Greetings Everyone,
Hope all is well and I hope this finds everyone in great health. The month of November was the month to be thankful. I was very thankful in a lot of ways.
Although it’s only been about a month and a half since I was named Mr. Gay USofA at Large, I have been very busy with work (I bartend 5 nights a week), doing shows with my fellow cast members at the Pegasus Nightclub, and sewing for other entertainer’s, I am very thankful for these opportunities in my life. A lot of things in life are taken for granted but as for myself, I’m very blessed with what has been placed in front of me. For that I’m thankful.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. I spend time with my family, friends, and love ones. But if you really know me, you know I really love to eat! What can I say, I am Mr. Gay USofA at Large! I have a reputation to up hold. If I am ever in your city or if you are in San An- tonio, TX, hit me up for break- fast, lunch, or dinner. I like snacks too! I am always up for it. You know big boys like to eat.
There are a lot of great things that are going to happen with the Mr. Gay USofA at Large division and I am extremely excited that I get to be a part of it! We have new preliminaries as well as some new faces (along with the old faces) joining us which I am very happy with. I am always looking for new ideas or ways to improve or that we can add to our division so if you have any ideas, information or even questions about the Mr. Gay USofA at Large, you are welcome to e-mail me (dwhitney@usofa.org), Facebook me, or contact me through Instagram and let me know what you think or what you would like to see. If you want to come to compete but you are scared, I am here and I am all ears! It is not just about me, it’s about US! That is what makes USofA such a great system!
I know there are a lot of guys that meet the requirements for Mr. Gay USofA at Large but don’t have a preliminary near you. If you know someone that would like to be a part of USofA send them my way.
Think back to my first article I said I won on my seventh attempt, and dreams really do come true. With hard work, dedication and the drive, anything is possible. When I first started competing (in 2008) I did Mr. Gay Austin USofA (a local prelim to Mr. Gay Texas USofA at Large) and got 1 st alternate. I cried my eyes out because I thought I had won. That was the beginning of my love for USofA. I continued to compete and was second to last in 2008, the year Samson won Mr. Gay USofA at Large. It was really an experience. I told myself I can do this with little experience so I started preparing for the next year. I qualified for Mr. Gay Texas USofA at Large and placed 4 th alternate to Angel Crawford. Again, I was excited and determined to be Mr. Gay Texas USofA at Large so I entered the 1 st preliminary and won. I wasn’t financially ready. Sasha Lauren and I started becoming good friends that year and we both used the same dancers. We reassured each other everything would be ok. After we both qualified (Sasha – Miss Gay Inergy USofA at Large and me – Mr. Gay Inergy USofA at Large), it was then we started our journey together. We continued on to the state prelim and again we both won. We had an amazing experience reign- ing together and never thought we would have the opportunity to reign together again.
After competing for four more years I decided to take some time off. Even after competing in an- other system and placing 14 th out of 29 boy’s I was ecstatic! Then my friends and family started putting a little bird in my ear to go back to Mr. Gay USofA at Large. But I just needed to focus on me. I wanted to do different things. BUT when Sasha won Miss Gay USofA at Large she told me that we could do this one more time and reign together again. After a lot of convincing from her and some really close friends I decided if I am going to do this it would be my last time. I took everything I learned from my years of com- peting and made it the best package I have every had and decided the last preliminary was going to be the one I was going to enter.
It was the day before nationals. I made sure my team, my friends, and my family supported me and were on my side first. It was a hard decision, but one I am glad I made with them by my side. Sasha and I were together again.
I won Talent and Interview with a perfect score and was two points shy of a perfect score in Club Wear. My dream finally came true! What I had put into this system finally paid off! That’s why I call my monthly article “The Large Lucky #7”. It took 7 tries! So, if you are out there and don’t think you can do it, make sure you have an amazing support team of friends and family. You can do it! You can become Mr. Gay USofA at Large. AND don’t ever let anyone tell you that just because you are “different” you can’t make it. I am just a little more feminine but that’s ok because it is what defines you as a person. You are an entertainer not because of what you look like or how you act or feel. As long as you keep your fans entertained you have done your job. In this industry that’s all that matters. It’s all about entertainment and let me tell you I am going to be doing a lot of entertaining this year. Always remember you too can be Mr. Gay USofA at Large.
I am excited to share my journey with each and every one of you and it’s going to be a great experience for me as well as for you. I plan on being myself. Know that you can be yourself and compete at the same time. It will be an enjoyable experience for you along your journey to be Mr. Gay USofA at Large.
Remember if you have any questions, concerns or just want to talk please e-mail me, message me through Facebook or Instagram, or if you have my number send me a text. I will respond as soon as possible.
It’s going to be an incredible year. I love you all and I will see you soon!
Dakota Whitney
Mr. Gay USofA at Large
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