Mister Gay World pageant which took place at the Gold Reef City's Lyric Theatre atrracted a sold out crowd on Easter Sunday ( 8 April 2012) when the international lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex ( LGBT) community crowned its new world ambassador. The aim for this year's competition was to highlight the plight of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people across Africa as well as to give hope to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people themselves by showing them positive role models and that can be achieved if they persist. The tickets for this event were ranging from R100 to R750 at Computicket. The MCs for this huge event were Cathy Specific and Will Fennel. The guests who attended the even were entertained by Kamaliya from Ukraine, Umojo from South Africa and other various local artists. The day before the event on the 7th of April 2012 a charity auction was held at Fairway Hotel and Gold Resort, each competitor had to bring a memento from his home country, which was auctioned with the proceeds going to a children's charity.
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| Umojo entertaining the crowd |
With this year's competition, different events were held over five days ( from the 4th to the 8th of April)these events included physical fitness tests, interviews, nightwear and swimsuit competitions, what took place during these five days was the Bone Wear Model of the year, Best Sports Challenger, Best Charity Participant, Mr Congeniality and the new Mr Gay World 2012 was crowned.
Mr Gay World is an annual event for gay men that seek to appoint global ambassadors for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community and the event attracts contestants from all over the world. Mr Gay World was launched in 2009, with the first event held in Canda, Norway hosted the event in 2010, Philippined hosted the event in 2011, so this year it was South Africa's turn to host the event which went successfully. The mission of Mr Gay World is to advance national and international gay rights through education and public performance. Mr Gay World has to create authentic leaders who will take responsibility, not only in his community but on a global stage, speaking out for equal rights by inspiring those around him. He has to be genuine and be a positive role model that will champion equally and diversity in the media both gay and mainstream.
In this year's event gay men from 22 countries took part and this year's event was different because it was the first time it was held on African soil and the first time that black African men participated. This was a very important world event which took place for the first time on the African continents, which meant that the African participants faced the most intense discimination and prejudice. A lot of public relations elements was put in this event like the billboards advertising the Mr Gay World pageant, so that people could know about the event
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| Billboard seen in one of the highways in Joburg |
In this eventful gay pageant the lucky gentleman to be crownd that evening as Mr Gay World 2012 was Andreas Derleth of New Zealand. The following Mr Gay World 2013 will be held in Belgium, to be eligible to compete, the delegates must be over 19 and must be chosen to represent their country in 2012.
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| Mr Gay World 2012-Andreas Derleth |
Its agood thing that guy people are recognised worldwide and events are done to show that they are proud of who they are.
ReplyDeleteYes i think with events like this one will help most people to come out of the closest and that Mr Gay himself will educate people about the gay rights.
ReplyDeleteThis was a big event indeed, it is a good thing that they are putting awareness of the gay world in the world but still coming out will not be as easy for the others..i personally say there is still a long way to go.
ReplyDeleteMost people are still afraid to come out of the closest because they afraid of wat people will say or how they will treat them
DeleteLord have mercy; u mean this was in our backyard!! glad didn’t take note of because would had...suppose they didn’t inject much in the advertising campaign hence it wasn’t in our faces and why do it in a Christian weekend? That’s an insult right there
ReplyDeleteSeth why do think it was an insult?
Deleteit really was an event not to be missed. it is good to know that there are events like this one being initiated to change peoples perceptions about Gays and Lesbians.i think this kind of events will also give confidence and courage to those people who are still living in the closet.
ReplyDeleteThats true S'phokazi, im sure after this event that people who are still in the closet will gain the confidence to come out with their sexuality
DeleteIts amazing to see that there is no discrimination especially when it comes to our sexuallity, atleast there are activities out ther that cater for gay people
ReplyDeleteThis proves that we should not discriminate one are another because we are all equal.
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