The dresses were the same, talents were similar and the contestants went through the usual routine of evening wear and introductions.
The difference at the “Womanless Pageant,” held as part of Mississippi Valley State University’s homecoming festivities, was that these “ladies” were all man.
Tuesday’s pageant included a barrage of comedy skits that attracted a large crowd. The concept of the pageant was conceived by Bryce Lowe, director of residence services and student living director.
“This was an experience that if you were not here, you could not understand,” Lowe said. “Pictures and words could not do this justice.”
The five contestants were introduced in casual wear, performed in a talent display, dressed in evening wear and then performed a skit in their “Sunday best” before coming back to answer an array of questions. The audience remained in a constant fit of laughter as the men struggled to walk in heels and respond to the questions, such as “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” and “Can fat people go skinny-dipping?”
“It was a lot of fun, and that is what this was all about,” Lowe said. “Everything is all in good fun. No one was offended, and no one is going to make fun of these guys for doing it. That’s what I wanted everyone to see — that this was a comedy show.”
Lowe said that initially he had a problem finding males willing to participate. The original roster of participants was 15, but the number dwindled to five as the pageant approached.
“We broke down barriers today,” Lowe said. “A lot of the students struggle with sexuality issues. This gave the men a chance to show the women on campus how they see them, and for women to show men how they see the guys.”
Some participants were hesitant, afraid others would make fun of them, Lowe said. “But I think it’s clear from tonight’s show that it was all fun and they have nothing to worry about,” he said.
Pageant winner Chris Thompson, known by the stage moniker “Christina Sissy,” said he was “as nervous as a man in women’s clothes” to go out on the stage dressed up.
“We live in such an environment where everyone is really kind of uptight,” Thompson said. “It was hard to get up there, but it was a lot of fun. I think it was a really good payoff.”
William McGee, or “Melissa ‘Striptease’ Jenkins,” said the show was simply another outlet to entertain his friends.
“I know I went out there and made a fool of myself, “ McGee said. “But, it fits me. I’m kind of a jokester.”
Lowe, who said the event went very well, said next year he plans to incorporate a “Manless” pageant as well. Admission to this year’s event was free, but he would like to charge for the next pageant to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“I think people would pay to see that show, and it would be a good way for us to help out while we’re having fun,” he said.
