I’ve met some gay guys who like to be called Mister, and I’ve met gay guys from South Africa and other parts of the world, but I have never met Mr. Gay World. I still haven’t. But Mr. Gay South Africa just took that title. Francois Nel, a white writer and markeup artist who works with HIV, won the prize (which comes with $25,000 in travel) from 23 other contestant earlier this week in Manila, The Philippines. This is the third time the title has been bestowed.
I don’t wanna sound like I’m calling sour grapes, but the press release says he is now the “ambassador for gay men in the world.” Not sure a white South African even represents other gay men in his own country, but OK. But ambassador? Does he get to speak on my behalf? What does the spokesman for all things gay get to speak about? Marriage equality? Best circuit parties? Safe sex? I don’t think we, as a community, can have one ambassador — we’re too diverse. What is official gay policy? Beats me.
Of course, if someone wants to appoint me the ambassador for the world, I’ll take it. I mean, I don’t necessarily trust this guy… but I’d get it right… right?
4 Comments
Wow. This article is bulging with negativity and playing with racial/continental stereotypes. Maybe other gay men don’t like this writer being such an egomaniac, since that’s another stereotype gay men have to live with.
I second that. wow. The Author is this is clueless.
If you visit South Africa, you will find a large caucasian population. If Miss America happens to be a Latina and wins Miss Universe, should she not be allowed to represent the rest of the world because she is not white or black or look like 99.9% of the rest of the population? If someone is a good representative for a group of people in one country or the world over, I say good for them! I am my own person and I do not feel anyone specifially represents me, however I am open to the idea of an attractive advocate. LOL
I’m trying to figure out the meaning of ” markeup artist who works with HIV “.