{ INTRODUCING } “She wasn’t just my mom, she was also my paternal grandmother. She raised me until her passing, which was a month after my fifteenth birthday. She is the only reason I am still going. She taught me to be a fighter and to go above and beyond my sexuality, ethnicity and gender”.
the audience. Lastly, study the pageant system in which you are competing. Look at each former contestant. Analyze the characteristics they share. Mirror them without copying. Authenticity wins, and fakeness only gets you in the door. Don’t ever take it for granted. Put in the actual effort. Don’t overanalyze. Remember always to never look back once sash, medallion, crown etc. is on your head and your haters marvel!” Gary shares: “I am the guy from the projects from Spanish Harlem. I grew up in a broken family. As a chocolate man, who knew nothing about pageantry, I took this life on as a way to empower myself from my previous shortcomings. I survived being abandoned by both of my parents at birth. I battled my way out of special education by the 9th grade ( was placed there between 2nd and 8th grade), graduated from high school surviving being the only LGBT person and doing it in 3 years. I was homeless three times in my lifetime and still maintained my pageantry and entertainment career. I was assaulted by family and strangers. I was ridiculed by others, including people who I once looked up to. This adversity only makes me strive more for greatness”. Gary is most grateful for Ms. Mary Louise Washington. This is his paternal grandmother. Gary tells RWO,“Well, she knows my answer!!! She is the most beautiful woman ever. She wasn’t just my mom, she was also my paternal grandmother. She raised me until her passing, which was a month after my fifteenth birthday. She is the only reason I am still going. She taught me to be a fighter and to go above and beyond my sexuality, ethnicity and gender”.
Gary’s talent does not stop there. He is a lead male performer, stylist, actor, singer, dancer and retail specialist. His hobbies include collecting hats, fashion frames, hand gloves and super hero memorabilia. He also enjoys classic/ reality/cartoon/TV. He loves singing weekly at karaoke, shooting pool, rock climbing and playing trivia. Styling people is also a favorite past time. Watching someone evolve into a stronger person is rewarding. As far as being creative, this is a way of life for Gary. He is also an avid creator of creative beverages for parties! He maintains his ties to Sigma Lambda Beta International and Alpha Phi Omega National Co-ed Service Fraternities.
honesty and everyone learning to find their own iconic moments, as Gary shares with you his. He will also share interesting stories of first-hand male pageant accounts and he will teach you how to uncover the secrets of experiencing an ICONIC MOMENT. Stay tuned for the next episode!
Gary hopes to continue with Pageantry success and continuing to serve as a titleholder. He looks forward to getting married and having a family and who knows maybe even an Oscar nomination. He has hopes to continue with pageantry charity and will seek to raise money for cancer awareness and the homeless including establishing a scholarship program through his platform (#BETRUETOYOU). He promotes positive self- esteem and self-image through social media advocacy and helping those who have experienced cyber bullying. Gary will continue to assist others in their goals of becoming pageant title holders. He strives to obtain his own apartment and a new car. He would like to have the opportunity to become NY’s #1 Male Lead Entertainer. Gary says he has stopped trying to predict everything as far as what the future will hold. He hopes he will continue with everything he does, leading to something ICONIC or an INCONIC MOMENT. He looks forward to writing for RWO and you can expect truthfulness, facts, ROCHESTER WOMAN ONLINE :: JAN/FEB NEW YEAR NEW YOU 2019
119