May/June 2013 - Christa's Column & MGMA Board Newsletter

According to "Webster's" , the word PRIDE means a feeling or deep pleasure derived from one's own achievements. Pride is also the subject of many fables,parables and biblical quotes. It is one of the seven deadly sins; we are told that Pride cometh before the fall, and various other phrases that depict us as being  shallow and unresponsive to any one else's needs. But let me explain all the wonderful things PRIDE(People-Realizing-Ideas and Dreams Effortlessly), have done for our community.

 

Let us move ahead to Stonewall and the Sexual Revolution, and the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. There were so many brave and selfless people who fought and cried, prayed and died all that we may enjoy what we have today. We are now standing on their shoulders and asking for Marriage Equality and asking for acceptance no matter what part of the community we assign ourselves to or identify with.  Yes, we are drag queens(female impersonators or illusionists) - and twinks and bears and leather men and so many other incorporations within the LGBT community. So much so - that sometimes we find ourselves at odds with each other in our own tribe. But we are also doctors, lawyers,teachers,mothers and fathers. We can be a very compassionate and loving community, who accepts all walks of life with no judgement. We have accomplished so many amazing things as a people and as individuals all within our community, be it from small towns or a large metropolis.

 I am so proud to be who and what I am (because to me they are one and the same), and I am so proud to be a part of this community with all of its faults and successes. I am proud that my extended gay family accepts and loves me for who I am with all of my successes and failures.

So what exactly are we celebrating during this month of Pride? We are celebrating fierce love, family, joy, community and spirit. We are celebrating each other. Let us be a little kinder to each other, have a little bit more patience with one another, and celebrate all of the wonderful things that we have together. And let's not just do it at a big festival or street party with a parade - but let us do all year around. Let us celebrate what I was told by my grandmother long ago: "We ain't what we should be, we ain't what we're gonna be, but, at least we ain't what we was."

 Have a great month of Pride, stay cool and celebrate our diversity, our strength, our wit and most of all, our LOVE. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Our firt MGM 2014 preliminary, Miss Metropolitan, will be held on July 21 in Kansas City at Sidekicks and it is an open pageant. There is also a tentative date for Miss Springfield set for November 10. I will let you know if that date is earlier or later than scheduled. I am also sending out a letter to current and former promoters about opening their pageants back up. So ladies, keep your eyes and ears open for further details and get those gowns ready. 

Miss Gay Missouri America 2013,
Christa Collins 


MAY/JUNE MGMA BOARD NEWSLETTER

It’s been over five years since I have written a newsletter.

I was overly excited when I received the phone call regarding the possibility of me joining the MGM board.  I was unsure if I would be able to contribute the time and effort it would take. Was I worthy of a position like this?  Why NOT me? I thought, “I’m just as good as anyone else."  And now I am so thrilled to be a part of the board for Miss Gay Missouri America. I hope I perform in a fashion more than pleasing to all board members, formers and contestants. It is an honor and a privileged to sit beside these five alumni board members. Thank you all for this wonderful opportunity.

When I first started to compete at MGM I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I did it because I was told to, and after the first year I had a point to prove. Each year it became a harder task for me due to people continuing to give up on me and my dream. I wanted it for myself so badly and I always felt as if I needed to come back harder and stronger each year. Each time was a learning experience for me.  But I felt as though I learned the most when I stepped away from my circle and reached out for help. Being Miss Gay Missouri became my dream and I wasn’t going to stop until I won, no matter how many times it took. After five years, the title became mine; I was more than thrilled. I don’t believe I was ready to be Miss Gay Missouri until that moment. I became grateful of those five years of competition that taught me so much and helped me through my reign. People always said, “You will win when the time is right for you.” I believe that is what happened. And I was able to share one of the happiest nights of my life with my mother, baby sister, close family and friends. I do believe it was worth the wait.

I say all of this so you'll know that - if being Miss Gay Missouri is what your heart desires, don’t give up on your dream. Keep fighting until you reach it. I know that after all the preparation and hard work it hurts to not get what you feel you deserve. But in the end, once you are crowned, it will all be worth it. You will understand why it didn’t happen for you last year, or the year before or however long it takes you.  Just know that when it is your time, all of your MGM sisters will be there to welcome you into the family with open arms.

Christa Collins, MGMA 2013 - I’m so excited to see what you will bring to the family and I can’t wait to work with you personally. You were amazing all weekend and I am so happy for you. I know you will be a true inspiration to all of the girls who are new to the Miss Gay Missouri experience. 

Girls, the preliminaries are beginning to set dates. Please do not wait until the last minute to get your seat on the MGM 2014 bus. Miss Metro will be held July 21, 2013 at Sidekicks Saloon in Kansas City. We have also discussed possible dates for Miss Springfield and Miss Gay Kansas City. Be sure to check the website www.mgmpageantry.com or our Facebook page for preliminary updates and information on Miss Gay Missouri 2014.

  Ricky McRoy/Sparkle Iman, MGM 2008

April/May 2013 - Christa's Column & MGMA Board Newsletter

I would like to start this newsletter off with an introduction. I am Christa Collins (Christopher Barksdale-Burns) and, I am the new Miss Gay Missouri America 2013. I come to you very humbled and excited about my victory.

I am a newcomer myself to the the system, so I will tell you a bit about my history. I am a former dancer with the Kansas City Ballet where I danced, for 21 seasons. 17 of those years as a Principal or lead dancer. I have also been a part of two national touring companies. The Will Rogers Follies (as the Indian of the Dawn) and a very short run of Thoroughly Modern Millie. During this long period of performing I also studied voice at the University of Missouri Kansas City. I have gotten to work in opera houses both here and abroad as a singer and done other musical theatre shows and workshops all over the country.

My introduction to the pageant system came in 1994 when I became friends with China Collins.  After seeing her perform at a local club called the"Cabaret", we struck up a conversation about working together. I admitted to her that I may be new to the art form known as Female Impersonation, but I am not new to people and/or movement and putting the two of them together. So we began a friendship and a working relationship that is still growing and thriving and it's where I get my surname Collins. Later on, I met and worked with other performers, but one of my absolute favorites was and still is Lexsus Chaney. When she approached me about choreographing a talent for her, I immediately said, "YES". We worked for 5 months, 3 days a week, with many dancers, gymnast, and other performers to bring her winning talent of Smokey Joe's Cafe to life. It wasn't until later that I learned that everyone was always upset with me for yelling at them constantly to get it right. Practice does not make perfect, "Perfect Practice Makes Perfect"!  As a result she won talent at the state and national levels.

When I am asked about how or why I entered the business, I have one answer. I want to put my own stamp on it. I have helped in the background for years and now I want to play in the sandbox with all the other pretty girls. 

 Winning Miss Gay Missouri America is a huge thrill, but now I am ready for the work. I would like to be a positive step in the right direction. I want to see the pageant grow and add more preliminaries, so that Missouri will be a force to reckon with throughout the country. In the coming weeks, I will be contacting promoters to set up some summer and early fall prelims. I will also be contacting former promoters to get them back into our family.

 I am looking forward to seeing, working, and having a great time with all of the girls from this year's pageant and to making new friends. 

 I am so proud to be a part of a year and a system that had people in it like, Adria Andrews (who is one of the most gracious and accommodating people I have ever met), Kitty Denise Litter (a ferociously talented lady), Loreal K.C's Queen of Comedy (such an amazing person, an awesome promoter and great friend filled with the wisdom of this  business) and Trixie LaRue (such a sweet spirit and one of the kindest hearts around).  I am so honored to have gone through this event with all of you. I will continue to learn and grow not only from you ladies, but from the rest of our sisters that went on this journey with us. LaDreama Funn, thank you for you all of your kind words. And to Miss Diva Coppafeel , the best words of advice from the weekend that I will take with me all year, "Just be and stay YOU" . Thank you for that encouragement. I will keep that in my heart all year and beyond as I get ready for Miss Gay America.

I would also like to give a special shout out to Regina LaRae, Moltyn Decadance and Heidi Banks, for all of the love, laughter hard work and fierceness that they provided me with not only on this weekend but on a daily basis. I Love you all!! GO TEAM K.C. Thank you Sally Sparkles for being a true and shining "Symbol of Excellence"

 As I close this letter, we are entering into "AIDS WAlK" events all  over the country. Let us remember and honor those who have passed on and those still living with this disease. I would also like us to be mindful of the events that happened this past week . The Boston Marathon bombings and the fertilizer plant explosions in West, Texas. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We are all celebrants on this earth and living together sometimes makes us angry and caustic - but we are also survivors and  if we learn to love one another and try to understand each other's differences, this dance that we call life will be one amazing party.

Miss Gay Missouri America 2013,
Christa Collins 


 APRIL/MAY MGMA BOARD NEWSLETTER

Well the  40th Miss Gay Missouri America pageant has come and gone,  and  I must say that

despite all of the hard work and stress, it was worth it. We have much to celebrate and  so many people to thank:

Thank you to MCCGS: for the providing a very special space to hold  MGMA -  the venue was filled to capacity on final night with more than 500 pageant watchers in attendance. Kudos to EVERYONE that worked  back stage, from organizing music, tabulating , dressing  formers, stage managing , props, and back drops....  from working the  front  door, clean -up crew  , DJ - what an amazing group of people. Thanks to  all the  city preliminary promoters  for what they do throughout the year and our many business and community supporters throughout the state! If I have  forgotten anyone,  forgive  me , please know  you are  appreciated .

Standing before the capacity crowd, I felt "IT" energy, the very thing MGMA should be - the  building  and  everyone in it  was a buzz. Indeed, it felt like the glory days of our storied pageant.  Three years  ago, our  goal  for MGMA was  to give it a new birth , and  the past two years  were nothing short of amazing  and set  the stage for a fabulous final night  this  year to prepare the ground for the next 40 years. It  was  amazing,  It made  me  tear up to see  and  feel  the  energy in that room!

I hope our  new  MGMA 2013 CHRISTA COLLINS  realizes what a great night  it was for her to be crowned in such a fabulous venue, before the  packed  crowd.  I also hope  each of the  stelllar contestants know that  there  can only be one winner,  as we  say,  but  each and every one of  them "brought it" this  year. Our First Alternate  Adria Andrews equally has  a lot to be  proud of  this year.  S/he did an  amazing job and our two top girls  will represent Missouri well at Miss GAy America in St. Louis this October.  Believe me when I say that I wish we could send all of our  contestants  to MGA this  year  - the calibre of talent was just that good!

Christa - you were  a delight all  week end  long  , and you have a  very big  job to do this  year as  you mark the  start of the  next four decades  MGMA. Live your reign to its  fullest , and as  you witnessed over the pageant  weekend,  winning  MGMA really does  change  your  life. But remember, only you control the how your life changes . Be honest  , be fair,  be gracious.  Know that  you are  always MGMA even when not  in gown or crown... people like hearing  from you , be it in person, or  in print,  etc. Be the best MGMA  you can be  and  it will come  back to you ten fold and  reward  you more than you realize. Welcome to the  family  of  MGMA and we look forward  to seeing throughout your year and  what you do for the job you have  landed!

July 21 st  is our first 2014 prelim, Miss Metropolitan. It  is scheduled to be held  in Kansas City at Sidekicks. This is an open prelim, look  for  application s  and information  very soon! Contact  Vanessa Vincent  (Daniel Flier) or Brenda Liegh  for info  on Facebook  or  danieljflier@me.com.

Daniel Flier/Vanessa Vincent, MGM 1982