About Miss Gay America

     

     

Miss Gay America Official Pageant Rules and Regulations

Contestant Regulations

1.      Contestants must be male, at least the age of 21 prior to the date of the pageant entered. A state issued (with photograph) identification must be provided at the time of registration. If for any reason the promoter finds any cause to investigate the age or residency status of the contestant, reasonable measures will be taken for that investigation and the contestant will be informed if just validation is found disqualifying them under this rule. All contestants must be a citizen of the United States .

 2.      A (90) ninety day residence is required for closed and open pageants for City and State prelims, unless the State pageant is purchased as a “Regional preliminary”.  Additionally, the winner of a state pageant should reside in the state during his reign. Failure to remain a resident of the state pageant for the title which he holds may result in revocation of the state title.

 3.       Entry by a contestant who is currently in open criminal proceedings for a felony, currently on felony probation or is in current retribution for a crime, will be denied entry as a contestant into any preliminary of the Official Miss Gay America pageant. A contestant who has successfully completed felony probation, or whose criminal case is dismissed, will be eligible to enter. Verification of criminal status may be checked. More than one misdemeanor will not be tolerated and could likewise result in entry denial. Any contestant found to be untruthful about their criminal status will be permanently removed from eligibility within the system.

 4.       Judging will be based on a total points accumulated system. Score sheets will be furnished by L & T Entertainment. Ties will be broken by the answering of questions by the persons involved in the “tied’ score. If such “tie-breaking” action is required, the “tie-break” question will be scored according to the On-Stage Question category matrix. The Pageant scoring will be done on a cumulative basis. The practice of dropping the high and low scores will not be tolerated in the national, state, regional or city pageants as well as any pageants leading to an official preliminary pageant. The reigning representative may question a judge’s score and may eliminate the judge’s score sheet altogether, if the scores are deemed to be biased; however the practice of automatically dropping scores is not permitted by anyone.

 5.      It is the responsibility of the Promoters, to ensure the contestants that the most qualified panel of judges has been selected. Promoters must provide to the Judges, at minimum, a Judges Book that contains the following information:

  • Category Descriptions (should be provided in advance of the contest)
  • Category Point Summary
  • Scoresheets
  • Judges Regulations and Other Information (i.e. schedule of events should be provided in advance of the contest)

 Other Helpful information to the Panel of Judges would include literature from L & T Entertainment (letter entitled, “What Are Judges Looking For In A Miss Gay America”, articles entitled, “A Good Judge” and the 5- Category Articles published by L & T Entertainment)-available via download from the MGA web site (“About MGA” button).

For more information, please refer to the “Judges Regulations and General Information” section of this manual. An informed Judges Panel will clearly select the best of the contestants.

 6.      Promoters should furnish an “Application Packet” to the Contests, that should include, at minimum, the following information:

  • Contestant Application (the required standardized application is located within this manual)
  • Opening Number Requirements
  • Contestant Regulations
  • Category Descriptions
  • Category Point Summary
  • Miss Gay America Job Description Summary
  • Pageant Schedule

 7.      Contestants will be judged in the following categories: Evening Gown, Solo Talent, Talent, and the two types of interviews: Male Interview and Onstage Interview. All direct Regional and State contests are required to hold all categories of the competition. The Solo Talent category is optional, for City Preliminary contests only.

 8.      While contestants may receive great prize packages from promoters, contestants are strongly encouraged to not solely rely on the prize packages from the promoters, for funding sources to the national competition. While L & T Entertainment will not tolerate any promoter who reneges on the prize package obligation, from time to time, events beyond control occur, therefore contestants should always attempt to have a “Plan B” in terms of funding sources.

 9.      Competition music (CD-R only) must be submitted in quality condition (i.e properly labeled and with no damage that affects “play” and only one tract per CD). Any substandard music submitted will receive administrative point deductions. A back-up CD-R will be required should your original be misplaced or is deemed to be “damaged”. Please see category descriptions for further information relative to proper music labeling.

 10.   The use or dispensing of any illegal drug will not be tolerated while a contestant (or entertainer) is participating in the Official Pageant, or preliminary thereof. Immediate disqualification will result for those who break this rule. Contestants (as well as their helpers and dancers) may be disqualified if usage of drugs is detected in the contestant’s room, luggage, or on their person etc. or if actions of the contestant, or those affiliated with the contestant, are thought to not be in the best interest of the Miss Gay America pageant system. Contestants are responsible for their assistants and dancers and will be penalized if anyone affiliated with their presentation is found to be in violation of this regulation.

 11.  Any talent presentation is acceptable, except those presentations that might cause injury to the audience or to other contestants. Pyrotechnics are not allowed. NO FIRE (including but not limited to a lit cigarette) OR LIQUIDS, including but not limited to water, WHATSOEVER. Any violators will receive a zero (0) in the category for which this regulation violation occurred. For more information on category description, please refer to the Category Description section of the www.missgayamerica.com website.

 12.  Any contestant caught in the act of stealing will immediately be disqualified and removed from the location of the pageant. Additionally, non-compliance with this regulation will result in the permanent disqualification from entry into the Miss Gay America pageant, or any preliminary thereof.

 13.   Any contestant whose actions are interpreted as demeaning or disrespectful to the title of Miss Gay America will be disqualified. L & T Entertainment reserves the right of final determination of what is considered to be demeaning behavior.

 14.   The use of any type hormone is not allowed. Absolutely no breast implants, cosmetic or body enhancing implants below the neck or silicone (or any other similar type product/chemical) injections, excluding the face, will be allowed before or during the contestant’s reign. This includes any city, state, regional or national reign. L & T Entertainment reserves the right to require a medical examination or physical examination in the event that a contestant is suspected of violation of this regulation. Likewise, L & T Entertainment, or an official representative (to be approved by L & T Entertainment) may require an examination based on “visual observation” at which case the contestant must consent, or face disciplinary actions, including suspension or disqualification.

 15.  Any contestant who is chosen as winner of a closed or open State pageant, must reside within that state during his reign. Failure to reside in the state, during the reign, will result in the revocation of the state title as well as any remaining cash, prize and appearance stream.

 16.  The contestant chosen as first alternate must be prepared to fulfill the duties of the titleholder, if for any reason the titleholder is unable to fulfill his duty. The first alternate winner does not have right of refusal to be promoted to the titleholder position, if the opportunity occurs with zero (0) days to six (6) months from the date of that particular contest. Should the contestant decline the promotion, within the aforementioned timeline, a two-year minimal suspension, shall be levied against that contestant. If the promotion opportunity occurs after six (6) months from the date of that particular contest, the first alternate has acceptance option, without declination penalty.

 17.  Revocation of a contestants title or pageant placement will result in the requirement of the contestant, to repay any cash or prizes previous distributed. Failure to repay to cash or prizes (or cash equivalent) will result in the suspension of the contestant, until repayment is completed.

18.  Contestants who have qualified or intend to qualify for the next level of competition, may not adjudicate a Miss Gay America system contest on any level during the same pageant season.  

19.   All contestants must agree to follow the Standards of Conduct of Contestants and Titleholders. All titleholders and contestants of any Miss Gay America System Preliminary  must adhere to these minimum guidelines:

·        Present themselves professionally, as defined by L & T Entertainment while representing their respective titles at all times

·        Never demean the pageant or title they represent

·        Never cause substantial problems for their promoters or for those for whom they perform

·        Never become intoxicated while representing their respective title

·        Never participate in any type of argument or altercation, except as a mediator, while representing their title

·        Attempt to solve any problems with Promoters and/or co-performers in a peaceful manner and in good faith. Problems may be mediated through the Miss Gay America Board of Advisors however, the executive office of L & T Entertainment must be informed of all issues. All complaints must be documented in written (typed) form for an opinion/official mediation from the executive office of L & T Entertainment.

·        Never lecture the audience, only provide quality entertainment

20.  Violating the Code of Ethics for Titleholders may result in the disqualification/revocation of  

the title and/or jeopardize the winner’s/first alternate’s standing with L & T Entertainment. L & T Entertainment shall make final decision for revocation of any titleholder or qualification position, on any level.

 

21.  Promoters should file a written request, to L & T Entertainment, for “review” of the status of a titleholders who:

a)      Do not present themselves in a professional manner.

b)      Demean the pageant or the title they hold.

c)      Cause substantial problems for the promoter, those with whom they

perform or those for whom they perform

d)      Are using or dispensing illegal drugs.

e)      Are intoxicated while representing their respective title.

f)        Are in direct violation of any regulation noted in the Promoters Handbook

g)      Are in violation of any directive that is give in consideration of the best interest of the pageant

h)      Is tardy or absent from officially sanctioned pageant event

 22.        Any contestant who has qualified or has intention to qualify to any preliminary of Miss Gay  America (i.e State/Regional pageants or on the National level) may not judge (during the year in which  they intend to compete in the next level pageant), any State or Regional preliminaries,  that is designated  as a preliminary in the Miss Gay America system. That is, a former “state titleholder” may judge a city
 preliminary for the state pageant in which she was a former titleholder.

23.      Administrative point (AP) deductions will be issued by L & T Entertainment, the reigning Miss Gay  America , or other assignees as approved by L & T Entertainment. Administrative Point deductions will be applied to the total accumulative score of the contestants and will usually be  in increments of twenty-five
(25) points per infraction except where otherwise noted within this handbook for promoters.  

Regulation infractions that will justify administrative point deductions includes but not limited to:

 

·        Regulation infractions that will justify administrative point deductions includes but not limited to:

·        Exceeding allotted time for talent set-up and take-down

·        Music submitted that is not appropriately labeled

·        Music submitted that contains more than one track

·        Application Questionnaire submitted that is note properly completed or not in typed/printed format

·        Application submitted after the October 01 deadline

·        Direct violation of any category (i.e. using an item deemed as a prop with solo talent or exceeding the talent set-up time), unless the category descriptions otherwise states a greater penalty

·        Tardiness for scheduled events of the pageant

·        Non-compliance with requirements for Presentation Costume

·        Non-compliance with Dressing Room Policies

 

Administrative Point deductions will not be issued by the judges but rather from L & T   Entertainment and/or its assigns including, the reigning Miss Gay America or/the the promoter.    

 For multi-day pageants, Administrative Point deductions will carry forward into final night competition.

 For more information concerning competition requirements and expectations of titleholders of the Miss Gay America pageant system, please refer to the following:

Ø      The Miss Gay America Category Descriptions

Ø      The Miss Gay America Job Description Summary

Ø      The www.missgayamerica.com web site

 

 

 

REGULATIONS FOR PRELIMINARY PAGEANT PROMOTERS

 

  1. Promoters must positively identify their contestants (via state issued (with photo) identification). All contestants must be male, at least 21 years of age and must be a citizen of the United States . It is the responsibility of the promoter to validate, (via authentic photo identification or other credible documentation to support residency). that a contestant is eligible to enter the contest including meeting citizenship and residency requirements.

 

  1. All preliminary promoters must renew, via signed Franchise Agreement, their preliminary pageant agreements, not later than December 31 other the current calendar year. All pageant franchise fees must be paid in full prior to April 1st, unless otherwise required by L & T Entertainment, or 30 days prior to the contest, whichever should occur first, for each pageant season . L & T Entertainment will be given the discretion of arranging financial payments, as long as pageant fees are paid prior to the scheduled contest date and/or June 1st, whichever comes first. All new promoters will be required to pay in full and in advance, before their pageant will be regarded as an official preliminary.   If a promoter fails to renew the respective pageant, the pageant will be canceled, the pageant will revert back to the sole management of L & T Entertainment and another promoter may be named within that state or region. L & T Entertainment reserves the right, with or without cause, to renew each franchise annually.

 

  1. All promoters must parallel their rules and regulations with the rules and regulations of the Official Miss Gay America Pageant and adhere to the written pageant agreement. Alterations, including regulation additions of any kind, must be approved by the national office.

 

  1. State Promoters must require at least a three (3) month residency prior to their preliminary. State preliminaries may only draw contestants from that state for which the pageant exists. Only a regional pageant may draw from a multi-state area. There will be no exceptions.

 

  1. Pageant promoters have the authority and the right to either accept or deny, with or without cause, any or all applications submitted for contestant consideration. Although city or other preliminaries may have qualified contestants for either that state or regional pageant, the state or regional promoter will not be forced to accept applications that are deemed unacceptable in the operation of the preliminary, unless the national office deems the denial unsatisfactory and the reasons baseless. Reason for denial may include the fact that the promoter is of opinion that the entry of the contestant would not be in the best interest of the contest. The state or regional promoter must at the time of denial of the application, issue by registered letter to the disallowed contestant, a thorough explanation of the denial. This denial may be appealed to the executive office and the appeal procedure will be followed such as in the removal of a crown/title. The executive office will retain the right of final authority in this and all pageant matters.

 

  1. The reigning Miss Gay America must attend all days of the official preliminary pageant schedule (preliminary nights and final night-in the case of a multi-day pageant) of the state and regional pageants. While the preliminary promoters shall be required to pay no less than $250.00 for the “final night” appearance of the reigning Miss Gay America, the reigning Miss Gay America appearance fee for preliminary night competition (for multi-day pageants) shall be no less than $150.00 per night. Additionally promoters are required to compensate for travel expenses including (airfare or fuel allowance and lodging). Travel cost also includes any reasonable additional “bag-check” expenses incurred by Miss Gay America for air travel. Additional “bag check” expenses shall be limited to the actual expense for one-bag (for a one-day event) or two-bags (for a two day event)  A promoter may, at his discretion, may compensate a higher amount. 
  1. Preliminary promoters will, at their own expense, provide ample advertising for their preliminary throughout the state or region they encompass. All advertising must contain the “Official Preliminary Gay America Pageant logo”. Additionally, such advertisement shall contain the current preliminary pageant titleholder AND/OR the current Miss Gay America, as the focal emphasis of the advertisement. If a promoter distributes a “souvenir program” for the contest, the program, should at minimum, contain photo of the reigning Miss Gay America titleholder.
  1. Performance fees, travel arrangements and other fees will be discussed at least four (4) weeks prior to the planned preliminary. All travel arrangements for Miss Gay America (or official representative) will be prepaid. All performance fees or representative fees will be paid after the performance of the persons involved. Airfare arrangements should be made at least four (4) weeks in advance to realize maximum savings. Travel arrangements must be made and paid for at least 30 days before the scheduled preliminary. This is to realize maximum airfare discounts. Full payment of preliminary pageant fees, unless otherwise approved by L & T Entertainment, must be paid before any travel arrangements will be considered for Miss Gay America to attend a preliminary.

 

  1.  Miss Gay America’s performance will be regulated as to parallel with the pageant’s schedule. At no time will Miss Gay America perform less than twice, unless timing does not allow. Miss  Gay America is not required to perform more than two times, and may do so at his option, provided that the administrative duty requirement is not compromised as Miss Gay America is responsible for other administration duties, in addition to performances. Promoters should structure their contest in a manner that causes no greater than normal stress to the contest and allows Miss Gay America sufficient time to complete her required duties. No other special guest of the promoters will substitute for Miss Gay America’s performance. Miss Gay America can not be required to emcee, judge, or perform any other preliminary duties. He may do so at his discretion. 
  1.  Miss Gay America or the representative of L & T Entertainment will have full control, and on the spot questioning of the promoter, and judges chosen for the preliminary. All questions concerning this agreement of the promoter, judges, and contestants will be settled in an orderly fashion with Miss Gay America or the representative of L & T Entertainment making the decision as to what would be good for the preliminary as well as the Official Miss Gay America Pageant. In no instance shall a promoter NOT have full knowledge of any adverse action regarding their preliminary, that is, the promoter must be included as well as representatives of L & T Entertainment, in all communications regarding their contest.
  1. Miss Gay America or the representative of L & T Entertainment may, at their discretion, disqualify a judge or a score sheet that does not parallel the criteria used for judging a segment of competition. Should a judge be disqualified during competition, scores of the disqualified judge will not be included in the total accumulative score of the contestants and the total accumulative score will comprise of scores from the remaining panel of judges. L & T Entertainment reserves the right to refuse a certain judge for any preliminary to the Miss Gay America system. Promoters should, to their ability, ensure the highest quality and most qualified panel of judges. For more information concerning judges, please see the Judges Etiquette and Judges-General Information section of this Handbook.
  1. Preliminary pageants may use the following sources of entertainment for their respective pageants (preferred in the below order ):

a)      Current and former titleholders of that particular pageant (ex.  Miss Gay Hawaii America 1990)

b)      Former Miss Gay America national titleholders

c)       “Top 10” contestants of the most recent Miss Gay America Pageant

d)      Any Contestants from the most recent Miss Gay America Pageant

e)      Current titleholders of another national pageant system, provided the national titleholder is a former titleholder of that particular contest (ex. Miss Gay Hawaii US of A).

f)        A local entertainer or national entertainer (not part of the America system), provided that L & T Entertainment is advised of and issues approval of the entertainer for which the promoter wants to use (this option is not preferred and is an exception to the sources of entertainment regulation). If the promoter exercises this option, L & T Entertainment must approve the choice of the entertainer in advance of the contest advertisement and the promoter should ensure that the entertainer/emcee is clearly provided with the Entertainer/Emcee Regulations that are clearly defined in the Handbook.  

Promoters are strongly encouraged to carefully consider entertainers that will provide quality entertainment and to validate the values of the Miss Gay America pageant system. Additionally, entertainers should be selected so as to not minimize contestants within their contest. L & T Entertainment reserves the right to refuse a certain entertainer from appearance to any preliminary of the Miss Gay America pageant system. There will be no exceptions unless otherwise approved by L & T Entertainment.  

Unless otherwise approved by L & T Entertainment, a promoter shall not use another national titleholder as entertainer for their respective pageant, unless said national titleholder is a “former titleholder” of that particular contest (ex. Miss Gay Hawaii America 1990 is the current Miss Gay US of A, then the current Miss Gay US of A may make appearance as entertainer). In the event that a former contest titleholder is a reigning national titleholder of another national pageant system, said former shall be announced and advertised first as a former titleholder and second, as the national titleholder (ex. the entertainer should be first announced as Miss Gay Hawaii America 1990/Miss Gay US of A 2010). In the aforementioned instance, the national titleholder may (at the promoters option) perform a “crown song” while in their respective crown however, during the coronation ceremony, only “America” system titleholders will be allowed to be on-stage during the coronation ceremony, while wearing their crown. The only other time that another crown will be acceptable onstage is be during an official "walk of titles" or other official acknowledgement of visiting titles.  

  1.  Preliminary promoters should use good judgment in scheduling special entertainment in their preliminaries. The performance of Miss Gay America will take precedence over all other entertainment. Miss Gay America will be given first choice of all talent presentations, (with the exception of the same talent presented by a contestant.) Miss Gay America will get “TOP BILLING” in all preliminaries, that is, the reigning Miss Gay America and the reigning preliminary pageant titleholder should be the “featured” entertainers. 
  1. Promoters are responsible to ensure that all entertainers and emcees clearly understand the regulations of their service to the contest, as emcee and/or entertainer. Therefore, the promoter must ensure that a copy of the Entertainer/Emcee Regulations, as detailed within this Handbook, is provided and/or posted for review, so as to ensure a clear understanding of expectations relative to their job responsibility.
  1.  Miss Gay America’s initial introduction should be made at presentation of the contestants at the opening of the pageant. Miss Gay America’s first appearance should be a crown appearance and Miss Gay America’s final salute will be a crown appearance (explanation: Miss Gay America will wear her crown for opening and closing appearance.)
  1.  Promoters will excuse any contestant from their preliminary who has won any current year Miss Gay America preliminary. Once a contestant has qualified for the next level of contest, they are obligated to fulfill their commitment to compete on the next level and may not resign their position as first alternate in order to enter another preliminary. 
  1.  Preliminary promoters should disqualify/suspend from entry into their pageant, any contestant or potential contestant who:

a)      Has been the winner in that preliminary before (exception to this is if the preliminary pageant has changed ownership since the contestant has won the preliminary title in which case the promoter has the option to allow entry to a prior titleholder).

b)      Does not present themselves in a professional manner.

c)      Does not abide by the rules and regulations of the preliminary.

d)      Possesses an ability to cause substantial problems, as to their personal                                                            performance history.

e)      Is using hormones, has breast implants, silicone injections, or other similar type products or chemicals BELOW THE NECK.

  1.  Preliminary promoters MUST use the scoring system provided by L & T Entertainment. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. (L & T Entertainment will furnish score sheets for Male Interview, Solo Talent, Talent, Evening Gown, and Stage Interview.) No other score sheets may be used. Promoters are allowed to use the “computer-based” spreadsheet format, provided by L & T Entertainment, otherwise, the “hard copy” scoresheets are required for use. Said “computer-based” score sheet is available, from L & T Entertainment, upon request. Only the “approved” (by L & T Entertainment) computer based score sheet tabulation program may be used. 

a)      The master score sheet must be available to Miss Gay America or the representative of L & T Entertainment immediately upon request. The master score sheet will be posted in the contestant dressing room, for contestant viewing,(or a copy provided to the contestants) immediately after the contest.

b)       Promoters of direct Regional and State preliminary contests are required to have all 5 categories (Male Interview, Evening Gown, Talent, Solo Talent, Talent and On Stage Question) of competition, during their pageant so as to better prepare their contestants for the national contest. The Solo Talent category is optional, only in City Preliminary contests. In the event that a preliminary is a multiple day pageant, the Male Interview category and Solo Talent category (if used) scores will be carried over to the final night scores, and all other categories will be re-judged.  

  1. The Advisory Board of Directors may be used to lend expertise and assistance to the promoters in production of their preliminaries.
  1.  Preliminary promoters may be groups, bars, organizations (profit or non-profit) or interested individuals who possess the ability to organize, produce, direct, and financially support a proposed preliminary. L & T Entertainment reserves the right to refuse franchise purchase to any person/group with or without reason.
  1. A promoter may have his/her pageant revoked if the promoter:

a)      Does not abide by the rules and regulations of the Official Miss Gay America Pageant.

b)      Fails to arrange travel accommodations for Miss Gay America or a representative (approved by L & T Entertainment) within a reasonable time for his/her   preliminary.

c)      Has been found guilty of misrepresentation in signing the pageant agreement.

d)      Has been proven involved in “contest-fixing” or scoring manipulation in  any preliminary.

e)      Allows the judging panel, entertainers, contestants, or any others affiliated with the pageant,  to conduct themselves in a manner unbecoming to the Miss Gay America Pageant, and/or the Rules for Judge ’s Etiquette.

f)        Does not renew his/her pageant.

g)      Does not pay all advertised prize money.

h)      Transfers pageant to another party without the written consent of L & T Entertainment.

i)        Conducts his/her self in a manner demeaning to L & T Entertainment and/or the Miss Gay America Pageant.

j)        Does not have pageant fees paid at least 30 days prior to the preliminary, or June 01, whichever comes first, unless otherwise required and/or approved by L & T Entertainment.

k)      Does not present themselves, act or make decisions to be in the best interest of their contest or the Miss Gay America pageant system.  

  1. Preliminary promoters will be responsible for the entry fee of their representatives to the Official Miss Gay America Pageant. This entry fee must be paid to L & T Entertainment and will be included in the total franchise/pageant fee…
  1. All rules and regulations will be strictly enforced. Any violation will disqualify the contestant from participation in the Official Miss Gay America Pageant. The executive office reserves the right to disqualify contestants and/or promoters and revoke their pageants if their contest is deemed in violation of the rules and regulations including actions that are not in the best interest of the Miss Gay America pageant system. THIS RULING WILL INCLUDE THE PROTEST OF ANY CONTEST PRELIMINARY BY THE REIGNING MISS GAY AMERICA. 

The executive office will investigate the pageant and/or contestant in protest and make the final decision based on WRITTEN REPORTS from all parties involved.

  1.  Promoters should file a written request for “review” of the status of a titleholders who:

a)      Do not present themselves in a professional manner.

b)      Demean the pageant or the title they hold.

c)      Cause substantial problems for the promoter, those with whom they

perform or those for whom they perform

d)      Are using or dispensing illegal drugs.

e)      Are intoxicated while representing their respective title.

f)        Are in direct violation of any regulation noted in the Promoters Handbook

g)      Are in violation of any directive that is give in consideration of the best interest of the pageant

  1. The Official Miss Gay America Pageant, or preliminaries thereof, reserves the right to review the actions of any and all city, state and regional titleholders. If their actions are found to be detrimental to the Official Miss Gay America Pageant system, sanctions may be applied. Titleholders have the right to a written appeal to L & T Entertainment. In order to ensure proper documentation, a written response from the promoter leveling the charges and/or rule infraction'(s) committed by the titleholder or persons involved, stating those violations or the rules and regulations and showing proper cause for the withdrawal of the title, will be requested. A detailed description of the charges will be requested and a copy of those charges, along with an appeal from will be sent to the person(s) involved in the infraction(s). A written response will be required of the indiviual(s) on which the charges have been leveled. 

After careful consideration and review, the decision of L & T Entertainment will be final! A time limit of 10 calendar days will be allowed for the purpose of appealing a request by a promoter. As long as an appeal or a request for an appeal is pending, the title will remain with the winner of respective pageant. Should the time limit expire and no appeal be pending, the decision of the promoter is final. The decision of the appeal by the corporate office of L & T Entertainment is final. If the title of the current titleholder is removed, the 1st alternate (then 2nd alternate if the 1st alternate is unwilling/unable) shall then be asked to serve as the official titleholder. Should either of the placements be unwilling/unable, then an official representative can be appointed however the national office shall make final approval of the representative.  

  1. Pageant promoters are to be in complete control of their contest including the enforcement of all  rules and regulations for entertainers and should clearly advise entertainers of certain rules,

Including, but not limited to the prohibition of excessive use of alcohol or the use of illegal drugs, and the use of  “inappropriate language” during the contest.  

  1. Promoters shall send, to the next level pageant, two representatives for their contest. Promoters may, at their discretion, send, to the next level pageant, alternates to their winner and first alternate, as to the schedule of placement in their pageant. Such as 2nd alternate, 3rd alternate, etc. No contestant will be accepted in the National Pageant that has not at least competed in an official preliminary. Exceptions to this regulation would be that there were only two contestants to enter a contest and the preliminary owner opted to cancel the “pageant” and send representatives to the next level of competition (i.e. state level, national level), which must be approved by L & T Entertainment.
  1. Promoters are strongly encouraged to use their “family of formers” as special entertainment and emcees, during their contest, as doing so makes it more meaningful to be a part of their particular contest family. However, in some cases a promoter may wish to use another entertainer that is not part of the “family of formers” in which case is acceptable provided that the promoter 1)informs L & T Entertainment of their request to use a particular entertainer outside the America system and receives approval in advance of advertisement of the same  and 2)provided the entertainer with the “Entertainer Regulations” as denoted in this Handbook.
  1. Promoters are required to ensure that all entertainers and emcees clearly understand and receive a copy of the Entertainer Regulations, as detailed in this handbook.  The Entertainer Regulations should be provided to the entertainers and emcees in advance of the contest to ensure that they have had ample time to review and understand the requirements of working on behalf of the Miss Gay America pageant system.
  1. State promoters (closed state pageants) who hold “City Preliminaries” must provide the   promoter of the City Preliminary with a “Promoter’s Handbook” and a “Franchise Agreement”. The promoter may “pirate” the national Handbook and franchise agreement, making changes to names where needed however, the rules and regulations of a state/regional preliminary must be consistent with that of the national contest.  The franchise agreement between the promoter of the state contest and the franchise owner only clarifies certain topics and obtains signed acknowledgement that both parties understand and agree to the information presented herein.
  1. “Double crowning” pageants are prohibited.
  1. Promoters, upon request, should notify the national office of their panel of judges, including qualification to serve as judge. The national office reserves the right to disqualify or dismiss any judge whereby their service as judge to that particular contest might not be in the best interest of the contest or the Miss Gay America pageant system. Promoters are solely responsible for the behavior of their panel of judges and likewise, should ensure that only qualified, well-orientated (of rules of the Miss Gay America pageant system) and professional persons are selected to serve as judge. Promoters should also avoid any potential conflict of interest that a particular person serving as judge, may present.
  1. Multi-day pageants may have no more than a “Top 10 Competition” during final night.
  1. Promoters must advertise their prize packages, in advance of the pageant. Advertisement of the prize package shall include the specific disbursement of the prize package, such as installment cash payments. Promoters who provide, as their prize package, a hotel room for the contestants during the national competition should be sure to specify whether or not contestants will received one hotel room each, or share a hotel room. Prize packages should be advertised at minimum, on the complimentary pageant webpage, via the www.missgayamerica.com website.
  1. Promoters are required to provide to L & T Entertainment, the information required, via the preliminary pageant web page, on the Miss Gay America web site. 
  1. Promoters must provide pageant detail including but not limited to pageant location, theme, stage dimensions, prize package, promoter contact information and other pertinent pageant information, via the complimentary preliminary pageant webpage located on the www.missgayamerica.com website. Pageants will not be allowed to occur unless this information has been submitted to the national office, for positing on the national web site.
  1. Promoters should furnish an “Application Package” to the contestants. The application package must mirror the application within the current version of the Promoters Handbook, and should also include category descriptions and a written pageant schedule, including registration deadline, roll-call requirements and any other “need to know” information as detailed in the Contestant Regulation section of this Handbook. L & T Entertainment, has an current year, application packet, available upon request.
  1. Promoters are required to submit a “Promoters Pageant Report” (a sample of the pageant report is located in the Promoters Handbook) within 10 days from the date of the preliminary pageant.  Promoters should log onto the www.missgayamerica.com/promoterspageantreport.htm page in order to complete and submit the automated version of the Promoters Pageant Report.
  1. Promoters may, at their discretion, ask their titleholder to sign a contract however the requirements of the contract cannot exceed those noted in the Miss Gay America Job Description Summary, unless approved by L & T Entertainment.
  1. The promoter should assign someone to tabulate the scores of their contest, however the reigning Miss Gay America, or the official representative of L & T Entertainment, must validate the scores before any announcement of placement should occur. Promoters may use the official “computerized” score sheet tabulation file (obtained from the reigning Miss  Gay America) if opportunity for use is available at the location of the pageant. If used, the promoter must be responsible for the tabulation program at all times. If the automated score sheet is used, the reigning Miss Gay America is still required to validate the scores.
  1. At the conclusion of the pageant, a copy of the Master Score Sheet MUST be posted in the dressing room of the contestants OR all contestants must receive a copy of the Master Score Sheet.
  1. Promoters are required to receive and send electronic communications with the national office, including attachments, which will primarily be in Microsoft Word/Excel format. The standard franchise fee includes such communication. In the event the “other” methods of communication are required, additional charges will apply. In some instances, a promoter may request to receive a Photostat copy of this Franchise Agreement, in which case there will be a fee of $40.00
  1. Promoters must provide the contestants with a detailed Contestants Orientation/Registration so as to ensure that they are well informed of every detail of the preliminary pageant. Miss Gay America must be in attendance of the Contestant Orientation/Registration and will assist in providing the verbal detail to the contestants, at the Orientation/Registration session. It is strongly encouraged that a written schedule is provided to contestants that include “roll-call” requirements and other pertinent information. Please refer to the Contestant Orientation/Registration Agenda, located within this Handbook, for more information
  1. Promoters must provide the panel of judges with a detailed Judges Orientation/Registration so as to ensure that they are well informed of every detail of the preliminary pageant. Miss Gay America must be in attendance at the Judges Orientation/Registration and will assist in providing the verbal detail to the panel of Judges, at the Orientation/Registration session. A “Lead Judge” should be identified. It is strongly encouraged that a written schedule is provided to judges that include “roll-call” requirements and other pertinent information. Please refer to the Judges Orientation/Registration Agenda, located within this Handbook, for more information. 
  1. Promoters and the reigning Miss Gay America should schedule a meeting, most likely via telephone, to review the Promoters Checklist which will ensure that most attention to detail is considered which will yield a smooth pageant. Additionally, during the day(s) of the contest, promoters and Miss Gay America should meet, as needed, during the day of the contest, to discuss issues that require immediate attention. 
  1. Administrative Point Deductions may only be issued by pageant officials, including L & T Entertainment (or its assigns), the reigning Miss Gay America or promoters. For more information on Administrative Point Deductions, please refer to the Contestant Regulation section of this manual. The Lead Judge should be attentive to issues that warrant Administrative Point Deductions and likewise inform a pageant official as necessary.
  1.  The role of the Advisory Board is to ensure that the rules and regulations, as set forth herein are adhered to and that each preliminary is conducted to be in the best interest of the Miss Gay America Pageant system. Additionally, in the absence of an official representative of L & T Entertainment, including Larry Tyger, Terry Eason or the reigning Miss Gay America, the Advisory Board shall have authority to make a “quick decision”, according to the rules and regulations set forth herein. In any event, each Advisory Board member shall notify the executive office of L & T Entertainment, of any and all issues, in which they are involved.
  1. Promoters should submit, to L & T Entertainment, the prize package and other information, denoted on the web page of the Miss Gay America website, for that particular contest. Said information should be submitted to L & T Entertainment for website publishing, not later than 30 days prior to the date of the contest.
  1. Promoters should assign someone to act as a Judges liaison and Entertainer liaison. This so as to ensure that the needs of the judges and entertainers are met, so as to ensure a smoother flow of the contest.  

NATIONAL PROGRAM ADVERTISEMENT

The national program advertisement fee is included in the “pageant fees”. Promoters must submit an original photo of their contest representative in order to ensure the highest quality image in the national program advertisement and the contestant gallery. L & T Entertainment reserves the right to reject any “substandard” photographs of the contestants for either the preliminary advertisement or the contestant gallery. In no instance will an advertisement of a contestant be allowed, whereby the contestant is wearing a crown from any other pageant system, other than the Miss Gay America pageant system, unless otherwise approved by L & T Entertainment. Promoters must create the ad to be submitted, for the national souvenir program. L & T Entertainment will not create the ad for the promoter. Monies paid for the ad in the souvenir program, may be forfeited, in the event that the promoters does not submit an ad or submits an ad, according to the advertising specifications. Photos of first alternate contestants, must be a photo other than a “crown” photo.  L & T Entertainment reserves the right not to publish any ads for preliminary promoters who are unable to arrange for the construction of their own advertisement. For more information regarding advertisement specifications, please refer to the “National  Souvenir Program Advertisement Specifications” detailed in this handbook.

 STANDARDIZATION OF CROWN
All preliminary promoters are required to “use” the Official Crown as standardized by L & T Entertainment, for all city, state, and regional preliminaries. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.  Under no circumstance, unless otherwise approved, shall the current titleholder of an official preliminary to Miss Gay America (or preliminaries thereof i.e. city preliminaries), make appearance as a reigning “America system titleholder” in any crown other than the standardized crown for either the City or State/Regional level.  Failure to comply with the standardized crown requirement will result in the titleholder not being recognized as an official preliminary titleholder and competition privilege denied to the next pageant level (i.e. state level, national level). It is the ultimate responsibility of the preliminary promoter to ensure compliance with this and all other pageant regulations.

 The State/Regional Crown is included in the Pageant fees. Crowns will be shipped when the pageant fees have been received and the funds have been cleared (i.e. bank check cleared, cashier’s check, money order, credit card etc).    

City preliminaries must use the standardized crown. A City Preliminary Promoter may opt to ”recycle” a Miss Gay America system crown that was previously used however, in no circumstance, should a city preliminary occur whereby the standardized crown is not used. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS!  

The cost of the CITY CROWN is:

$195 standard delivery of ten days ($185.00 crown plus $10.00 (standard delivery shipping and handling) 

$225 two-day delivery ($175 crown plus $35.00 two-day delivery shipping and handling, or market rate on one or two day delivery)

 The city crown order should be placed at least two (2) weeks before your pageant. 

ALL CITY CROWN ORDERS MUST BE COORDINATED THROUGH THE STATE PAGEANT OWNERS.  

METHOD OF PAYMENT FOR PAGEANT FEES

Methods of payment for the pageant fees are as follows: Cashier check, cash, money order, or credit card. (We accept Visa, MasterCard). An authorization code, from the respective companies, for approval of these charges Regulations for Preliminary Pageant Promoters-continued

will be received, prior to accepting the charge. Your signature for verification will be kept on file with the executive office. This is in effort to better serve your company or individual needs. L & T Entertainment may require a Photostat copy of the credit card. L & T Entertainment reserves the right to refuse credit card payment.  

MULTIPLE PRELIMINARY OWNERS

In the event that one promoter shall make request to purchase more than one franchise from the Official Miss Gay America Pageant, L & T Entertainment reserves the right of refusal of such sale, with or without cause.  Such reasons for refusal include but are not limited to market saturation and/or excessive “problems” with a particular promoter. In the event that more than one franchise is granted to a particular promoter, it should be noted that only one (1) vote per ownership individual or group is allowed regardless of how many franchise/preliminaries a promoter may purchase.

 Any promoter who desires to promote a contest with another pageant system, should notify L & T Entertainment in writing. This, so as to ensure that L & T Entertainment is informed of interest that may distract efforts from the Miss Gay America pageant system, and that the best interest of the Miss Gay America pageant system is priority.

SUSPENSION OF PRIVILEGE TO COMPETE

Any situation that warrants suspension of a contestant, on the national level, will automatically warrant a two-year suspension.  Any person suspended, on the national level, will receive notification from the national office, when possible.

Justification for suspension of privilege to compete includes but is not limited to:

1)      Once a contestant has qualified (either as winner or first alternate) for the national pageant (State or Regional), they are obligated to represent the contest, at the national pageant, through which they qualified. Failure to compete, after official qualification on the national, will result in the suspension of privilege to compete for a minimum of two years, unless otherwise approved by L & T Entertainment. Additionally, any prize package (including monies) received, must be repaid prior to the reinstatement of affiliation or competition eligibility.

2)      Failure to appear on-stage for the coronation ceremony of a particular contest (whether or not, the contestant is chosen as a Top 10 finalist) will result in a minimum suspension of one year.

3)      Other conduct deemed as inappropriate, including but not limited to the requirements detailed within this handbook

A current register of “suspended contestants” will be maintained at the executive office of L & T Entertainment. Said list is available to promoters only, via the “HTM” page of www.missgayamerica.com/suspended contestant and affiliate registry.htm. The information noted on the web site, via the “registry” should not be published by anyone unless otherwise approved by L & T Entertainment but rather, if for the information of Promoters, Advisory Board and the reigning Miss Gay America.  Promoters are urged to provide the executive office of L & T Entertainment, with a listing of all City/Metropolitan Suspended Contestants. L & T Entertainment reserves the right to issue a “system wide” suspension of any contestant who has had competition privileges suspended with any City/Metropolitan preliminary.

State promoters may, at their discretion, uniformly suspend city contestants who have qualified but failed to appear at the state level however; it is imperative that the national office is advised of ALL suspensions of competition privilege. Also, a state or regional promoter has option to suspend contestants from their particular contest, for other reasons, provided that the national office is aware of the situation. In some cases, the national office may allow suspension on the state or regional level, of a particular contest, but may not issue a suspension on the national level.

Any person suspended, on the national level, will not be allowed to participate in any aspect of the Miss Gay America pageant system including but not limited to services as pageant administrator, entertainer, emcee, judge on-stage performer, dresser or contestant.

Once a contestant has been suspended for three times, on any pageant level, a permanent expulsion will be issued whereby the contestant will no longer be able to compete in the Miss Gay America system on any pageant level, nor participate in any direct or indirect Miss Gay America pageant system function.

1ST ALTERNATE POSTION

The contestant chosen as first alternate must be prepared to fulfill the duties of the titleholder, if for any reason the titleholder is unable to fulfill his duty. The first alternate winner does not have right of refusal to be promoted to the titleholder position, if the opportunity occurs within zero (0) days to six (6) months from the date of that particular contest. Should the contestant decline the promotion, within the aforementioned timeline, a one-year minimal suspension, shall be levied against that contestant. If the promotion opportunity occurs after six (6) months from the date of that particular contest, the first alternate has acceptance option, without declination penalty.

PROMOTIONAL PHOTOS OF TITLEHOLDERS

As quality promotional photographs promotes entertainer professionalism, promoters should encourage the contest winner and alternate to keep current Promotional Headshot Photographs, for advertisement purpose. The national office will only accept photos at a minimum of 300 DPI, for use on the Miss Gay America website or for use in the national souvenir program.

APPOINTING CONTESTANTS

Once a contest is advertised, a promoter may set a “reasonable” pre-registration deadline. A reasonable pre-registration deadline shall not exceed more than 10 days prior to the advertised date of the contest. In the event that a promoter does not obtain at least two (2) contestants, the promoter may request, from the executive office of Miss Gay America, to appoint a representative to the “next level” contest provided the appointee has competed in, one (1) Miss Gay America City Preliminary, if the aforementioned scenario involves a State pageant or two (2) state or regional preliminaries, if the aforementioned scenario involves qualification to the national contest, during the most recent pageant season. Should a promoter request to appoint a contestant, L & T Entertainment shall require validation that the promoter has sufficiently advertised in order to obtain contestants, so as to not appear that the promoter has purchased the preliminary in order to qualify a contestant to the next level contest. In the event that a promoter should cancel the contest and request to appoint a contestant to the next level pageant, L & T Entertainment must be notified and approve appointees. As Miss Gay America, is a competition, promoters are strongly encouraged to conduct the contest, although there may be only two contestants. L & T Entertainment reserves the right to refuse appointees in the event that the practice of appointing contestants is deemed to be excessive and/or abused.

 

In the event that a contestant has qualified for the national competition and is unable to fulfill the obligation to compete in the national competition, the promoter, may appoint as “representative”, with approval from L & T Entertainment, a contestant. The appointing of a contestant who did not place (2nd, 3rd or 4th alternate etc ) or enter that particular contest, must be approved by L & T Entertainment.  In the event that the promoter is not in “good standing” with L & T Entertainment (good standing is to be defined by L & T Entertainment), L & T Entertainment reserves the right to appoint  a “representative” of that contest. “Representative” appointments will not occur until after the last scheduled regional, open state or city preliminary pageant, of the current preliminary pageant season, has occurred. Contestants eligible for appointed positions on the national level, must have entered at least two (2) official preliminaries, in the Miss Gay America system, within that particular season.

CONTESTANT APPLICATIONS FOR THE MISS GAY AMERICA PAGEANT

All contestant applications, for the national pageant, must be submitted electronically. All contestant applications for the national competition must be submitted on or before October 01, unless otherwise requested from the executive office of L & T Entertainment. The contestants will be required to sign applications, and present appropriate identification, at contestant registration. Applications not properly completed, or that are received tardy, will warrant Administration Point deductions.

Contestant applications on the City, State and Regional level are not required to be submitted electronically, however, when possible contestant application should be made available, in electronic format.

Contestant applications for City, State and Regional pageants must mirror the most recent application published in the most recent version of the Miss Gay America Promoters Handbook, as this will ensure uniformity within the Miss Gay America pageant system.

The application packet, at minimum should include:

  • The Category Descriptions
  • The Contestant Regulations
  • Contestant Schedule
  • Prize Package

In addition to the above mentioned, promoters should provide other useful information for the contestant or advise contestants of the information available for review on the Miss Gay America web site. The other information includes but it not limited to: 1)The Miss Gay America Job Description 2)The various articles published by L & T Entertainment regarding the various category descriptions and the letter published in the Handbook, entitled “What Judges Are Looking For In A Miss Gay America”. Any other expectations of a titleholder, that are in addition to those detailed within this Handbook, should be first approved by L & T Entertainment. Then, once approved through L & T Entertainment, said additional requirements must then be clearly defined within the Job Description of the particular contest. Otherwise, L & T Entertainment reserves the right to settle any dispute that should arise because of the lack of advance notification to contestants, of any additional requirements, other than those denoted within this Handbook.

HONORARY TITLEHOLDERS:

The act of appointing Honorary Titleholders is prohibited however Promoters are encouraged to establish a “specially named award” to recognize those individual(s) who have significantly contributed to the organization. 

THE YEAR OF THE TITLEHOLDER

The year in the official title of the titleholder should be the actual year that the titleholder competes in the national competition. There will be no exceptions. Example: Miss Hawaii America competes at Miss Gay America in October 2010, then he should be labeled as Miss Hawaii America 2010

For more information concerning competition requirements and expectations of titleholders of the Miss Gay America pageant system, please refer to the following:

   The Miss Gay America Category Descriptions   

The Miss Gay America Job Description Summary

Back to
About Miss Gay America


Hit Counter
Images, photographs, certain text, and videos may not be copied without permission.
Please contact us if you have questions on what may and may not be copied.
Miss Gay America Pageant® is a registered trademark of L and T Entertainment©
"Where the boys are boys and Female Impersonation is an Art!" ™
is a registered trademark of L and T Entertainment©
Please refer any comments on the Web site to the Web Site Administrator