The Miss Fag Hag Pageant is a pageant contest for fag hags, referring to women who either associate mostly or exclusively with gay and bisexual men, or have gay and bisexual men as close friends.
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Origin
The concept of Miss Fag Hag Pageant originated in Wellington, New Zealand, in 2007 and was first held in January 2008 as a search for the best fag hag. It was later emulated by gay bars in other New Zealand cities including Christchurch, Hamilton, and Auckland, and later in Melbourne, Australia, and New York, USA.
The idea was created by Wellington nightclub and bar owner Greig Wilson. The inaugural winner was 22-year-old Veronica Mills. Miss Fag Hag Wellington 2009 was 21-year-old Nicole Johnston and Miss Fag Hag Wellington 2010 was 20-year-old Courtney Havill.
Background
Fag hag is a gay slang phrase referring to a woman who either associates mostly or exclusively with gay and bisexual men, or has gay and bisexual men as close friends. The phrase originated in gay male culture in the United States and was historically an insult. Some women who associate with gay men object to being called fag hags, while others embrace the term. The male counterpart, for men who have similar interpersonal relationships with gay and bisexual men is fag stag, part of hag-ism, the identification of a person with a group—usually united in terms of sexuality, gender identity, or shared sex—of which he or she is not officially a member. People who associate with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people may be called fruit flies regardless of their sex.
American Miss Fag Hag Pageant
The American event was created by comedian Shawn Hollenbach and produced by Hollenbach and Paul Case as a benefit for Hetrick-Martin Institute and was held at Comix Night Club. The show was staged, choreographed and directed by Adolpho Blaire. According to the event's website, the show is a "celebration of the unsung hero of the gay community".
2009
The first American Miss Fag Hag pageant was held in 2009 in New York City. The New York contestants and their corresponding gay male sponsors were announced on the event's website, www.missfaghag.com. Hosts were Shawn Hollenbach and Paul Case. Judges were Caroline Rhea, Michael Musto, Hedda Lettuce and Katina Corrao. The show was staged, choreographed and directed by Adolpho Blaire. According to the website, the show is a celebration of the unsung hero of the gay community.
Contestants were named after many of the New York City villages and boroughs.
2010
New York's Second Annual Miss Fag Hag Pageant was held at Comix NY on Sunday, May 2 at 8pm Miss Fag Hag 2010 was hosted by cabaret duo Mel & El. The judges included Michael Musto, John Cameron Mitchell, Jerry Torre and last minute replacement, Leslie Jordan. Adolpho Blaire directed and choreographed the pageant and produced along with creator, Shawn Hollenbach and co-producer, Paul Case. The 10 contestants competed in the following categories: