This year's Miss Gay Muncie Pageant brought members of the gay and straight communities together through means of entertainment.
"We bring out quite a lot of straight people to support us," manager of the Miss Gay Muncie pageant Gary Allen said. "It shows a positive face to the community."
This year's Miss Gay Muncie was "Rose Petal", whose real name is Brett Brasher. Brasher is lives in Indianapolis but is originally from Muncie.
"Tara Michaels," also known as John McCreery, from Muncie, was this year's first runner-up.
Both will compete for the title of Miss Gay Indiana. The competition will be held in Indianapolis July 9, 10 and 11.
Ultimately, contestants compete for the title of Miss Gay America, which will be held Oct. 8 to 12 in Little Rock, Ark.
Contestants were judged on interviews, talent, evening gown and creative costume categories.
"This pageant is just like the traditional Miss America pageant in many ways," manager of Miss Gay Indiana Cleo Brasher said. Brasher is the director of Great Lakes Productions, a franchise for Miss Gay America.
Rose Petal won the evening gown and interview portions of the contest and placed second in creative costume and third in talent. She impersonated Judy Garland performing at Carnegie Hall for the talent portion.
"I am elated at the results," president of Signature Productions David Keeley said. "I have full confidence in the girls." Signature Productions manages Miss Gay Muncie.
Rose Petal came through with the most consistent high points, Keeley said.
"The top-three contestants made stellar performances," Keeley said. "My judges had a tough job."
The panel of five judges included former Miss Gay Indiana "Leana Myers," also known as Jason Winton, and former Mr. Gay Indiana Jeff Hooper.
Contestants for the Miss Gay Indiana Pageant must have been an Indiana resident for at least six months.
This year marks the 25th anniversary for Miss Gay Indiana. Brasher hopes to gather all past winners for the celebration.
There are six official preliminary rounds for Miss Gay Indiana including Miss Gay Muncie, Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Muncie was the second preliminary round implemented in Indiana after Indianapolis. This is the ninth consecutive year for the Miss Gay Muncie Pageant.
Not all states have state preliminaries, Brasher said. Those who live in a nonparticipating state may compete through regional pageants.
"Some western states are lacking in gay population," Brasher said.
Advertisements were made through "The Word," a newspaper targeted to the gay community, and through word of mouth, Allen said.
"There is a great deal of straight following on the state and national levels of the pageants," Brasher said.
Entertainment acts such as "Amanda Nicole," last year's Miss Gay Indiana and last year's Mr. Gay Indiana performed between rounds.
Miss Gay pageants differ from Mr. Gay pageants because contestants dress in drag.
"This pageant helps to bring members of the gay and straight communities together in a positive way," Allen said. "It is also really fun."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
