Sometimes, revolution begins in the most unexpected places. For Memphis, that place was the Guild Theatre—now known as the Evergreen Theatre—on Halloween night in 1969. That evening, a seemingly simple drag pageant, the Miss Memphis Review, would go on to spark a shift in the city’s LGBTQ+ history. What started as a clever loophole to circumvent oppressive laws became a Stonewall moment for the Memphis LGBTQ+ community. The event not only gave Memphis its first public drag show but also marked a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ community’s fight for visibility and equality in the South.
The story of the Miss Memphis Review is deeply intertwined with the life and vision of Bill Kendall, the fearless manager of the Guild Theatre. In the 1960s, Memphis, like much of the country, imposed draconian laws that criminalized cross-dressing and same-sex dancing, forcing the LGBTQ+ community to live in the shadows, fearing public exposure and legal persecution. Kendall, however, was undeterred. Known for his audacity and passion for artistic expression, he made the Guild Theatre a hub for showing controversial, arthouse films that often ran afoul of city censors. Under his stewardship, the theater became a sanctuary for those who sought to express themselves authentically, despite the oppressive environment outside its walls.
The catalyst for the Miss Memphis Review was Memphis’ city ordinance banning cross-dressing—an archaic law that threatened LGBTQ+ individuals with arrest, public humiliation, and potential job loss. But Halloween, with its license for costumed revelry, provided a rare opportunity to skirt the law. Kendall seized upon this moment, organizing a public drag pageant under the guise of Halloween festivities. He cleverly invited “real girls”—gender-conforming women dressed in elaborate costumes—to attend, ensuring the event wouldn’t draw immediate suspicion from law enforcement. It was an ingenious act of defiance, as Kendall provided a platform for men to publicly perform in drag, a visual protest against the city’s repressive laws.
The Miss Memphis Review was far more than a Halloween party—it was, as Memphis LGBTQ+ historian Vincent Astor described, “Memphis’ Stonewall.” Held just four months after the Stonewall Riots in New York City, the pageant became Memphis’ own act of quiet rebellion. For the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in the South, where visibility was often met with harsh consequences, the pageant was an audacious declaration of existence and pride. Despite fears of police raids, the event went off without incident. Attendees were treated to a night of dazzling performances by 18 contestants in evening gowns, dayglo-painted palm trees, and a glowing sense of solidarity. By the end of the night, Jimmy “Candace” Cagle was crowned Miss Memphis, cementing the event’s place in local LGBTQ+ history.
What makes the Miss Memphis Review so remarkable is not just its role in circumventing discriminatory laws but also the spirit of community it fostered. In an era where being openly gay could ruin lives, the pageant became a safe space for individuals to celebrate themselves without fear. It gave birth to Memphis’ own version of Pride, where LGBTQ+ people could gather, connect, and take pride in their identity. For many, it was the first time they had publicly expressed their true selves without the cloak of secrecy.
The significance of that night has only grown in the decades since. The Miss Memphis Review wasn’t just a one-time event; it was a turning point for Memphis’ LGBTQ+ community, a first step toward the gradual dismantling of the city’s oppressive social norms. In the years following the pageant, the LGBTQ+ community in Memphis became more visible and courageous. By 1975, there were five gay bars in the city (including George’s), and in 1976, Memphis hosted its first Pride event, Gay Day at the Park. The 1969 pageant set the stage for what would become a flourishing movement toward acceptance, and it laid the groundwork for the establishment of organizations, newspapers, and safe spaces that would sustain the community for generations to come.
Fifty years after the Miss Memphis Review, its legacy was cemented with the unveiling of a historical marker outside the Evergreen Theatre in 2019. The marker honors the event’s profound significance, describing how the pageant was “a turning point in the decrease of harassment of gay men and lesbians in Memphis.” The fact that this acknowledgment was made by the city itself speaks volumes about how far Memphis has come—and how pivotal that Halloween night in 1969 truly was.
Yet, even as we celebrate this progress, we are reminded that the fight for equality and freedom is far from over. The defiance embodied by Bill Kendall and the brave performers of the Miss Memphis Review still serves as a beacon for today’s LGBTQ+ activists. The recent resurgence of laws targeting drag performances and LGBTQ+ expression, particularly in states like Tennessee, shows that the spirit of resistance remains as relevant today as it was over five decades ago.
In honoring the legacy of the Miss Memphis Review, we also honor the courage it took to stand up against injustice and to carve out spaces where self-expression could thrive. The pageant’s influence stretches far beyond the walls of the Evergreen Theatre, inspiring generations to come to embrace the power of visibility, community, and protest. It reminds us that even in the face of oppression, love, and authenticity will always find a way to shine through.
As we look back on that fateful night in 1969, we celebrate not just a drag pageant, but a revolution in disguise—one that continues to inspire the fight for freedom, dignity, and pride for all.
