Doll Boys

I just want to give a brief heads-up on this great Radar article "Queen of Tots," which examines on the role of gay men in child beauty pageants. The point that the pageant circuit is something of a sanctuary for homosexuals in the South adds yet another mind-blowing layer to this lifestyle that is endlessly fascinating. (I clearly think so, in any event.)

Beyond the gay stuff, there's, of course, some justification of child pageantry. My favorite talking point comes from a quote from pageant judge Ray Smith (whose roots on judging criteria, by the way, are in drag shows): "The world is competitive, and parents want their kids to be able to get by without them. That can be done through giving them the best possible education or by straightening their teeth with braces, and I think pageants are just another way to help them get an edge in life." Uh, I think I agree...maybe? The social-Darwinism perspective is, at least, the best explanation I've heard in support of encouraging children to look and act like whores of Broadway.

Anyway, read the article. For real. Do it.

(Shout out to Tracie, without whose heads-up, I could not deliver mine.)

An update of sorts comes via email from a former child-pageant contestant, Heather E., who talks about her subliminal education in tolerance, among things:

I still value my pageant experience.  It taught me to not be afraid to speak in public, make friends easily, have a good sense of self, and be confident in myself and my abilities, such as they are.  I also think it taught me tolerance without even meaning to.  By the time I came to understand what "gay" was, it wasn't even an issue for me, other than the fact that these fabulous guys would never be interested in me in "that way."  A loss for me, but a gain to others.  I've never understood the intolerance people show towards others' sexuality.  What business is it of mine whom you love?  I'm just glad you love someone.  I believe being exposed to diversity at an early age made me aware that not everyone was exactly alike, that being different is an asset not a liability, and people are just people no matter what.  I think if you'd ask other women that participated in pageants during their formative years, you'd find similar sentiments.  I'm still dismayed that the shows on pageants only ever seem to focus on the negative instead of the positive, but having lived in that world myself for a time, I know that there is a lot of good to be had by participating.

Comments

[scamps]

"The world is competitive, and parents want their kids to be able to get by without them"

Pagentry shows just the opposite. The kids are competing with "enhancements" and direction imposed on them by their parents.

[Caroline]

I saw this many years ago and LOVED it. Is there any word of it coming to DVD?

[Chris]

Yeah, I disagree. Pageantry breeds children with a really warped social outlook. Definitely not preparing them for the real world in any sensible fashion...

[sonny]

I can't be the only person who noticed that every little girl's mother that was profiled looked overweight and kinda dumpy. Ultimate stagemoms... the kind that couldn't have it when they were young so they're pushing their kids into it. Just sad. Sad in the kind of way that I want to watch it like a train wreck though. :)

[AKZombie]

After reading this post, I just spent approximately an hour or so (work? what work?) reading the comments for Rich's original post on "Living Dolls". For an idea of the kind of crazy that seems to follow pageants around, that thread cannot be beat.

[Meg]

OK I just watched the entire documentary on youtube, and...wow. I thought that "Little Miss Sunshine" was a huge parody of the child pageant ring, but nope, it was pretty scarily accurate. GROSS.

I read that article, too (I apparently have far too much free time, that's right), and I think I should definitely buy a ticket for the next Mr. Gay All American show. That seems like the most ridiculous oxymoron of all time, am I right?

[Meg]

Oh and you should know that Swan Brooner's name shows up in a facebook search, however, there is no accompanying photo. I requested her to be my friend so I'll let you know what happens if anything does bahaha

[spazmo]

Up here we doll up little tots (mostly boys) in pads, helmets, jerseys, and skates. Then we hand them hockey sticks and push them out on the ice.

I figure if the parents have the time and money, where's the harm? As long as the kids are into it, let 'em play. They aren't learning anything except...well, how to play hockey.

Same thing with beautey pageants. If these girls are having fun, then that's all that counts, right?

We project so much of our own half-baked socialogical bullshit on kids today, it's incredible. Pretty soon every childhood activity that doesn't involve some kind of "moral" or PC life-lesson will be banned.

(BTW, I thought "Little Miss Sunshine" was one of the preachiest, quirky-for-quirky's sake pieces of shit I've ever seen. Seriously, what was the moral there? Don't wear weaves and makeup kids, but by all means dance like a cheap stripper for attention every chance you get!)

[spazmo]

Crap, I actually do know how to spell "beauty". It was my cat's name, after all...

[replica]

I can comment from experience, sort of. Did a ten year stint as a child model and actor and made a good $300k at it to boot. This type of thing is like anything else, there's an upside and a down. I must agree wholeheartedly that your sense of diversity and acceptance for other people is greatly enhanced, as is your ability to conquer your fears and stand up in front of people when you want to or need to. Self control is quite an asset to gain at a young age. On the other hand, you are exposed to far too many adult concepts, ambitions and criticisms, which may tend to undo the other gains you may have made self esteem-wise. In the end, it leaves you feeling unstable, exhilarated, slightly sullied and unique. Glad I did it, frankly. But even better - my mom wasn't a psycho head-case with a personal investment in the outcome, so that may have been the key.

[Aaron]

Sorry.. I don't buy the whole "being in pageants helped me tolerate gay people." I think what she means is that she learned the "Hairdresser Paradox" early in life. Sure the gays are fun when they're making you pretty... but don't bring one home and we sure don't got any in our family!

[torrinpaige]

Aaron, I'm the woman who sent that email to Rich and I find your comment to be kind of offensive. That you would think to know me and mine is completely presumptuous. I could tell you that I have gay friends, or that my cousin is a lesbian, but I'm afraid that comes off as sounding like, "Hey, my best friend is black!" What I was trying to get across was the fact that being around gay people without knowing that they were different or that society looked down upon them made being gay a non-issue by the time I came to realize what it was. I still have problems with people spewing hatred towards other people because their belief system or whatever isn't the same. I'd like to believe that my early experiences helped me to be a better person when I grew up. I'd like to think they contributed to the fact that when my best friend finally told me that he was gay and asked would I please be there when he told his family that I was able to do such a small thing for him without reacting in a weird way because his sexuality was a non-issue for me. I know that I turned out okay and I know that pageants did, in fact, help in that. I'm so sorry that you are cynical and think the worst of people. I hope that changes for you someday.

[Zsaqktpv]

APsGe2

[Jordan 6]

Maybe you got annoyed at hearing a popular female doll say that to little girls.

[electric ride on cars]

Wonderfully inspirational and so well told. Thank you for the advice. -R-

[tricycles for sale]

This post absolutely made my day. Your optimism and integrity are inspiring. If I was hiring for any job, I'd hire you!