HOW IT ALL BEGAN . . .

In 1989, a group of friends (Mark Cline, Alan McArthur, Michael Del Giudice, Jason Shadix, and the late Duane Garrett) returned from a trip to Charleston, SC, where they were recovering from a strict regimen of the Old South prim-and-proper social code. Their apt response was to organize a drag ball in Athens. As the planning began, the question of entertainment for the night came up. There was some concern that people might not be comfortable performing in drag. At that time, there was no specific "gay bar" in Athens and most people made the trek to Atlanta to play and see drag. Mark Cline remembered meeting Vernon Wall at the fabulous 40 Watt on one of it's
infamous "Gay Friendly Monday Nights." Vernon had been performing as Coretta Scott Queen (a southern gospel gem) with the Armorettes in Atlanta. Since the Armorettes were known for their charity camp drag work, Vernon joined the committee to coordinate the entertainment. In order to give the event an air of genuine respectability, they made the evening a benefit for local charities. The party was christened "Boybutante Ball: A Night of a Thousand Barbras."

Party-goers at this first Ball were urged to arrive at the now defunct Rockfish Palace (today's Boneshakers) in their wildest, most fabulous outfits, and they did.  The club was packed-- and the $800 raised was given to AIDS Athens and the Battered Women's Shelter.  Before the evening had ended, a tradition had begun.

The next year, the Ball moved to the legendary 40 Watt Club, where R.E.M. and the B-52s got their start.  It continued to draw larger and larger crowds, and in 1996 the Boybutante Committee was incorporated as the "Boybutante AIDS Foundation, Inc.," a nonprofit organization, registered in the state of Georgia.

The Ball has steadily grown--it has been a sell-out since 1992--to become the social event of the spring season in Athens.  Revolving around a Broadway-style revue featuring the prodigious talents of local--and imported--drag queens, the Ball also includes contests in which audience members compete for titles and then dance 'til they drop--or until a heel breaks.

Since its birth in 1989, the Boybutante Ball--along with its sponsors and the people who attend its events--have raised more than $300,000 for AIDS services organizations. With tremendous community support, the Boybutante Ball is now preceded by a week of special events at various venues in downtown Athens, and followed by a delicious Brunch. The Boybutante AIDS Foundation also raises money throughout the year by hosting Boybutante Bingo - Christmas in July, a Back to School Party, our annual Boo-Butante Halloween Party, and other special events. We also proudly sponsor fundraising events of other organizations involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

2008 Boybutante 19 "Jailhouse FRock " Miss Bogart: Lacie
2007 Boybutante 18 "Saturday Night Divas" Miss Bogart: Ruby Valentine
2006 Boybutante 17 "Junior League of Superheroes" Miss Bogart: Miss Mona
2005 Boybutante 16 "Sixteen (S)Candles" Miss Bogart: Sue Pena
2004 Boybutante 15 "VERTI G0-G0" Miss Bogart: Christina Bombay
2003 Boybutante 14 "Double-O Diva" Miss Bogart: Gloria Manderbilt
2002 Boybutante 13 "Diva Las Vegas" Miss Bogart: Sasha
2001 Boybutante 12 "She Haw" Miss Bogart: Pelvis Pressme (Mama Dot Com)
2000 Boybutante 11 "New Wig Order" Miss Bogart: André Champale
1999 Boybutante 10 "Apocalipstick Now" Miss Bogart: Sophia LoRent
1998 Boybutante 9 "Nine Inch Heels" Miss Bogart: Ella Gant
1997 Boybutante 8 "Designer or Nothing" Miss Bogart: Chi-Chi
1996 Boybutante 7 "Seven Dragly Sins" Miss Bogart: Wild Cherry Sucret
1995 Boybutante 6 "Interview With a Drag Queen" Miss Bogart: Veranda Foyer
1994 Boybutante 5 "Miss Thing Impossible" Miss Bogart: Happy Rockefeller
1993 Boybutante 4 "Beauty Hurts" Miss Bogart: Jetta Fahrvergnugen
1992 Boybutante 3 "One Hundred New Ways to Wear Your Hair" Miss Bogart: Coretta Scott Queen
1991 Boybutante 2 "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" Miss Bogart: Miss Kathy
1990 Boybutante 1 "A Nite of a Thousand Barbras" Miss Bogart: Mz. Daisy