About the Miss Gay America Organization
Miss Gay America was founded in 1972 at the Watch Your Hat and Coat Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee, where Norman Jones—known on stage as Norma Kristie—was crowned the very first titleholder. Created by Jerry Peek, the pageant was established to celebrate, preserve, and elevate the art of female impersonation.
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In 1975, Norman Jones purchased the pageant and dedicated the next 30 years to building it into one of the most prestigious and respected competitions in entertainment. Today, Miss Gay America is the longest-running pageant of its kind and is produced under Mad Angel Entertainment.
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Known as the Symbol of Excellence, Miss Gay America sets the standard for professionalism, artistry, and showmanship. Contestants are evaluated across multiple categories—including talent, evening gown, on-stage question, and personal interview—ensuring each titleholder represents the system with poise, intelligence, and performance excellence.
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With nearly 30 state and regional preliminaries leading to the national competition, the Miss Gay America system is highly structured and fiercely competitive. Each year, preliminary winners and first alternates advance to nationals for several days of competition, culminating in a Top 10 showdown for the crown.
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Looking to the future, current owners Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman will step down in January 2027, marking a new chapter in the legacy of Miss Gay America. At that time, current co-owner Monica Mitchells will become the sole owner of the Miss Gay America pageant system, continuing its tradition of excellence while guiding the organization forward with vision and integrity.
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For more than five decades, Miss Gay America has remained a premier platform for excellence—attracting audiences from all backgrounds who appreciate the dedication, discipline, and artistry required to earn one of the most respected titles in entertainment.
With over 25 years of experience in the Miss Gay America system, Monica Mitchells (also known as Rich Billings) has made significant contributions to the community. Beginning his journey as a contestant, he has since evolved into a city promoter and regional promoter, winning multiple city preliminaries and receiving numerous accolades for her work as a promoter.
In 2026, Monica/Rich under his business 2 Queens and a Princess LLC will take on the role of co-owner for Miss Gay America, Miss Gay America Femme, and Gay America Esquire, transitioning to sole ownership in January 2027. Committed to upholding the legacy of these esteemed titles, he dedicates his efforts to fostering growth and excellence within the organization.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Monica/Rich resides in Atlanta with his husband of 21 years.