I was a former beauty queen.

So, I was a beauty queen.

I was a former Ms Australia.

A former Ms Gay Australia to be precise.

I can still vividly remember it. It was almost 1 am at Yarraville Club, Melbourne  2011. In my resplendent red, glittery fish tail gown and bright Lady Danger from MAC, I sashayed down the catwalk, my left hand elegantly balancing the tiara so that it would not fall off my head (that would be embarrassing). The other hand tightly grasping the heavy, clear plaque inscribed with the words ‘MS GAY AUSTRALIA 2011 – WINNER’. My middle finger on the same hand tightly clasping the few stems from the complimentary bouquet. I smiled from one chandelier earring to another, making eyes at the blinding flashes. I didn’t know who were behind the flashes – it didn’t matter, it was my time to shine. Suddenly, it dawned on me that I was wearing a pair of black heels which didn’t match my gown. But, I didn’t care and smiled away anyway until my cheeks grew tired and the flashes subsided. Then, quietly I made my way to the dressing room, packed my weaves (I had 3 weave changes), my costumes that were strewn on the floor and my gold ZU heels that was meant to go with the red gown. I said my goodbyes and air-cheek-kissed the other contestants and headed to my hotel room.

To be honest, I wasn’t 100% shocked that I had won. I knew that if I had prepared and performed well, I would stand a good chance – just like any other contestant. The win, I reckon, was also because I have always been competitive and always try to excel in whatever I do. I won 3 out of the 5 subsidiary awards too – the most treasured was Best in Talent. When the emcee called out my name for the win, I convincingly feigned the ‘beauty-queen surprise’ – one hand placed on the chest, the other covered the agaped mouth, eyes opened wide and head shook from left-to-right but not too intensely.

After the whirlwind win, back in Brisbane, I received some flak from a couple of queens. Of course they were hurtful. And of course, I was affected. A few days after, I chose not to listen to nor dwell in the negativity. I had worked hard for the title and to win the monsta of a tiara, goddamit! And no one can put me down for the little achievements that I’ve made for myself.

This year, my successor is Martini Ice from the Gold Coast. I was ecstatic to hear that a sista from Queensland had won the title. I know Martini, not too well, but enough to know she is deserving of the win. Her heart is as big as her bossom. A beautiful person and an amazeball of a performer. I wish her all the best and that her journey will be as fulfilling and enriching as mine.

xxxChinta

Queer, Queer, Queerio

It was such a balmy Saturday morning that my 2-inch thick MAC foundation almost slid off my face. I was trying oh-so-hard to look the part of the hawt-hostest-with-the-mostest but my lashes decided not to stick and my weave was limp although I’d tonnes of lacquer in it – enough to puncture another hole in the ozone layer. Oh-how-so-unglam! Day drag has never been flattering (nor comfortable) and this was one of those days. But,the show had to go on.

The show was QUEERIOSITY, an annual alcohol-free youth festival created by the dedicated people from Open Doors Youth Service for the young LGBT and gender diverse persons in Queensland.

The day started a little slow. I reckon it was way too early for most on a Saturday morning. In the vastness of the Captain Burke Park, what I found inspiring was the energy and eagerness of Open Doors’ staff and their young volunteers – flitting here and there, setting up or helping to set up the various community booths, putting up decorations, planting bean bags and making signages. Busy and tired as they were, the working bees were smiling and laughing.

Slowly, the young faces started to trickle in – happy, proud and gay. After the first hour of the 3rd QUEERIOSITY being officiated, there were young people mingling around the Healthy Communities (QAHC), Relationships Australia (RA), Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Queer Collective booths – picking up resources and freebies while learning about the services provided by these organisations and groups. Many also attacked the free sausage sizzle. The whiff from the barbie made me salivate a rabid dog on stage. But, the show had to go on.

On stage, my partner in crime was Beastie Al, a dashing character who was dressed in a snazzy ensemble fitting for the Logies – alas, he was at the wrong event. We were really, really, really impressed with the local young talents who had contributed their time to support the event; The Mouldy Lovers, Rawr Vanity, The Boys, Stiletto from the Empire Dance Crew, Kendall Lyte, Sleeping Cities. Off stage, Beastie and I constantly wished that we could sing like the young performers, but we could only croak.  A former Brisbane-based performer, Just Lizzie, flew in from Melbourne to support the event. Up-and-coming young dragstar, Saphira von Wilde, brought a bus load from Lismore. The day was also packed with discussions/forums/workshops that were relevant to the young persons.

I met many, many awesome and positive young persons on the hot and balmy day; Jade, Beau, Miguel, Phoebe, Henri and just-call-me-Tina. Indeed, I was really honoured to be part of QUEERIOSITY 2012 and to be amongst the LGBT youths of Brisbane. I believe the we should create many more safe and friendly spaces and events for LGBT youths to socialise, be themselves and take their families and friends to – something that I did not get to experience when I was younger.

To find out more about services that Open Doors provide, how to get access to these services and how you can help to support its good work, click here.

See you at QUEERIOSITY 2013.

xxxChinta