Mr Gay World Explained

Mr Gay World
Formation:2009
Type:Beauty pageant / Mental Health and Human Rights Conference
Headquarters:South Africa (Current) Gay World Events (PTY) Ltd / Mr Gay World® Trust
Location:Worldwide
Membership:18+
Language:English
Leader Title:CEO
Leader Name:John-Louis O'Neil
Key People:Johann van Niekerk; John–Louis O'Neil and Jacques du Toit

Mr Gay World is a registered and trademarked annual international competition for gay men.

The 2023 Mr Gay World Competition was held in Cape Town, South Africa on October 27, 2023. The reigning Mr Gay World is Troy Michael Smith who represented Guam.

Beginnings

Before there was Mr Gay World, there was IMG Mr Gay International. Brian Merriman (owner of Mr Gay Ireland) and Tore Aasheim (co-owner of Mr Gay Europe) attended the competition with the European delegation. Merriman and Aasheim decided to create their own international competition.

Brian Merriman invited Tore Aasheim, Morten Ruda (owner of Mr Gay Norway and co-owner of Mr Gay Europe) and Dean Nelson (owner of Mr Gay Canada) to Dublin, Ireland to plan a brand new international competition. They invited Eric Butter (who is the current President and co-founder of Mr Gay World and Noemi Alberto (owner of Mr Gay Philippines) to what was to become Mr Gay World.

Merriman and Ruda bowed out due to other commitments, and the ownership was divided equally between Aasheim, Nelson and Butter. Both Merriman and Ruda stayed involved in the competition as Directors responsible for finding delegates in Europe and Africa to attend the competitions.

After a while Nelson left the competition and left his shares of Mr Gay World to Eric Butter, and later Eric Butter and Tore Aasheim exchanged their shares in Mr Gay Europe and Mr Gay World respectively, making Eric Butter the President and co-founder of Mr Gay World and Tore Aasheim the sole owner of Mr Gay Europe.

Media coverage

The event explicitly seeks to highlight discrimination against LGBTI people and provide select positive role models. A number of contestants from a number of countries has faced sanctions for their selection or competition, including Nolan Lewis from India,[1] [2] Taurai Zhanje from Zimbabwe, Robel Hailu from Ethiopia, former Olympian Chavdar Arsov from Bulgaria, Wendelinus Hamutenya from Namibia and Xiao Dai from China.[3] [4]

Mr Gay World is defined as an annual contest for gay men, seeking to establish ambassadors for LGBTQIA+ and human rights, with winners of national contests competing as delegates in a variety of categories. Mr Gay World not a beauty contest and there is no age limit. In an all-inclusive move, Mr Gay World has amended its policy to encompass the male-identifying spectrum within the LGBTQ+ community,” said the organisation in a statement on Tuesday, June 15, 2021*. [5]

Controversy

In 2014, Mr Gay New Zealand, Mr Gay Australia and a sponsoring skincare company all pulled out of the competition claiming 'bullying, poor living conditions, and inappropriate pressure to hook up with other contestants'. Mr Gay World replied claiming that the two contestants had been removed for alcohol abuse and rule breaking.[6]

In 2015, the winner of the competition, Mr Gay Germany Klaus Burkart, stepped down seven months later citing “personal changes,” and was replaced by Mr Gay Hong Kong.[6]

In 2018, Mr Gay World announced that the 2019 competition will move to South Africa from Hong Kong due to prohibition from local authorities.[7]

In November 2021, Mr. Gay World South Africa 2021 Louw Breytenbach resigned; the title was given to South African Runner-up Bonginkosi Ndima, who then resigned in March 2022,[8] [9] and then Mr. Gay World Philippines 2021 Joel Rey Carcasona took over the title Mr. Gay World 2021.

Titleholders

YearCountry/TerritoryMr Gay WorldLocationEntrantsRef.
2023 GuamTroy Michael SmithCape Town, South Africa11
2022José López Duvont8
2021Louw Breytenbach (Resigned)South Africa Virtual contest10[10] [11]
Joel Rey Carcasona (Assumed)[12] [13]
2020Leonard Kodie Macayan 9[14] [15]
2019John Jeffrey Carlos (Completed)Cape Town, South Africa24[16] [17]
Francisco Alvarado (Assumed)[18]
2018Jordan Paul BrunoKnysna, South Africa21[19] [20]
2017John RaspadoMadrid & Maspalomas, Spain21[21] [22]
2016Roger GosalbezSt. Julian's, Malta24[23] [24]
2015Klaus Burkart (Resigned)Knysna, South Africa21[25] [26]
Hong KongMass Luciano (Assumed)
2014 United KingdomStuart HattonRome, Italy32[27] [28]
2013Christopher Michael OlwageAntwerp, Belgium25
2012Andreas DerlethJohannesburg, South Africa22
2011Francois NelManila, Philippines23
2010Charl Van Den BergOslo, Norway23[29]
2009Max KrzyzanowskiWhistler, Canada19

Country/territory by number of wins

Country/TerritoryTitlesYear
Philippines42017, 2019, 2020, 2021
South Africa32010, 2011, 2021
Spain22016, 2019
New Zealand2012, 2013
Guam12023
Australia2018
Germany2015
Hong Kong2015
Puerto Rico2022
United Kingdom2014
Ireland2009

Runner-up

Year1st Runner-Up2nd Runner-Up3rd Runner-Up4th Runner-Up5th Runner-Up
2023David Allwood
United Kingdom
Dion Alexander
Australia
rowspan="7"
2022Tony Ardolino
United States
Max Appenroth
Germany
2021Joel Rey Carcasona (Former)
Philippines
Joshuan Aponte
Puerto Rico
2020Marek Piekarczyk
Poland
Vicente Miron
Mexico
2019Francisco Alvarado
Spain
Oliver Pusztai
Hungary
Cjayudhom Samiat
Thailand
Nick Van Vooren
Belgium
2018Ricky Devine-White
New Zealand
Samarpan Maiti
India
Chen Po-Hung
João Pedro Carvalho Gonçalves de Oliveira
Portugal
2017Cándido Arteaga
Spain
Raf Van Puymbroeck
Belgium
Marco Tornese
Switzerland
Alexander Steyn
South Africa
2016Chris Krauel
Austria
Christian Reyes Lacsamana
Philippines
Kyle Patrick
Rafael Fagundes
Brazil
2015Mass Luciano (Assumed)
Hong Kong
Tomi Lappi
Finland
rowspan="6"
2014Kiriakos Spanos
Cyprus
Robbie Lawlor
Ireland
Luis Vento
Bridge Hudson
Hong Kong
2013Benjie Vasquez Caraig
Hong Kong
Matthew Simmons
United States
2012Lance Weyer
South Africa
Remy Frejaville
France
Kevin Scott Power
United States
Thom Goderie
Netherlands
2011Michael Kevin Holtz
United States
Israel Acevedo
Spain
Leigh Charles
Australia
Aaron Comis
New Zealand
2010Byron Adu
Australia
Rick Dean Twombley
Hong Kong
Xindai Muyi
China
Sergio Lara
Spain
2009Alexis Cespedes
Paraguay
Pico Velasco Michel
Mexico
Ben Edwards
Australia
Reece Karena
New Zealand
Darren Bruce
Canada

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Could India get its own gay pageant? | Vogue India | Culture & Living | Culture . Vogue.in . 2013-08-14 . 2017-03-20.
  2. Web site: I'd rather be a freak than a stereotype: Mr. Gay India 2013 . dhruba Jyoti Purkait . July 18, 2013 . hindustan Times . July 16, 2021 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130922204440/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Tabloid/I-d-rather-be-a-freak-than-a-stereotype-Mr-Gay-India-2013/Article1-1094360.aspx . September 22, 2013.
  3. Web site: Mr Gay World shakes African perceptions . timeslive.co.za . 2012 . Xiao Dai, . 28 April 2012.
  4. News: Mr Gay World contest goes ahead in Johannesburg despite threats . . . . 0951-9467 . 185201487 . 28 April 2012 . 9 April 2012.
  5. Web site: Mr Gay World opens contest to all men . June 15, 2021 .
  6. News: Bell . Niko . Threats, lies and a gay beauty pageant Mr Gay World contestants accuse organizers of bullying, bias and incompetence . 16 August 2022 . xtramagazine.com . 29 June 2016.
  7. News: Chan . Holmes . Mr Gay World cancels Hong Kong event citing concerns over LGBTQ crackdown in mainland . 16 August 2022 . 20 August 2018.
  8. News: Tracer . Dan . Mr. Gay World slaps former winner with gag order and it all sounds messy AF . 16 August 2022 . Queerty . 16 August 2022.
  9. News: Igual . Roberto . Bongs Ndima angrily resigns as Mr Gay World South Africa . 16 August 2022 . MambaOnline - Gay South Africa online . 24 March 2022.
  10. Web site: Ermac. Raffy. 2021-11-08. Meet the South African Hunk Who Won Mr. Gay World 2021. 2021-12-31. Out. en.
  11. Web site: Rogers. Destiny. 2021-11-06. 31-yr-old South African Louw Breytenbach Mr Gay World 2021. 2021-12-31. QNews. en-us.
  12. Web site: de Wee. Naledi. 2021-12-30. Joel Rey Carcasona replaces Louw Breytenbach as Mr Gay World 2021. 2021-12-31. The South African. en-ZA.
  13. Web site: Cooper. Alex. 2021-12-21. Mr. Gay World 2021 Resigns After Contract Dispute. 2021-12-31. Advocate. en.
  14. Web site: Requintina. Robert. 2021-10-17. PH bet crowned Mister Gay World 2020. 2021-10-17. Manila Bulletin. en-US.
  15. Web site: 2021-10-17. The Philippines' Kodie Macayan wins Mr. Gay World 2021. 2021-10-17. ABS-CBN News. en.
  16. Web site: Lotto Persio. Sofia. 2019-05-05. Filipino businessman Janjep Carlos crowned Mr Gay World. 2021-10-17. PinkNews. en-GB.
  17. Web site: 2019-05-06. Philippine bet Janjep Carlos wins Mr. Gay World 2019. 2021-10-17. GMA Entertainment.
  18. Web site: 2020-05-10. In an extraordinary move, the 2020 finale will be held alongside the 2021 finale, creating an "Epic Finale" where two winners will be crowned.. 2022-09-12. Instagram.
  19. Web site: Schuessler. Bobby. 2018-05-29. Meet the Hot Aussie Who Just Won Mr Gay World 2018. 2021-10-17. Out. en.
  20. Web site: Jones. Jesse. 2018-05-28. Jordan Bruno becomes the first Australian to win Mr Gay World. 2021-10-17. Star Observer. en-US.
  21. Web site: 2017-05-11. PH bet John Raspado wins Mr Gay World 2017. 2021-10-17. Rappler. en.
  22. Web site: Villareal. Daniel. 2018-05-26. John Fernandez Raspado Reflects on His Year Spent as Mr. Gay World 2017. 2021-10-17. Hornet. en.
  23. Web site: Richens. Tony. 2016-04-23. Mr Gay World 2016 Winner - Roger Gosalbez from Spain. 2021-10-17. Gay Nation. en-AU.
  24. Web site: 2016-04-24. Spanjaard Roger Gosalbez Pitaluga wint Mister Gay World 2016. 2021-10-17. winq.nl. nl. October 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211017134003/https://winq.nl/articles/224895/spanjaard-roger-gosalbez-pitaluga-wint-mister-gay-world-2016/. dead.
  25. Web site: Wee. Darren. 2015-11-18. Mr Gay World steps down due to 'personal changes'. 2021-10-17. Gay Star News. en-GB. October 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211017133551/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/mr-gay-world-steps-down-due-to-personal-changes/. dead.
  26. Web site: Salandra. Adam. 2015-11-22. Mr. Gay Hong Kong Emmanuel Mass Luciano Crowned Mr. Gay World. 2021-10-17. LOGO News.
  27. Web site: Towner. Myriah. 2014-11-29. South Shields dance teacher Stuart Hatton crowned Mr Gay World. 2021-10-17. ChronicleLive. en.
  28. Web site: Nichols. James. 2014-09-02. Stuart Hatton, Mr. Gay U.K. 2014, Crowned Mr. Gay World 2014. 2021-10-17. HuffPost. en.
  29. Web site: MR. GAY SA WINS WORLD TITLE IN OSLO. Mamba Online. February 2010. 29 December 2022.