Montreal welcomes six finalists for a survival of the fierce and fabulous to crown the second annual Queer of the Year contest winner during Montreal Pride Week. Hosted annually by Tourisme Montréal, the contest is open to boys, girls and everyone in between from all over the world.
Contestants submitted applications in June, and 20 semi-finalists were selected for Skype interviews. A panel of judges narrowed the colorful lineup down to six finalists based on personality, community involvement, sex appeal, healthy lifestyle and yes, even talent!
The finalists will be whisked off to Montreal to compete in a variety of challenges throughout Pride Week (August 8 - 14). It will all be captured on film beginning August 7, so be sure to keep up with the action online and vote for your favorite contestants on the Queer of the Year Facebook page.
At the end of the competition, the finalist with the most public votes combined with the most points from the judges will win the ultimate title of Queer of the Year 2011, take part in Montreal’s Pride parade and pocket $5,000 CAD.
Of the six finalists, there are two adorable ladies - Yenna Woloshen and Christine Rodriguez - vying to be Queer of the Year. Check out their bios:
Yenna Woloshen from Saskatoon, Canada
Yenna, also known as the China Doll, has an evocative, red-lipstick smile and irresistible charm. She sees the good in anything, even in bugs that show up uninvited to parties. Her art and gay idols are Andy Warhol and Prince and as the perfect compliment, she admires the wit and style of Audrey Hepburn. Yenna's diet may be simple - bananas, peanut butter toast and eggs - but her fascination with 80s glam, Lolita allure and standing out are elaborately hot.
Christine Rodriguez from Brooklyn, New York
Christine is the definition of the lesbian who wears her heart on her sleeve… as well as her lips. She is a poet (yes, she knows it), comic and LGBT outreach enthusiast. Her laugh alone should be played in hospitals to cheer people up, and her cooking is a passion she loves to share with friends. This self-described drama queen loves to strut her drag-hippie-punk rocker-dandy self wherever she goes: yoga, knitting, the kitchen and maybe below your belt.
Find out more about all six finalists below, and don’t forget to cast your vote!
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