The dust has settled on the controversy surrounding the Cindy Thompson Miss Teen Bahamas Programme, which stripped former queen Gari McDonald, of her crown for publicly revealing that she was a lesbian.
Yet in the midst of this cloud of confusion, questions of morality and legal pursuits, a new teen pageant has emerged, which is open to both heterosexuals and gays.
But there is one catch. The newly established Theodore Elyett’s Miss Teen Bahamas World and Miss Teen Bahamas International programme mandates that any queen bearing its title is required to sign a contract which stipulates that such candidate will keep her sexuality private.
“We don’t waver here and there. We have a contract that stipulates what we stand for and we stand by that,” exhorted Theodore Sealy, founder and president of Theodore Elyett Productions, which owns the franchise. “We do not discriminate. In our queen’s contract, it clearly states that whether heterosexual, bi-sexual, or lesbian, that is you…outside of our title. We ask you to keep that private and personal. At no point and time is the queen allowed to publicly or privately disclose her sexual preference because she is representing you, not only in the country but around the world. Now after she has finished her reign and she wishes to do that, we don’t have a problem with that; but if she publicly displays it, she will be stripped.”
Mr Sealy was speaking at a press conference held at Superclubs Breezes on Wednesday, where he introduced the current/first holder of Miss Teen Bahamas World title, Shenique Whymns, a 2005 graduate of St. Augustine’s College. Ms Whymns, the current Debutante of the year, Miss Teen Bahamas 2003 and winner of a total of five pageant titles, was chosen to represent The Bahamas after competing in a private screening against seven other young ladies.
The Theodore Elyett’s Miss Teen Bahamas World and Miss Teen Bahamas International pageant, slated for August 13, 2006 at the Wyndham Crystal Palace Resort, will be held under the theme, “Showcasing the Beauty of The Bahamas.”
“It invites young ladies between the ages 14 through 18 to participate in the most enriching teen pageant programme in The Bahamas, placing special concentration on grooming, etiquette, talent and exposure.”
By: VANESSA C ROLLE, Nassau Guardian Lifestyles Editor
