Worldwide Mr. Gay!!!!
07/28/2010
When one hears of a contest named “Worldwide Mr. Gay” the understandable reaction would be, “What? Such a thing exists?”
But it does. And from the looks of it, the contest is quite legit as well. In fact we already have a previous post on this fabulous event.
The World Wide Mr. Gay is something like an annual beauty pageant for homosexual men. The next pageant is set in the Philippines from March 11th to 14th.
Here, enjoy a promotional video:
Mmm.
So, the point of the competition, according to its very macho-looking website, is the following:
The Worldwide Mr. Gay Competition is a 4-day, indoor/outdoor series of events to help our judges identify a strong spokesman or Ambassador to tell the world about our mission. The Competition includes athletic tests and extensive interviews with our panel of judges. Judging points are based on a diverse set of criteria including qualities in charisma, leadership, personality, appearance and communication.
Which is very nice. Except amazing athletic abilities and something like a twelve-pack are totally required for an Ambassador. If only that were so, politics would be so much more interesting.
Let’s see, the mission statement:
The primary purpose of Worldwide Mr. Gay (WMG) is to identify leaders who will take responsibility of being a spokesperson not only in his own community but on a global stage speaking out for equal and human rights. WMG is a positive role model and will work on humanizing being gay in the media both queer and mainstream.
Okay fantastic, this organization is trying to find a positive role model to promote homosexual rights and put a stop to homophobia. That’s all very nice.
One suggestion though — people just might take this pageant more seriously if it isn’t titled Mr. Gay. One of the major headaches of homosexual rights is the fact that people keep using the term “gay” derogatorily to describe things that piss them off. Oh come on, who hasn’t said “That’s so gay!” before? So really, a better name should be implemented immediately.
Because “Mr. Gay Chile Speaks Out” doesn’t sound ridiculous at all.
Here are the delegates of 2010 who competed to be World Wide Mr. Gay (I have to admit the name grows on you after a while though).
Special mention to the Chinese delegate just because China even having a candidate is horrifyingly hilarious. No, seriously. Homosexuality is not met with a smile and an approving slap on the back in China. According to the website each region is responsible for selecting its own delegate, which raises the question: Did the government know about this? China’s Propaganda Agency couldn’t have actually selected a delegate and then shipped him off to represent China. Or could it? If it actually did then it’s a sure sign that the world is ending.
Oh, actually, the Mystery of the Chinese Delegate is now solved.
Six contestants, from countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, chose not to travel to Norway for fear of harassment at home.
Mr Gay China was chosen in a secret competition after authorities raided the venue where the selection was to have taken place in January. Authorities said the event did not have the proper licence.
Mr Gay China said he could face trouble with Chinese authorities when he returned home, but nevertheless travelled to Norway to be an example to others.
“I think that by participating in this competition I will encourage hundreds of thousands of Chinese gays to stand up and
come out of the closet,” said Xiaodai Muyi, 26.
Phew, the world is back to normal. There was just no way that the Chinese government could have actually approved of this event. Raiding the venue and claiming that the event did not have a license sounds about right. Everyone, let’s have a round of applause for Xiaodai Muyi & Co. for their courage in doing this in secret! Let us also say a quick prayer that Xiaodai doesn’t mysteriously “disappear” after he returns to China.
Extra bonus points for the Swiss delegate. He looks pretty. Plus his name is just so right. Sorry that was inappropriate
- Tobias Dickenmann, everyone.
The person who did win the title of “2010 Mr. Gay” is the South African delegate, Charl van den Berg. He is also very very pretty. Here is his only blog entry.
- Here’s a delightful picture of him standing in front of a Canadian flag.
- And here he is with his “Mr. Gay” scarf standing in front of the Winter Olympic rings.
Finally, to prove that all of this is not just some imaginary madness, here’s a newspaper article on this wonderfully bizarre event.
- Oooh la la.
And no, my apparent interest in this pageant isn’t weird at all.
Personally I think it’s nice that these people are trying to raise awareness and stop homophobia. I’m just not sure that having a giant beauty pageant is the correct way to do it. But, well, at least the delegates are happy.
“I have been to the gym two hours every day, Monday to Saturday, working with the weights and building up the abs,” said Mr Gay Mexico, 34-year-old Jair Vega.
Hmm, this sounds like someone I know who’s also developed somewhat of an obsession with the gym. Or “Jim”, as we call it. Perhaps he would be interested in the pageant once he turns 19?
I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry please don’t hate me aforementioned friend
Good luck to delegates of 2011, and may the best man win! I am also eagerly anticipating “Mystery of the Chinese Delegate Part Two”. I really hope they manage to sneak another person in.
