Thank you for your interest in competing for the title of Ms, Mx or Mr Capital Pride 2026! The Capital Pride Pageant will be taking place on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Please fill out this application in its entirety.
Applications close Friday, May 29, 2026.
Successful applicants will be notified by June 1, and must be available on June 13th for a 15-minute slot at the Contestant Photoshoot between 5-7pm. Capital Pride will review all applications and it is expected that five contestants will be chosen for each of the three categories. Good Luck!
Please note that all successful applicants must be available on June 13 in the evening, AND August 22 all day for dress rehearsal.
Rules and Regulations for Capital Pride Pageant
- Contestants are chosen based on scores from a panel made up of two (2) Capital Pride board members and three (3) previous winners of the Capital Pride Pageant (one each from the Ms. Mr, and Mx. categories). Applicants’ submissions are ranked on a scale of 1-5 on the following questions:
- How confident and professional does the applicant present themselves when answering questions?
- How entertaining was the applicant’s performance video?
- How coordinated are the applicant’s drag looks?
- How does the applicant reflect the values of Capital Pride?
- How much potential does the applicant have to be a titleholder and represent Capital Pride?
- How well does the applicant stand out from other applicants?
The applicants with the top 5 scores in each category (Ms., Mr., and Mx. Capital Pride) will be chosen as contestants. Applicants that do not attain scores that qualify them to compete can ask Capital Pride to provide their scores. Other contestants may not request competitors scores, and scores will not be made publicly available
- Professional photographs will be taken for promotional material for the pageant. A minimum of two professional, edited images will be the contestants’ property to be used for future promotional materials, at the discretion of the contestant and with the written acknowledgement of the photographer in any captions, web copy or equivalent way to recognize the photographer’s work.
- There will be three or four judges for the pageant who will judge all contestants. Each judge will have equal weight in making scoring decisions in each category.
- The pageant judging criteria will be shared with contestants in more detail once the judges have convened and contestants are selected. Copies of sample score sheets will also be shared with contestants ahead of time.
- The winners of each category will receive a crown, sash, the title of Ms., Mr. or Mx. Capital Pride 2026 (respective to their category), and a $1,000 cash prize.
- Numbered scores in each section of the pageant will be provided to contestants. Verbal or written feedback from the judges may be possible, but is not promised.
- Capital Pride, its staff, and board members will in no way sway, encourage, or manipulate the judges’ decisions and scoring. The scores will be solely determined by the judges.
- Capital Pride will equally promote each contestant through social media, its website and promotional materials.