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July 2010 Edition Of
"The Excellence"
Coco's Corner
 This
month’s article starts off with a great bang because this was the month that
we celebrate diversity and take pride in who we are as a people and a community.
June is known all around the country as pride month because so many parades,
festivals and block parties all happen during this month. I was able to visit
the nation’s capital DC, my second home
Baltimore
MD
, and
St Petersburg
/
Tampa
Florida
my current home. I was excited about these trips because I’ve visited these
cities before but never been present for their pride events. The colorful
culture with rainbow flags, leather attire, fun, exotic, artistic, and cultured
people these celebrations are filled with many messages. One message rings out
more than any other, unity and acceptance. I’ll get to my experiences at all
these events but first and foremost I want you all to understand what I got from
these experiences and how I apply them to our pageant community. There are many
pageant systems in our community and all are unique and different in many ways.
Although we do posses differences we all embrace the art of performance. We all
have different rules and regulations that make up who we are as a system, but
just as we the gay community asks the world to accept us and respect us for our
differences, those request we have should start at home in our own communities.
These different pageantry systems give you, the artist, a choice in where you
would like to compete, It is very important that we embrace our freedom to
choose, however we as a community need to know and understand just that.
Acceptance of each other and our choices is very important to our advancement as
a community. With so many pageantry systems to choose from and thousands of
entertainers across the country we should encourage our young entertainers to
research and find the one that best fits them, pursue it, achieve it, and then
if you’d like to explore more go ahead and learn and grow but always remember
that if you cannot focus and concentrate on one goal at a time then it’s
probably not in your heart and if it’s not in your heart you will not respect
it and give it your all. I love all pageantry systems for different reasons. I
made my choice and am very proud of my choice because it best fits me and my
goals. If we all, promoters, sponsors, contestants and spectators learn to
put aside our discrimination against other pageantry systems we aren’t
involved in and embrace and support pageantry as a whole then and only then will
our pageantry community be strong enough to be publicized on national
television, get support and funding from major companies and society as a whole
will take notice and
through our unity they will learn about an art form like no other. There is no
strength in division. Just another topic for many of the chat boards to talk
about.
So,
I must say, with an invitation from Robert York, Jon Parks and the cast of
Ziegfelds/Secrets, my first celebration of gay pride was in DC and
it was a blast. John Kane promoter of Atlantic States and his Partner Matt
were also a part of the wonderful welcome I received. I was so excited that the
cast asked me to be a part of their production of a night of GLEE. The entire
show on Friday was songs from the hit television show and it was so much fun to
perform. Tatianna Voche’ put the whole show together, productions with dancers
and props it was fabulous. My two favorite numbers in the show were Kristina
Kelley performing “Bust the Windows out Your Car” and Jon Parks as Madonna
in “Vogue”. It was a grand way to start the weekend. Saturday before the
show I attended the parade but before I attended the parade I decide I’d grab
something to eat in the hotel lobby restaurant. As I ordered my food the phone
rang and it was my brother in
Miami
. (I come from a very loving, accepting, caring but religious family… my
brothers are preachers and my parents were as well when they were alive.) He
asked “Hey, where are you?” I replied I’m in DC at a pride event, he said
“well I just wanted to call because I just spent the last hour and a half
reading about you and Miss Gay America on the internet and I wanted to call you
and tell you how proud of you I am, I love you and support you in all your
dreams and endeavors.” I was speechless. My Pentecostal Pastor/ brother called
to express his love and support. I had tears of joy rolling down my eyes. The
acceptance of family is sometimes not something we all feel we need but even so
when it is expressed it is definitely not something we turn away from. I
then suddenly wasn’t hungry anymore. I knew I needed to eat because I had a
long fun-filled night at Ziefeld’s again. I ate my food really fast and headed
to Dupont circle to watch the festivities. It was so great to watch all the
different organizations coming down the parade route and before I knew it, it
was time to head to the bar and get ready for showtime. It was another great
night with a fabulous show cast. Sunday came rapidly but it was time to rise and
shine and put on make up in the A.M. First it was brunch arranged by John Kane
at a wonderful place called the Mansion. I have never seen anything like this
place in my life. If you are ever in D.C. this place is a place you must visit.
The brunch was unbelievable a spread of food in every room. The historic and
authentic place was filled with rooms and trapped doors behind bookshelves,
hideaways and secret passages, I was very intrigued by this place when I return
to DC hope I’ll get a chance to stay there. The brunch was something I
could have done all day but there was a festival on
Pennsylvania Avenue
and thanks to Miss DC Pride Destiny B Childs, I was schedule to perform on the
main stage where the backdrop was the
Capitol
Building
. To perform on the main stage at DC pride was a surreal experience. The energy
on the street was electrifying. Then Sunday night at Ziefeld’s was another
night filled with fun. We shared the stage with Frenchie Davis, an amazing
recording artist with a great down to earth personality. This was our third time
working together and it was amazing to hear her voice again. As
this weekend came to a close my trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to
Omega on a Monday night, I enjoy working there with Big Daddy and all the girls.
I always have a good time there. Let my hair down and enjoy. My trip to DC
wouldn’t have been possible without Robert York, Jon Parks, Ziegfeld’s and
John Kane, thank you guys for showing me DC Pride. After a great week in DC it
was time to go to another place I like to call my second home.
Baltimore
,
Maryland
, I love this place for several reasons. Roger Dimick and Chuck Bowers of the
Hippo know how to make you feel right at home and during gay pride you are going
to see several rainbows, but none like the ones you’ll see in
Baltimore
. I think what I love about
Baltimore
the most is that they love and respect the title of Miss Gay America but they
also get to know you the person and in many ways remind you and allow you to be
that normal human being as well. Many get caught up with the title and don’t
allow you to experience being a person too. As a person you smile, laugh, cry,
hurt, bleed and emotions are a part of who we all are. My experiences in
Baltimore
allow me to remember I am a person first. Spending time with Sue Nami-Miss
Maryland
2009 and Onyx Revlon –Miss Maryland 2010 was great I really enjoyed my time
with them. Sue Nami and I always had a bond from the day we met. Onyx and I can
truly say we are sisters down to the core. I loved performing at Bingo night at
Hippo and riding in the parade was amazing. Performing at the block party was
the best. On Sunday, the festival in the park was so much fun too. Performing at
the different stages was great and even though it was well in the 90’s and
HOTT
TT, it was all worth it. Thank you to Lady Lisa who I am so glad I got a
chance to meet , if you ever have an event and need me, just say the word and
I’m there. My
Maryland
family was great. Every time I’m in
Maryland
I get to experience some place new and this time it was Bunns… and all I can
say about this establishment is that I will always pay them a visit when I’m
in town. Sunday evening I got to perform at the block party hosted by Club Bunns,
along with many entertainers like Tommie Ross, Amaylia Black, Onyx Revlon and
Helena Hologram, Eric Rainbow, Ivana Black and The men of Rainbow, (
Roy
and Marlowe). Marlowe just want to
say thank you for showing me a great time in
Baltimore
, you were a gentleman and know how to treat a queen. Congrats on your system
International INC. I wish you much success. I am just a phone call away. Sushi
Nami (Justin/ Sue Nami’s Daughter)I had a great time at the harbor and the
gallery shopping and eating with you, I look forward to our days out and about.
Philip and Chris and Maddy thank you for again opening your home to me. Roger
Josie, Tia and the gang, thank you for your great hospitality and most of all
true friendship.
True friends are hard to find. You meet many people while on the road and
sometimes they don’t turn out to be the person they portrayed and that is
definitely ok, it’s when they don’t own up to who they are and allow you to
make decision to accept or reject them, then and only then you will know their
true intentions weren’t your friendship for who you are but friendship because
of what you posses. That hurts, but its growing pains of life on the road. Smile
and care for them still because that’s how you remain the person you are.
(Just another lesson learned on the road) You know who you are; I’m still
here, a real friend. I must say in
Maryland
I have a family and during pride family is important!
Next I was headed home to St. Pete/
Tampa
Florida
… this was a very welcoming homecoming and I didn’t
know they’d miss me so much. It was also pride week there. My boss, at the
flamingo Resort, where I am on show cast called to inform me that I wouldn’t
be on the float with the rest of the cast. I was Kind of shocked but he
continued to say Miss Gay America is going to be riding in her own convertible
in front of the float. I was just overjoyed. This was the best welcome home I
had ever received. Miss Gay America was home. A native Floridian, still living
in Florida had never received the honor of being Miss Gay America and St
Petersburg /Tampa Florida wanted to celebrate that during pride week. My weekend
began at the Honeypot in
Tampa
Ybor
City
, Steve Moss and Steven Donhue the owners of this establishment always welcome
me home with open arms… Toby the show director and all the girls I work with
there are a blast. This weekend the Friday cast was special to me because I got
to work with Alexis Mateo my long time friend and the one responsible for making
me look decent, (as she would call it) at Miss Gay America years past. Esme
Russell my mentor, the wise one, and Alisa Summers, Miss Florida USofA newcomer,
a young girl who’s willingness to listen and learn is going to help mold her a
promising career. Also my friend Jade (Rupauls Drag race season1) she loves
trips to Disney ALL DAY LONG!!! It was a great night with a
10 am
parade in the morning. It was well worth it. This parade route had many
families on it and it was very touching. Then it was followed by great shows at
the Flamingo Resort and a Sunday Tea Dance out of this world. It was good to be
back at home.
As Miss Gay America sometimes people don’t get to hear of your joy and pain,
but these experiences, are the things that make us human.
A few days before I wrote this I experienced one of the most painful things
I’ve ever had to endure and that was losing my puppy… he was poisoned by
something he digested and his kidney’s were failing. The selfish part of me
wanted them to try and save him after the doctor said there was nothing they
could do but watching him suffer and having to put him down was more than I
could bear. I never thought as Miss Gay America there would be a moment in my
reign where I would turn off my phone and not accept phone calls but this was
one day I was reminded that we are people first. I love my FENDI and his sister
P
RADA
will miss him but he’s taught me not to take what we have for granted, I‘m
just glad I was home to say my goodbye’s.
As I traveled this month I learned one thing, the power of unity is very strong.
If people learn to accept each other and unite, the gay community would be a
very powerful force. Until then we will still struggle and fight for our human
rights to live the lives we deserve.
Until then,
Much Unity and Respect,
Coco
Montrese
Miss Gay America 2010
From the desk
of Larry & Terry
 The Meaning of Pride…
As many of you know, June
is Gay Pride month. We were
fortunate enough to once more attend the St. Louis Pride. Kudos to the Pride St.
Louis Committee on yet another job well done. It was great
to see many of the “
America
” family including Tumara Mahorning, Sasha Nicole, Michelle McCauseland,
Veronica Leigh Taylor, Vicki Vincent, Erica Foxx,
Jade Sinclair, Tabbi Kat, Madison Elise, Dieta Pepsi, Joe Bradley and
many more. On Friday evening we attended a show at the Grey Foxx whereby Sasha,
Michelle, Erica and Tumara hosted an incredible show. Tumara, you were
spectacular and showed how drag should be performed. Michelle, as usual your
hilarious style of on-stage standup comedy was second to none. The on Saturday,
we attended the Pride Festival. The
weather was hot and humid, but the atmosphere was incredible. Then, the
highlight of the evening was witnessing the dynamic
Jennifer Holiday present her power house vocals that only she can
deliver. The parade on Sunday was a two hour event that was as good as usual. We
were thrilled to see Miss Gay Illinois America Mariah Candy proudly wear the
crown and look so beautiful while doing so. While each of the parade entries
were unique there was one particular group that really moved us, and that was
the “youth group”. There were 300 young gay men and women that was a very
powerful statement. While their purpose was to simply be seen as the “gays of
tomorrow” the statement they made was that they are the beginning of a new
generation that will have a much easier time being gay, than generations before.
It was an odd feeling to see them as they appeared so young but also very
emotional to witness that they were free to be themselves, due to the actions of
many, including those were part of “Stonewall”. It was great to realize that
life will go on in the gay world and that many of our future leaders were most
likely marching in the Pride St. Louis Parade. The same things happens each
year, with the Miss
Gay America pageant . Each
year, as we scan the group of contestants, we often visualize the future of this
pageant system and can smile when we see the level of talent and commitment that
is very evident in many of the contestants. Sadly, there will be some that will
never be fortunate enough to make the Top 10, but by and large, the crop of
contestants are strong and many are worthy of being called Miss Gay America. So
just like the young people marching in the
St. Louis
parade, the young contestants are there to learn and grow stronger so that they
can one day be called a “Symbol of Excellence”…
Granted, any of the young contestants have the same opportunity to win,
just as the veteran competitors, which is the beauty in the fairness of this
pageant system, but most likely, the new contestants are there to collect
techniques from their favorite competitors, so that they can apply the
techniques in efforts to one day achieve their dream of being the best of the
best. We are hearing from many across the country, that the contestants are
better prepared than ever and that there will be many that will give a very good
fight for a Top 10 position. So from what we hear, the veteran competitors
should show their best competition, because as we hear time and time again,
“the puppies are bringing it this year”… there have already been several
“upsets” this year, during competition in that some competitors whom may be
favored to win a contest, have not scored as well as expected and end up not
qualifying for the nationals. That
is why we always suggest that each competition should be treated as though it
was the national competition, in that contestants should bring their best
competition package. Otherwise, a less than excellent competition package
usually yields less than excellent results.
This month, we have experienced another kind of pride as well with Miss Gay
America 2010 Coco Montrese.
Coco
has traveled the country this past month participating in many Pride
celebrations across the country. And the positive comments keep rolling in.
Coco
is having an incredible reign and making the most of her year as Miss Gay
America. While, in a few short weeks, the pageant season will get into full gear
and will be non-stop through the end of September, it is great to see
Coco
making up for the first three months…
Coco
, the country loves you and you are clearly showing the world that you and
“excellence” through and through. We appreciate your efforts to make this
pageant system better than ever and clearly see that you will always be remember
as “one of the best”…
Until
Next Time!
Larry and
Terry
A Note From The Editor
The Excellence strives to be an informative newsletter delivered to the promoters,
contestants, audience and other supporters of the Miss Gay America Pageant System throughout the year. Should there be any issue or topic of discussion a promoter would like to see addressed (or to write an article to be published) in a future newsletter, please contact the editor via
Email.
Please note, any article, comments, or opinions faxed, mailed, (postal or electronics),
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