Charlotte Pride 2023 Pageant Rules & Regulations
The following are the Charlotte Pride Pageant Rules & Regulations, which outline the specific rules, regulations, eligibility, and other criteria governing the Charlotte Pride Pageant, its contestants and other participants, and the Charlotte Pride Title Holders. The following sections of this document may be amended at any time for any reason by Charlotte Pride.
A. CONTESTANT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA & FINALIST SELECTION RULES
Contestants must meet the following criteria in order to participate in the 2023 Charlotte Pride pageant:
- Contestant must be at least 18 years of age.
- Contestant must reside within a 100-mile radius of the Charlotte, NC.
- Contestant must not be a current or former Charlotte Pride Title Holder in any category (Mr., Ms., or Mx.).
Contestants will be limited to a maximum of three contestants per category. If more than three contestants register to compete for a single title, judges will utilize the pre-pageant interview to determine the final three contestants. To determine finalists, judges will utilize the scores from the Interview category:
- Total Possible Score: 0-150
- General Appearance: 0-25
- Personality: 0-30
- Ability to Communicate: 0-50
- Answer Content: 0-50
If less than three contestants register to compete for a single title, the number of contestant slots available for other titles will increased proportionally, equitably, and according to need.
B. PAGEANT RULES & REGULATIONS
The following rules and regulations will apply for the 2023 Charlotte Pride pageant:
Judging
- Charlotte Pride has final approval in selecting judges.
- Winners will be selected based on a cumulative scoring system. In the event of a tie, the winner will be selected by an on-stage question to be selected by the panel of judges.
- Final score tallying will be done on a cumulative scale. All scores frin all justed will be calculated and no scores will be dropped. This follows scoring of other notable pageant systems (i.e., Miss Gay America).
Pageant Overview
The Charlotte Pride Pageant will have up to three winners, who will equally reign as the Charlotte Pride Court. These title holders will hold the titles of Mr., Ms., or Mx. and will select their preferred title via their application. In the event that no contestants submit an application for a given title, that title will not be given out. Only one winner per title will be selected.
All contestants will be judged in the following categories:
- Interview
- Each contestant will have an interview with the judging panel. This judging panel may be different from the judges panel at the official Charlotte Pride Pageant during the Festival & Parade.
- All interviews will take place at the Charlotte Pride offices ahead of the 2023 Pageant with final dates to be confirmed in July 2023.
- The interview will be used to determine finalists for competition if more than three contestants register to compete for a single title.
- "Show Your Pride" Presentation & On-Stage Question
- This category is intended to allow participants to showcase their creative interpretation of what Pride means to them.
- Contestants are encouraged to choose one or more colors from a pride flag (i.e., Gay, Bi, Trans, Nonbinary, Bear, Pup, etc.) and present a creative costume displaying what pride means to them.
- On-stage questions will function as a quasi-interview with hosts, who will ask questions that pageant winners will likely answer during their reign as a Title Holder.
- Talent
- Any type of talent is acceptable, except those that are illegal or which may cause personal injury to the audience or any other person. This includes but is not limited to the use of fire, liquids, etc.
- Talent will be limited to seven minutes.
- Music for the talent category must be submitted via email to Communications Manager Liz Schob at lizs@charlottepride.org by Friday, August 11.
- All participants must also bring a digital copy of their music on a flash drive to the performance itself. It is also recommended that contestants have a backup option in case of any technical issues.
- Each contestant will be allowed only two dancers due to staging restrictions.
- Stage restrictions also restrict the use of props. For questions about prop use, please reach out to Charlotte Pride staff.
Additional Rules & Regulations
- The Charlotte Pride Pageant is gender-inclusive and is open to anyone who wishes to compete under their definition of the art of drag. Contestants are encouraged to choose the category that best fits their respective drag.
- Each contestant will be allowed one dresser.
- Contestants are required to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Prohibited behavior is grounds for immediate disqualification and expulsion from the hosting establishment. Prohibited behavior includes but is not limited to:
- The use of any illegal substances
- Overconsumption of alcoholic beverages
- Underage consumption of alcoholic beverages
- Violent or threatening language or behavior
- Discriminatory words, statements, actions or other behavior which violate the mission, vision and values of Charlotte Pride
- Theft of, or intentional damage or destruction to real and personal property
- Contestants must avoid any public outbursts, complaints, threats, etc. against Charlotte Pride, Pride title holders, judges, volunteers, other contestants, etc. or risk being banned from all future pageants.
- Charlotte Pride reserves the right to make a decision concerning any matters not covered in these rules and regulations and/or the contestant agreement.
C. TITLE HOLDER OBLIGATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
The winners (hereafter, “Title Holder”) of the pageant will assume the title of Mr., Ms., or Mx. Charlotte Pride for the 2023-2024 season. Title Holder is obligated to and agrees to the following:
- Appear at up to three events chosen by Charlotte Pride
- Serve as a Team Coordinator for the next year’s Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade Planning Committee
- Perform on the Main Stage on Sunday, August 20
- Appear in the 2023 Pride Parade
- Appear at the 2023 Pride VIP Area
- Perform in the 2023 Festival Youth & Family Zone.
Title Holder also understands that their title is purely honorary and carries with it no inherent rights, privileges, or responsibilities beyond the specific responsibilities outlined in this document and that Title Holder cannot independently act on behalf of or make official representations for Charlotte Pride.
D. CHARLOTTE PRIDE REMEDIES
In the event Title Holder is unwilling or unable to fulfill their obligations and responsibilities outlined above, or if the Title Holder defaults on any of the provisions included in this contestant agreement, Charlotte Pride retains the right at its absolute and sole discretion to any or more of the following:
- Revoke or rescind the title from the Title Holder.
- Refuse bookings and appearances of any official nature to the Title Holder.
- Refuse entry into any future pageants or Charlotte Pride events.
- Other remedies not listed above.
E. HOLD HARMLESS
Contestant/Title Holder agrees to indemnify Charlotte Pride, Inc., its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, or other agents, and hold them harmless with respect to any defense that they shall be required to make in connection with any claim or action arising out of Contestant’s/Title Holder’s involvement/participation with the pageant, parade or festival, including the payment of reasonable attorney’s fees.
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