Tom Thailand, A Queer Masc-of-Center Pageant, Crowns First-Ever Winner

If you were ever hoping for more queer masculine representation in media à la King of Drag, look no further than Tom Thailand, the country’s first ever national pageant for “toms,” a culturally specific term for masc-of-center lesbians, transmascs, and trans men.. The months-long competition announced its winner on October 3 at the Calypso Cabaret in Bangkok’s Asiatique mall, with Methisa “Khru Me” Suphaphoem taking home the coveted title and crown. Contestants Michelle, Georgia, Mee In, and Aom were announced as the first to fourth runners-up, respectively.During the summer, on July 25 and 26, Thailand held a round of auditions for this inaugural Tom Thailand pageant, which was meant to platform queer masc-of-center talent. According to TimeOut Bangkok, pageant director Wilailak “Nan” Sirisakhon, who has over 20 years of experience in the Thai nightlife scene, estimated that about “around 80% of contestants kept their identities and talents off social media out of fear,” meaning that this competition was a way to help uplift and highlight these skilled contestants. See on Instagram Upwards of 200 people showed up for their chance to compete in this first edition of the competition, with 55 contestants moving onto the first round, and 54 of them eventually performing. The pool was then whittled down to just 10 people for the question portion of the event. The contest, which included the toms performing their individual talents and answering questions onstage, were also judged on their personal appearance, mindset, way of life, and conduct. While competing, the contest organizers shared that the participants in the pageant engaged in free workshops that helped them hone their talents and craft, receiving assistance from talented pageant experts like makeup artist Winit Bunchaisri and singer Keng Thachai Prathumwan. And it’s about time that the toms were granted their own stage to dazzle the masses by showing off their skills and major good look