National Entertainer of the Year was created by entrepreneur and activist George Stinson & Ed Lewis - owners of the legendary Connection Complex Nightclub in Louisville, KY.  They drew their inspiration for EOY from "Female Impersonator of the Year" - a one-time pageant event held in Houston, TX in 1985.   Hosted by Ruth Buzzi and Lyle Waggoner, the pageant was released as a cable-tv special and home video program.  The winner of that contest (the late Naomi Sims) has been honored as EOY Emeritus.  Since 2000, EOY is the major fundraising arm of the SLS Pride Foundation, Inc., a non-profit foundation dedicated to the betterment of diverse cultures.