Mr. Gay International
{{Short description|Gay male beauty contest}}
{{Infobox organization
|name = Mister Gay International
|image =
|image_border =
|size = 150px
|caption =
|map =
|msize =
|mcaption =
|formation = 2005
|type = Beauty Pageant
|headquarters = Canada
|location =
|membership = 40+
|language = English
|leader_title = President
|leader_name = Don Spradlin (President and Director Oceania)
|key_people =
|num_staff =
|budget =
}}
File:Pablo Salvador from Chile International Mr. Gay 2011 - 2012.JPG
Mr. Gay International was the first international contest to select an Ambassador or spokesman to support the mission of the sponsoring nonprofit corporation, the Noble Beast Foundation. President of the Noble Beast Foundation is Don Spradlin, who founded and produced the first three Competitions with a team of dedicated volunteers. Carlos Melia, native from Argentina was the third International Mr Gay titleholder, elected and crowned in Los Angeles, California in 2008. The last International Mr. Gay titleholder was Pablo Salvador Sepúlveda from Chile. The competition has been de facto replaced by Mr Gay World.
Mission statement
"(To) advocate International Equal Rights by confirming the essential nature and contributions of gay men to a healthy society where "gay" is not a stereotype"{{cite web |title=Pageant Aims to Blast Stereotypes |url=http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_D_dspot18.35f7a86.html |date= |publisher= |accessdate=20 August 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
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 Zoltan Parag from India,[https://archive.today/20130125075952/http://www.hindustantimes.com/I-m-scared-to-return-to-India/Article1-273159.aspx Hindustan Times]
Taurai Zhanje from Zimbabwe, Robel Hailu from Ethiopia, former Olympian Chavdar Arsov from Bulgaria, Wendelinus Hamutenya from Namibia and Xiao Dai from China.{{cite web |url= http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/2012/04/10/mr-gay-world-shakes-african-perceptions |title=Mr Gay World shakes African perceptions |work=timeslive.co.za |year=2012 |quote=Xiao Dai |accessdate=28 April 2012}}{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/mr-gay-world-contest-goes-ahead-in-johannesburg-despite-threats-7627646.html |title=Mr Gay World contest goes ahead in Johannesburg despite threats |work=The Independent |publisher=INM |location=London |issn=0951-9467 |oclc=185201487 |accessdate=28 April 2012 |date=9 April 2012}}
Titleholders
=List of Mr Gay International titleholders=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Country/Territory ! Mr. Gay International ! National title ! Location ! Ref |
|---|
| 2011- 2012
| {{CHI}} | online competition | |
| 2009-2010
| {{SWI}} | Mr. Gay Switzerland International | online competition | |
| 2008
| {{ARG}} | Los Angeles, California | |
| 2006-2007
| {{ISR}} | Palm Springs, California | |
| 2005
| {{US}} | San Francisco, California |
Mr Gay International competition
The third edition of International Mr Gay International took place in Los Angeles, California. Carlos Melia was crowned as IMG 2008, representing his country of origin as Mr Gay Argentina.[http://www.edgeptown.com/news////55418/international_mr_gay_picks_winner 'International Mr. Gay Picks Winner"], "Edge", January 26, 2008 As the title holder, Carlos worked as an ambassador and spokesperson for equal and human rights, fundraising and endorsing LGBT organizations and events worldwide.[http://www.mrgaypride.es/noticias_carlos_melia.html "Carlos Meliá Mr. Gay International 2008"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130711084256/http://mrgaypride.es/noticias_carlos_melia.html |date=2013-07-11 }}, "Mr Gay Pride España" 2008 In 2009, Melia joined the board of directors of Mr Gay World, and appointed executive director of Central and South America and the Caribbean.[http://mrgayworld.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25:mr-gay-international-2008-works-for-mgw&catid=4:updates&Itemid=108 "Mr Gay International 2008 works for MGW"], Mr Gay World website[http://mrgayworld.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115:big-in-south-america&catid=4:updates&Itemid=108 "Big in South America"], Mr Gay World website, January 11, 2010
The next U.S. finale was held in San Francisco's Museum of Performance and Design in November 2008 when Michael Jarvis was named the U.S. delegate to the IMG. The International Competition was assigned to the Philippines producers for May 2009 in preparation for the first time the IMG Competition would be produced outside of the United States.
The international competition was scheduled for Manila in the Philippines for the summer of 2009, but it encountered production issues that resulted in the competition returning to California.{{cite web |title=INTERNATIONAL MR. GAY COMPETITION MOVES TO MANILA |url=http://www.mrgaycompetition.com/press.htm |date= |publisher= |accessdate=20 August 2009}}
The 2009 - 2010 Mr. Gay International titleholder was Switzerland's Ricco Müller. Rounding up the top five were Australia as first runner-up, USA as second runner-up, Philippines as third runner-up, and Puerto Rico as fourth runner-up. As International Mr. Gay, Müller supports AIDS-related campaigns and deaf communities.
In January 2011, Pablo Salvador Sepúlveda, activist and history teacher, competed in the International Mr Gay Competition and won the title. As International Mr. Gay, he works for the LGBTIQ+ community and supports the first Chilean campaign against bullying at schools. He has appeared on radio and television stations in Chile as an activist and spokesman.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:International Mister Gay Competition}}
Category:Recurring events established in 2005
Category:Transgender beauty pageants