PHOTOS: The Queens From “Best In Drag” Race To Raise Money For L.A. AIDS Charity

What originally started as a small group of friends in a West Hollywood living room in 1989 has grown into an annual tongue-in-cheek beauty pageant raising money to support those living with AIDS.

Then called Battle for the Tiara, the event raised $400, collected from twenty people. Today, Best in Drag has raised over $3 million since its current incarnation in 2003 for Aid for AIDS — a non-profit helping to prevent homelessness and hunger for men, women, children and families with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles County.

“Behind the sparkles, spangles, and spandex is a great cause,” said Terry Goddard II, Executive Director of Alliance for Housing and Healing, “providing housing and food for those who are devastated with HIV/AIDS and poverty.”

The 2013 contestants include Miss California, Beverly Center;  Miss Michigan, Electra Caprice Riviera; Miss New Jersey, Vava Fanculo; Miss Puerto Rico, Mimi E; Miss Washington, D.C., Ciera Lyon; Miss Wisconsin, Misty O’Portunity. With all that shtick flying we hope everyone’s well tucked.

Celebrity judges include Emmy Award winner Holland Taylor (Two and A Half Men), Golden Globe nominee Mireille Enos (The Killing), Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), Bellamy Young (Scandal), and Kathy Kinney (The Secret Life of the American Teenager).

Check out below for photos of the queens vying to snatch the crown and how to purchase tickets.

Mimi E.

Ciera Leone

Vava Fanculo

Misty O’Portunity

Electra Caprice Riviera

Beverly Centre

 The 11th annual Best in Drag pageant will be held on October 6, 2013 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Purchase tickets here or call 323-344-4880.