Fridae

Despite being teased mercilessly by the stunningly glamourous dragqueen host, Leroy, about the difference between having sex with men and women, Naz beat nine other contests to reign as Singapore's femme of the year. The energetic and cheerful 26-year-old is a professional dancer who has performed at numerous lesbian parties in town.

More than 1500 lesbians watched the finals of the Femme Quest contest organised by Singapore's leading lesbian party organiser, Club Herstory on Tuesday night.

According to the organiser, Cary Tan, Femme Quest is not about the search for the most outwardly beautiful femme but rather, a contest that honours attributes such as personality, charm and wit as the winner would eventually have to represent Club Herstory. Incidentally, Club Herstory is also the producer of the wildly successful Butch Hunt contest held last year as well as the monthly girls' only parties at Zouk, which has since become a regular fixture on the Singapore lesbian scene since 1998.

Last year's Butch Hunt champion - Chris Yee, the former Femme Quest Winner - Lin Goh, Zouk's Esther Tan, popular fashion producer and choreographer - Rizal, Fridae's editor - Sylvia Tan, Miss Singapore Asia-Pacific 1984 - Fauzial M. Tan and Koriynne Wong who sponsored the jewellery prizes made up the judging panel.

Taylor, a flight stewardess, won the GrrrlFridae award and a $500 voucher from i nouvi cosmetics and as well the Miss Body Beautiful award.

Annie, a fresh faced and petite 30-year-old won the Miss Photogenic award while the controversial Calista won the Miss Personality award. Many remember Calista aka Sharle as a lanky butch who participated in the Butch Hunt contest last year. Some expressed their outrage on Fridae's forums that Sharle had been allowed to participate in the contest since she identifies herself as a butch.

In an interview with Fridae, Sharle explained that she joined the contest to "explore her femme side" and that she enjoys "strutting her stuff on the catwalk whether as a butch or femme."

Sonia who received the most cheers from the crowd won the first runner-up award while Yen won the Most Wanted Femme and the second runner-up awards.