Miss Gay Jozi returns to Wits

The pageant is a platform that allows the gay and drag queen communities of Gauteng to compete to be crowned the most eligible ‘woman’ in the city.

It has allowed the people of these communities to be proud and open about who they are, and given them a place to compete in a pageant of sorts that may one day be on a par with Miss South Africa.

“It is a means of expressing ourselves and our new-found freedom which is enshrined within the constitution, and celebrated in conjunction with Africa Day which falls on the 25 May,” said Miss Gay Jozi co-ordinator, Zsa-Zsa Whitney Gabor-Houston.

“We cannot speak for the whole gay community but what we as gay individuals are trying to achieve is to be true to ourselves, enjoy it and be happy.”

When asked why it was so important to start a pageant of this sort in Joburg, Gabor-Houston responded, “We needed to expand our work in pageantry which has been a long-standing practice of Club Simply Blue who are the main sponsors of this event, as well as bringing an entertainment factor.”

This year the pageant is set to attract more than 350 polysexual audience members. Polysexual is people attracted to multiple genders and/or sexes.

Since the beginning of the pageant three years ago, the judges and organisers have seen a minimum of 30 entrants each year.

Those contestants are then judged and carefully considered, and 12 contestants are chosen for the final show to be held at Wits Theatre.

Miss Gay Jozi contestants are judged on several criteria which include three outfit changes, poise, grooming, and the all-important final questions set by the judges themselves.

In addition to the lovely contestants competing for the crown, the audience can also expect performances from a host of local drag superstars and friends.

The competition will take place on 23 May at 8pm at the Wits Theatre.