Mr. Gay World goes to… South Africa!

International News, By Matt Akersten

After an intense week of photoshoots, pageants, and exciting indoor and outdoor competitions with fellow contestants from around the globe, a South African man has won the Mr. Gay World show for the second year in a row.

Francios Nel (pictured), 28, is a make-up artist from Centurion in northern South Africa. His win confirms that Johannesburg will host next April’s Mr. Gay Word 2012.

Nel receives a sterling silver trophy along with gifts of jewelry and clothing, plus a travel package worth an estimated AUS$25,000 to visit the five continents attending various Gay Pride events and human rights special events including the 2011 North American Outgames Human Rights Conference in Vancouver, Canada.

The annual Mr. Gay World contest, this year held in the Philippines, also featured contestants from Australia and New Zealand, while DNA magazine’s Sydney-based editor Andrew Creagh was on the judging panel.

Aussie guy Leigh Charles, 26, did well, coming in at fourth place in the field of 27 men. He also won the ‘Mr. Gay Swimwear’ and ‘Mr. Gay Formalwear’ pageant titles.

New Zealander Aaron Comis, 32, was close behind in fifth place, and also took out the ‘Mr. Gay Photogenic’ title.

The four-day event wasn’t only a chance to pose and show off – all the contestants spent a full day visiting one of Manila’s slum restoration projects, where supplies were donated to help revive a library and meeting/computer room. The contestants also brought books, games and toys for a poverty-stricken pre-school.

“The Mr. Gay World Competition is the 21st Century beauty contest where the delegates represent their nation as the best spokesperson and embody the spirit of their nation,” say its organisers.

“The delegate chosen to represent his peers on a global stage will not only have the inner beauty of confidence, self assurance, charisma and natural leadership abilities but he will also take care in his outward beauty.