Mr. Gay World changes policies to include trans and male identifying competitors
Mr. Gay World is taking steps in the right direction!
According to Out Magazine, the Mr. Gay World pageant is making huge strides when it comes to transgender inclusivity, and we love to see it!
In a recent press release that was posted on their official website, the Mr. Gay World organization announced that they are changing their current policies so that anyone who identifies as a man can compete in their international competitions, which are licensed in numerous countries around the globe. This move comes after the transphobic controversy that happened when a trans man, Chiyo Gomes, was allowed to compete in the Mr. Gay England contest in 2020, as Gay Times pointed out recently.
“In an all-inclusive move, Mr. Gay World has amended its policy to encompass the male-identifying spectrum within the LGBTQ+ community, the release reads. This policy will be passed globally to all licence holders and strict measures will be put in place to ensure compliance. Mr. Gay World is a pageant and awareness-promoting competition for the upliftment and empowerment of gay men as a minority group. The competition is open to anyone who identifies as male, using him and his pronouns and who collectively identifies as male.”
The release continues: “The title winner would be crowned as Mr. Gay World and it is for this reason that all entrants should identify in this way. Mr. Gay World is passionate about the empowerment and upliftment of all members of the LGBTQ+ community and regularly contributes to fundraising events and awareness activities for causes within this vast and diverse community, but its primary focus is that of the gay and male-identifying demographic of society as a community that has been globally recognized as a vulnerable minority with specific needs and requirements to promote self-confidence, solidarity, and a sense of community.”
We think this is definitely a step in the right direction, and hopefully other contests follow suit!
The first judge for the competition has been announced as Fran Alvarado from Spain, 2019’s current Mr. Gay World. Mr. Gay World 2020 will take place online from October 9-October 16, and Mr. Gay World 2021 will start on October 23 and run through October 30.
