Asia's Accolades- November 2015

Greetings everyone from Texas. I would like to start off by saying WOW! What an amazing week in Memphis. It was truly an amazing experience meeting so many new people and seeing so many old friends. I am blessed to have this experience
and I am honored to be able to share my year with all of you. I want to say thank you to all the dressers, dancers, and promoters of every single contestant at Miss Gay America. It really does take a huge team to produce all of the amazing things that the audience sees on stage, and on behalf of all the contestants at Miss Gay America, we really do thank you.

I would also like to congratulate Miss Gay America 2015 Blair Williams on such a spectacular year. You have left such large shoes to fill. You have made your mark as a legend in this art form and
we will forever love you.

I would like to share my experience and my history
with Miss Gay America. In 2002 I did 3 city preliminaries to Miss Gay Texas America and was dead last in every one. Unfortunately, I did not qualify that year to go to Miss Gay Texas. On final night of Miss Gay Texas, I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Gay America 2002 Sabrina White. She, along with Donna Day and Whitney Paige offered me words of encouragement and give me the fire I needed to try again. The next year, I ended up qualifying to compete at Miss Gay Texas America and finished 14th out of 28. That year Miss Gay America 2003 Dominique Sanchez took the time out to speak to me and tell me how much potential she saw in me and again encouraged me to continue trying for the title. The following year I did much better in the contest and finally began to see worth in myself. However, even though I was
was showing improvement, my dream still seemed so far away. Discouragement began to set in, and thus began my break from the Miss Gay America Pageant system. Fast forward 10 years, and I can still hear the voices of Sabrina White, Donna Day, Whitney
Paige, and Dominique Sanchez telling me that I had the tools within me to be Miss Gay America. I spent a decade searching for the characteristics of Miss Gay America. Then one day in early 2015, I realized I needed to look no further than within myself. Thus began my journey back home to Miss Gay America.

Being Miss Gay America is an amazing feeling that I want so many of my sisters to one day have. I encourage all contestants past and present to find your excellence within yourself. Accept yourself for your strengths and embrace your weaknesses. Be the best Miss Gay America that you can be every day. It is not about rhinestones, tiaras, and high heels. It is about love, dedication, and a commitment to excellence in everything you do. I invite all
of you to be Miss Gay America along with me. Share this journey with me. I will encourage, support, and uplift you to my full ability. I look forward to striving for excellence with you all and I am excited to make lifelong connections and memories through the Miss Gay America organization.

All My Best,
Asia O'Hara
Miss Gay America 2016

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