Miss Gay IU crowned in 16th annual pageant

Junior Kristen King attended her first Miss Gay IU drag pageant last year.\nShe walked out of the IU Auditorium at the end of the night loving it, and she knew she would be back the next year.\n“Someone asked if I wanted to go with, and I’ve never been before,” King said, “and I said sure. When am I ever going to have an opportunity like this?”\nHer positive experience last year led her to attend this year’s 16th annual Miss Gay IU on Friday at the IU Auditorium. \nHosted by OUT, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender student union, the annual IU tradition celebrates the GLBT community and their allies in Bloomington. \nMore than 900 people attended to see five contestants vie for the Miss Gay IU title, as well as to be entertained by many performances by previous Miss Gay IU winners.\nAnd next year, King plans to attend again.\n“I think our campus is culturally diverse and students should take advantage and have the opportunity to experience things,” King said. “Some people are closed-minded. But some aren’t, and this is a good opportunity to get involved in a different aspect and culture in the University.” \nThe contestants lip-synched, danced and modeled gowns to become Miss Gay IU. Contestants answered an on-stage question, wore gowns and performed. \nIn the end, it was India Black’s talent that won her the title. \nBlack lip-synched a Tina Turner piece for her talent. \nLast year’s winner, Vanessa Vale, crowned host Vicki St. James as Miss Gay IU Emeritus, for all her hard work and dedication in making Miss Gay IU a success for the past 16 years as host. \nA benefit performance was held to raise money for Positive-Link, to help provide services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Vale said that more than $1,000 has been raised so far, and that’s without counting the change received.\n“I hope some not experienced with the gay community or the art of female impersonation learned something.” Vale said. \nUnder her Miss Gay IU title for 2007, Black hopes to continue to work with promoting OUT and hosting discussion panels at the residence halls.\n“I honestly did not expect to win,” Black said. “I was very happy.” \nSt. James asked for audience members to cheer if they were gay or if they were straight. The noise levels for both groups were nearly equal.\n“I really liked that they made a point to say we appreciate all the straight people that attended the event,” King said. “They made a point to recognize that we are there to support them, and I thought that was really great.”\nVale said she hopes India’s reign will be successful.\n“I want India to be so phenomenal and a great representative that people forget who I was,” Vale said. “Even though I feel I did a lot for the program, I really hope the future Miss Gay IU can build upon that.”