Our History

Established in 1972, the Miss Gay Arkansas America Pageant is the oldest preliminary to the Miss Gay America Pageant. 

 

Having been held before the first Miss Gay America contest, Miss Gay Arkansas is the oldest drag pageant in the world that is affiliated with a pageant system!

 

The first Miss Gay America Pageant was held in Nashville, TN, at the Watch Your Hat and Coat Saloon. Norma Kristie, representative of Arkansas, was crowned the first Miss Gay America in 1972.

 

Norma helped to promote the pageant until 1975 when he purchased the rights to the contest from the original owner. Incorporating in business as Norma Kristie, Inc., Norman Jones proudly promoted the Official Miss Gay America Pageant and its network of preliminary pageants across the nation until 2005. 

​

After selling Miss Gay America in 2005, Norman continued to promote Miss Gay Arkansas until 2007 when a group of former winners formed Arkansas Alumni Productions to promote the pageant. Norman again became the state promoter in 2016 and continued his promotion of the pageant until 2024. 

​

Miss Gay Arkansas America is now promoted by former pageant director, Jordan Bolton through MGAR Productions LLC. 

​

The Miss Gay Arkansas America pageant is filled with history. Many of our titleholders have placed in the Top 10 at the national pageant and two have captured the national title. Our city promoters, former winners, and contestants represent the best in their local communities and we couldn't be more proud to showcase these outstanding individuals each year at the state competition. 

​

CLICK HERE to view our former titleholders!