulding and Miss Deception, congratulations on a job well done-- looking forward to working with you both this year! To Miss D Meaner, congratulations on a great year and continued success as you strives toward the title of Miss Gay America. Since winning the title, I have had to opportunity to re-connect with some old friends and meet many new ones. I had the pleasure to perform the day after the contest at the Purple Parrot with Mikaila Kay--Miss Gay America, who is an amazingly talented performer, as well as former Miss Gay America--Maya Montana, Blair Michaels, Phoenix Rising, and my co-promoter Miranda Bryant (Scott Ross). The evening was a great start to what I know will be a year full of fun! I also had the opportunity to work at Purple Parrot to help a fellow sister, Tisha Towers, raise money to compete for the title of Miss USA Classique in Hickory, NC. (Tisha did a great job, winning talent, and came in 6th overall). The next day it was off to perform at the Miss Gay Maryland America contest at the Hippo in Baltimore, MD. The evening was full of glamour and elegance, and I was able to achieve a milestone in my 20-year career by performing on-stage there. When I first started performing, a group of us would drive down to see the contest every year and be enthralled by Beulah LaMont and the entertainment we saw, so I truly felt I had arrived appearing on that stage. This past weekend was a show at Blue Moon with the fabulous Mona Lotts, who I always enjoy performing with-the crowd is fun and Tim and the staff at the Blue Moon treat everyone with great respect. I look forward to many more performances there. April 26th was Pajama Party Bingo-a-Go-Go in Wilmington, and I look forward to helping at the bingo events remaining for 2008. On May 4th, I was lucky enough to grace the stage with many old friends at the Miss Gay Wilmington contest, owned and promoted by Robin Banks-my sister of more than 20 years. Anita Mann captured the title and Chloe Susan Auld, as 1st alternate, and Samantha Diamond both did a great job, as well. The girls brought many facets of entertainment to the contest-character illusions, Broadway recreations, and even a live vocal performance. I look forward to performing at Cloud 9 on May 11, then will enjoy a much needed week-long vacation in sunny Miami. I return Memorial Day weekend to a show on May 23 at Blue Moon, and then “Ho Down” Bingo-a-go-go on May 24 at the Convention Center in Rehoboth; be sure to come out and see us Memorial Day weekend to support Delaware Pride, AIDS Delaware, and the Rainbow Chorale of Delaware.

Since capturing MDGA 2008, I've been busy working on costumes and ideas to improve my performances in St Louis, MO on October 8-12, where I plan to represent our great state and hope to do us proud. I have been overwhelmed by the response from friends and supporters who plan to travel there to cheer me on. In the mean time, I plan to continue to perform throughout our State, and beyond, to promote the art of female impersonation and the MGDA title. Scott and Barry of Manakin Productions have been wonderful to work with and continue to offer advice and guidance as I pursue excellence in the artform. Please be sure stop by the Miss Gay Delaware America website at www.missgaydelawareamerica.com for information on the pageant. DVD's from the contest are now available, as well. Scott and Barry have pulled me into the 21st century by having me set up a myspace page, so check me out at www.myspace.com/karynthomas - I will be updating the page with pictures and upcoming appearances. Until next time, lots of love, lashes and lipstick!

Karyn Thomas
MGDA 2008