Ms. Virginia Slim
Ms. Virginia Slim
AKA Stella North Dallas
AKA Gary Way
14 Nov 1940 - 06 Sep 1987
Clubs & Associations
Fistful of Crinolines
Puddletown Dancers
Biography
Ms. Virginia Slim was the original Honky Tonk Queen, reigning from 1984 - 1986. It is rumored that she was able to keep her crown for so long by not inviting any other contestants.
Remembrances
Chapter 1: 1984 Seattle, 1985 Denver, 1986 San Francisco
The Early Years (The Ones Without SYBIL)
The Honky Tonk Queen Pageant was originally created in response to a square dance record entitled "Honky Tonk Queen" recorded by two internationally famous callers, Paul Marcum and Elmer Sheffield. Both of these callers were at the first convention in Seattle. The song was such a hit with Miss Virginia Slim from Seattle that she created the Honky Tonk Queen Pageant. She not only created it, she crowned herself Queen! What a Woman! And by creating the pageant she it she established herself as one of the most important Drag Queens in all of Drag Queen history! Was it because she was the first queen? NO! Was it because she won the next year in Denver and the next year in San Francisco? NO! Was it because she was one hell of a lady who will always be in hearts of all the people who have had the chance to know her? NO! Any one of these would have been more than enough reason for the dear girl to go down in history, but all these reasons were overshadowed by her ultimate claim to fame. By creating the Honky Tonk Queen Pageant, IT WAS THERE FOR SYBIL TO WIN![1]
Memorial Panel
Photos
Virginia Slim reigning over Puddletown's Geoduck Jamboree Cruise, Summer 1986
summer 1986
Virginia Slim and Harlan Kerr on the Puddletown boat cruise 1986
Virginia Slim and Ruby Luke on the Puddletown boat cruise 1986
Virginia Slim and Sam Kaluf on the Puddletown boat cruise 1986
Gary Way (Virginia Slim) and Ronn Pelley (Barb Wire) from Fistful of Crinolines Tacky Tourist Boat Cruise send-off
HRH Virginia Slim about to board the train from Seattle to Portland, July 1987
The Fabulous Cow Patty, Jamie Morrison, and HRH Virginia Slim about to board the train from Seattle to Portland, July 1987
HRH Virginia Slim presenting HTQ crown to Sybil, Portland Convention July 1987
Steffany Stamper, Blanchie Jo Bradley, and HRH Virginia Slim Portland Convention, July 1987
Gary Way, Ross Crawshaw-Lopton, Corey Taylor and David Eken on train to Explode The Rose, 1987
A trio of Beauties at Explode The Rose, 1987. Steffany (Freeman Stamper), Blanchie Jo Bradley (James Ozanich), Ms. Virginia Slim (Gary Way), 1st Honky Tonk Queen
Virginia Slim escorted at the 1987 convention by Allen Skinner (of Squares Across the Border)
Gary Way (Virginia Slim) writing a note to be given to the new HTQ in Portland 1987
Virginia Slim's Queen's speech 1987 Portland. "Look at all those men and their feet are all on the floor"
Virginia Slim at 1987 convention. "I'm ready for my close-up"
Virginia Slim at 1987 Explode The Rose Convention
1987 at the banquet, ready to give an announcement about the upcoming HTQ contest. Her quote: "I don't want to take this responsibility to my grave!"
Virginia Slim preparing to host the conclave to name the second HTQ at the 1987 Portland convention
Virginia Slim arriving at the banquet at the 1987 Explode The Rose Convention
