The pressure is mounting. "Just breathe," someone reminds herself. Strewn throughout the dressing room are a mass of shoes and clothes galoreÑsportswear, evening wear, and of course the drop-dead lingerie. Some women pace anxiously backstage, while others examine their faces, adding the last touches of makeup, and practicing that winning smileÑreassuring themselves to knock 'em dead when their turn arrives.
A contestant returns from the judges' lair and is quickly bombarded by the others.
"How did ya do on the runway?" one asks.
"OK, I just hope my nerves didn't show."
Though nerves are a common symptom found in contestants vying for a title at beauty pageants and competitions, many are use to it. However, what makes these ladies different from the rest is the fact that they are self-proclaimed "seasoned competitors." In fact, what makes this group of contestants even more unique is that they are all gay men in women's clothing and transsexual/transgender participants.
Gender illusionists are what many of these competitors call themselves, instead of the infamous term "drag queens."
"I get offended by the word drag queen; gender illusionist describes what I am much better," says Erie Capulong, Miss Gay Super Model of the World contestant representing Japan.
The Miss Gay Super Model of the World Pageant was sponsored by the Asian AIDS Project, in hopes to raise money for HIV/AIDS education. The pageant, held in March in San Francisco, consisted of 25 models representing different parts of the world, competing for five titles and trophies and the grand prize was the Miss Gay Super Model of the World title. Included with the title was a $300 cash prize along with a year's supply of Remy Martin.
"This was my third time competing for the title, but this time I finally won," said Crystal Catamco, representing Venezuela and the 1995 Miss Gay Super Model of the World winner.
Catamco, a pre-operative transsexual, has taken home many titles in her past six years of competition. Among them are Miss Asia California, Goddess 1992, Miss San Francisco Faces '93. Although a veteran at competing, Catamco still feels heat at each show.
"Every competition always feels like it's my first," says Catamco. "I still get that nervous feeling, but it's a rushÑlike an excited feeling when I'm walking across the stage and people are looking at me and cheering me on."
Like many of the contestants, having fun is the main reason for competing. However, unlike other "straight" pageants such as the Miss U.S.A or Miss Universe, these competitions usually benefit a local charity. Because all proceeds go to a foundation such as the Asian AIDS Project, it is a major impetus that makes these women want to compete even more.
"The title carries a lot of weight in the gay community because this pageant only happens every two years," said Miss Uganda, Emmanuel Dacumos. "But I didn't enter it for the prizes, I did it to help out the organization and its fundraising."
Because these veterans enter more than one contest, having sponsors are crucial to ease the financial aspect of the pageant. Spending varies from each contestant depending on sponsorship and the person's individual tastes.
"I spend about $300 per pageant, even though my sponsors pay for my gown, hair and makeup," says Catamco. "The lingerie alone runs me about $80, and then my shoes are $89, plus I have to buy pantyhose and the jewelry."
Ted Drummer, 2nd runner-up representing Uganda, had all his expenses paid for during the Super Model competition.
"I spent zero dollars. I had everything, and my hair and make up were done professionally for free."
Like other pageants, the ingredients for winning usually depend on the tastes of the judges. Some look for stage presence, the way you work the catwalk, smile, grace, and of course beauty. According to Gary Hughes, manager of the 'N Touch Bar in The City, and judge at the Super Models contest, there are several qualities that label a winner.
"I look closely at the way they carry themselves, their sense of fashion, the oral attitude during the interview segment, how they get along with the other contestants, the facial qualities and of course their beautyÑhow it's projected from the inside out."
One by one, as each contestant struts confidently down the runway , judges rate each performance. However, what seems to be a bit of controversy in some of these pageants are entrance guidelines for the contest. Some participants feel these pageants aren't entirely fair because they are open to transvestites and transsexuals.
"I feel very honored to be chosen in the top five," says Erno "Monique" Hormillosa. "But because the whole point of this contest is to create an illusion, it's hard for a gay man in women's clothing to compete with someone who dresses as a woman 24-7."
Despite Hormillosa's indifference, other participants feel more than comfortable competing side by side with the varied contestants.
"I don't have a problem with competing with other contestants who are pre-op transsexuals and such," Drummer said. "It's really no big deal, you come to the table beforehand knowing the other competitors, if you can't deal with it, then don't come to the table."
Overall, according to many of the competitors, along with fundraising, the main goal is to have fun. Like "straight" pageants, there are those contestants who come across as snobs due to the intense pressure during the competition. However, there are also those contestants who look out for their counterparts as much as they do themselves.
"Most of us are very supportive of each other backstage," said Hormillosa. " In the middle of the last dress rehearsal, one of the women realized she had forgotten her shoes. I told her not to worry and gave her a pair of my gold heels that fit her perfectly."
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