Miss Gay America pageant to return to Little Rock for crowning 'spectacular'

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — The 52nd annual Miss Gay America pageant is returning to Little Rock later this month to crown 2024's top drag queen during a four-night "spectacular."

Set to take place at the Robinson Center from Jan. 16 through 19, the pageant has become a national "symbol of excellence in female impersonation," the organization said in a news release.

Contestants from all across the United States will compete on stage in interview, evening gown, creative costume, and a talent segment, which event organizers say will be complete with costumes, sets, and dancers.

The final night ends with reigning Queen Tatiyanna Voche' showcasing Broadway-inspired performances before the crowning of Miss Gay America 2024.

Event organizers said returning to Little Rock for the third year is a very poignant homecoming as the first Miss Gay America in 1972 called Arkansas' capital city home.

Norman Jones, known by her stage name of Norma Kristie, was the first official Miss Gay America queen and would go on to own and operate the pageant from 1974 through 2008. Jones continues to own and operate the state's largest nightclubs: Triniti and Discovery.

Our efforts to position the city as a top destination for national events are highlighted by our embrace of LGBTQ travelers," said Gina Gemberling, president and CEO of the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau. "We proudly say If you’re big on love, you’re big on Little Rock."

Popular shows like "RuPaul's Drag Race," "We're Here," and "Pose" have helped elevate the interest in drag performances in recent years, event organizers said.

This Miss Gay America pageant is the first to be held in Arkansas since Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and other Republican state lawmakers pushed for legislation that would've classified drag shows as "adult-oriented" businesses, putting them in the same category as adult theaters, strip clubs, and escort agencies. That classification would've banned performances of female impersonation from being within 1,000 feet of public schools, churches, and libraries.

The bill that would ultimately become law was scaled down from the original version filed by Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-District 26, after complaints of discrimination by the LGBTQ community and its allies.

The law restricts performances that includes performers who are nude or semi-nude and purposefully expose a specific anatomical area, prosthetic breasts or genitalia. To meet the definition, the performance must feature real or simulated sexual activities and be intended to appeal to “prurient” interests, a term that’s not defined in the legislation.

The performances would be banned from public property, being paid for with public funds and allowing minors to attend.

Opponents of the law still say the new restrictions are too vaguely worded and unnecessary.

Tickets for Miss Gay America 2024 are available on Ticketmaster or by calling the Robinson Center box office.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.