Miss Gay ISU contestants strive to inspire others

In a standing-room only Dede I Thursday night, during the return of Miss Gay ISU, students received lap dances in exchange for tips, heard bawdy jokes and saw a pageant between two gay students at ISU.

The two contestants in the pageant competed in introduction, evening gown, talent and question-and-answer segments. Sandra "Sandy" Furr, also known as freshman education major Ryan Sandefur, won the title of Miss Gay ISU.

Her goal was to be an inspiration to those who want to pursue the art of female impersonation, she said.

"I wanted to inspire to put creativity as its best," she said.

As an introduction, she joked of dating Sycamore Sam, the ISU mascot.

In a black sequined V-neck evening gown, she pranced around the stage.

As a talent, Furr recited two very personal poems about losing virginity and losing love.

Angelica Foxx, the hostess of the pageant and a first-year nursing major, asked each contestant a separate question.

"What is needed for a female impersonation contest?" she asked Furr.

Furr responded "inspiration for a spark of feminine flare and beauty."

Inspiration was not only present in Furr's performance, but also in the second contestant's.

The second contestant was Val "Valentine" Everett, also known as Tim Devery a freshman English major.

Introducing herself, she said her name was short for Valentine because she is such a sweetheart.

Also sporting a black evening gown, she strutted and flipped her long, shiny blonde hair.

Making a joke to Foxx, Everett mocked the typical "princess wave," making the audience laugh.

Dressed up as Angel, a character from the musical "Rent," Everett sang a humorous song about life only being about "sexing it up."

She sexed it up herself when she pole danced during the talent portion of the pageant.

Foxx asked Everett, "What would Miss Gay ISU stand for?" Everett responded that Miss Gay ISU was to inspire people to partake in the creative arts and to make a stance that inner beauty is about reaching out.

Her inspiration to do the pageant was to gain a sense of humor. Everett was awarded the title of Miss Congeniality.

The pageant also included musical performances by various female impersonators.

Foxx performed several skits ranging from impersonating vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin singing "Dear Mr. President," to a Dorothy of Oz "coming out of the closet to receive a sex change," to a human disco ball wearing a long dress suit composed of broken mirrors.

Annastacia DeMoore, a Terre Haute resident, performed audience-grabbing skits.

The performers and the contestants hoped to be an inspiration for others to pursue the hobby of female impersonation.

( Heidi Staggs is a freshman communication major. She can be reached at sascamed@isugw.indstate.edu.)