Battle for the Tiara

History

The well-known drag show fundraiser was founded by Alexis Pittman and a small group of friends in Los Angeles in 1989. It is a farcical beauty pageant where amateur, male contestants dress and perform as women in categories of evening gown, swim suit, talent, and question and answer segments. Battle for the Tiara began as a small, annual AIDS fundraising event in a private home, and due to its popularity, it was moved to subsequently larger venues. An award-winning, 1998 documentary was made of Battle for the Tiara, by Charley Lang and Eric Schiff, which chronicled the history of the Los Angeles fundraising event that has raised millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS treatment and assistance through Aid For AIDS in California. When Pittman died, the group stopped production for two years, then brought the event back in 2003 with the name, Best In Drag Show. During the interim two years, another version was produced by the show beneficiary entitled, Quest for the Crown, the subject of director Roger Hyde's documentary, Queen of the Whole Wide World. By 2008, the renamed fundraiser was being held at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, which seats 1,900. In 2010, the benefit raised $300,000. In 2011, the winning show contestant from 1998 Battle For The Tiara, Jeffrey Drew as "Lotta Slots, Miss Nevada," became the director and choreographer of the later version of the fundraiser, Best In Drag Show. Quest for the Crown and Best In Drag Show are registered trademarks of the California non-profit Aid For AIDS, founded in 1983.

Supporters

The fundraiser, currently named Best In Drag Show, has raised millions with the help of show underwriters, private and corporate donations, and a large group of volunteers. Each year, the show raises more than a quarter of one million dollars in one evening. for the Los Angeles-based, non-profit organization Aid For AIDS and is supported by an extensive list of celebrities