The Miss Island Queen pageant has raised nearly $600,000 in the five years since Key West business owner Kirby Myers dreamed it up as a fundraiser for Samuel’s House, a local shelter for women and children in need.
This year’s event, a four-week fundraising campaign by amateur drag queens paired with professionals as their coaches, brought in $214,000 and culminated May 5 with the crowning of Scottie Jahn, aka Auna Bender, as Miss Island Queen 2026.
The final fundraising extravaganza at Key West Theater has become a can’t-miss event in Key West, where supporters throw thousands of dollars onto the stage during a variety of hilarious performances.
“What a truly amazing night for the 5th annual Miss Island Queen,” Myers wrote on Facebook after the event. “Congrats to all of these amazing queens, and thank you to our sponsors, contestants and anyone who donated and helped us raise funds for the incredible organization.
“Miss Island Queen was founded for the sole purpose of raising funds for Samuel’s House, a local shelter for women and children in need. Community members campaign over the course of four weeks, hosting events to raise money.”
This year’s teams of contestants and coaches were:
- Scottie Jahn, aka Auna Bender, and coach QMitch.
- Mark Huffman, aka Ida Ho, and coach Maya Montana.
- Justin Harris, aka Trixie Dixie, and coach Beatrix Dixie.
- Becky Damian, aka “Manny Mansplain,” and coach Erin McKenna, aka Hugh Janus, who won as Hugh in Miss Island Queen’s first year.
- Nick Mazza, aka Nicky Gaga, and coach Jessica Deveraux.
