Miss Gay Delaware America, Femme, and Esquire 2026

Are you our next Miss Gay Delaware America or Miss Gay Delaware America Femme?

Join us on September 18th and 19th, 2026 for the Miss Gay Delaware America, Femme, and Esquire weekend, held exclusively again at Theatre N in Wilmington, Delaware. Celebrate the incredible reigns of Tia Wanna Ross, Miss Gay Delaware America 2025, and our current reigning symbol of excellence and Miss Gay Delaware America Femme 2025, Anya Marino. Anya reigns as well as our national titleholder, Miss Gay America Femme 2026, and is the first titleholder from Delaware to win on the National Stage. Partake in our Night of Animated Illusions, celebrating the animations that make our hearts sing, our ribs crack with laughter, and the characters that remind us of our humanity. Contestants will compete through Interview (completed during the day), Evening Gown, Talent, and Onstage Question categories throughout the evening with performances by drag legends local and national in between each category.

We welcome a host of guests including Tracy La Louisianne, Miss Gay America 2026, JaredLance, Gay America Esquire 2026, as well as:

Ivy Dripp - Miss Gay America 2025

Dessie Love Blake - Miss Gay America 2024

Deva Station - Miss Gay America 2018

Morgan Morgan Morgan - Miss Gay Delaware America 2024

Scarlet Masters - President & CEO of Delaware Pride Inc

Victoria Cortez - Miss New Jersey Leather 2026

Jaharia - Star of the Boulet Brothers Dragula Titans Season 2

and more

Tickets are on sale now via Eventbrite.com and applications to compete are available today below. Applications have an early bird pricing of $100 until July 15th, 2025 after which they become $150. Presentation will not be walked at this preliminary and all preliminaries will be completed on the same evening (September 19th). Revue show is subject to casting changes based on travel in the current climate.

A Welcome Letter to Our 2026 Contestants

Welcome Statement from Reigning Titleholder

Tia Wanna Ross - Miss Gay Delaware America ‘25

Hello Delaware!

Whether this is your first drag pageantry experience or you’re a pageant connoisseur - I welcome you to attend, compete, or support the 2026 Miss Gay Delaware America pageant. The Miss Gay America pageant system is the country’s oldest and most prestigious competition for female impersonation. I am a former Miss Gay California America, but was fortunate enough to be able to compete at this particular open regional last October. When I was crowned, I felt the love and support right away even though I wasn’t a ‘local’ girl. These new relationships I made and the ability to visit Delaware Pride has made this reign so incredibly special!

With the heart and support of Scarlet and Kasey, our amazing promoters, and our sponsors, volunteers, and judges, we are excited to see who will continue on this legacy! If you are interested in competing but have some questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Although only two individuals will get the ticket to compete in January at Miss Gay America Nationals, I know whomever competes will be a part of a new family! Thank you for being interested in being a part of the First State’s history and good luck to our next round of contestants!

Tia Wanna Ross <3

Welcome Statement from Reigning Titleholder

Anya Marino - Miss Gay Delaware America Femme ‘25 & Miss Gay America Femme ‘26

Reading this means you have an interest in competing for Miss Gay Delaware America Femme and Miss Gay America Femme. Welcome! Tia Wanna, Scarlet, Kasey, and I are thrilled you share an interest in the Gay America Pageantry System. Whether you’re an America Aficionado or a newcomer, thank you for taking an interest in America’s rich history and enduring legacy within the LGBTQI+ community.

Founded in 1972, the Gay America Pageantry System is the oldest and longest-running national drag pageant in the country. The System has served, and continues to serve, as a source of inspiration, as an outlet for artistic innovation, as an escape from our collective reality, and as an overt display of defiance against those in power who would see the LGBTQI+ community relegated to the shadows. Its Femme Division exemplifies the system’s evolution and growth. It celebrates, empowers, uplifts, and provides access, opportunities, and a platform for trans and cis women; AFAB nonbinary, trans feminine, and agender people; and AMAB nonbinary, trans feminine, and agender people.

Competitors and reigning city, state, regional, and national representatives are encouraged to embrace their authenticity, originality, and individualism, because daring to express, present, and live as one’s true self enables one to really shine. As competitors or reigning representatives, we become representatives of the System and of the LGBTQI+ community. We embody the beauty, creativity, and diversity that make the LGBTQI+ community endure and inspire others to live courageously in a world that frequently mandates conformity and silence.

That you have an interest in showcasing your skills, intellect, talent, and beauty at a time when so many tells us that we do not belong should be applauded. It takes tremendous courage to stand on a stage. It also takes time, energy, and resources to compete, so thank you for investing in both the System and in yourself.

Should you choose to embark on this journey and compete, I sincerely hope you find it as lifechanging and rewarding as I and so many others have.

Thank you for considering Miss Gay Delaware America Femme and Miss Gay America Femme. I hope to see you at Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia, in January 2027!

With love,

Anya Marino