Mr Gay World

Mr Gay World
TypeBeauty pageant
First edition2009
Most recent edition2025
Current titleholderJulio Spatola
Italy
Founder
  • Eric Butter
Owner
Wayne Renzo
LanguageEnglish
Websitehttp://www.mrgayworld.com/

Mr. Gay World is a registered, trademarked annual international competition for gay men, established in 2009.

History

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.

On September 4, 2024, Eric Butter officially announced that Mr. Wayne Renzo from the Philippines has acquired the Mr. Gay World Organization.[1] With this historic transition, Wayne Renzo is now the new owner, ushering in a new chapter for the globally celebrated brand.[2]

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,[3][4] Taurai Zhanje from Zimbabwe, Robel Hailu from Ethiopia, former Olympian Chavdar Arsov from Bulgaria, Wendelinus Hamutenya from Namibia and Xiao Dai from China.[5][6]

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*. [7]

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.[8]

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.[8]

In 2018, Mr Gay World announced that the 2019 competition will move to South Africa from Hong Kong due to prohibition from local authorities.[9]

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,[10][11] and then Mr. Gay World Philippines 2021 Joel Rey Carcasona took over the title Mr. Gay World 2021.

Titleholders

Edition Year Date Mr Gay World Runner-up Location Entrants Ref.
First Second Third Fourth Fifth
1 2009 February 13, 2009 Max Krzyzanowski
 Ireland 		Alexis Cespedes
Paraguay 		Pico Velasco Michel
Mexico 		Ben Edwards
Australia 		Reece Karena
New Zealand 		Darren Bruce
Canada 		Whistler, Canada 19 [12]
2 2010 February 13, 2010 Charl van den Berg
 South Africa 		Samuel Adu
Australia 		Rick Dean Twombley
Hong Kong 		Xindai Muyi
China 		Sergio Lara
Spain 		Not awarded Oslo, Norway 23 [13]
3 2011 March 13, 2011 Francois Nel
 South Africa 		Michael Kevin Holtz
United States 		Israel Acevedo
Spain 		Leigh Charles
Australia 		Aaron Comis
New Zealand 		Not awarded Mandaluyong, Philippines 23 [14][15]
4 2012 April 8, 2012 Andreas Derleth
 New Zealand 		Lance Weyer
South Africa 		Remy Frejaville
France 		Kevin Scott Power
United States 		Thom Goderie
Netherlands 		Not awarded Johannesburg, South Africa 22 [16][17]
[18]
5 2013 August 5, 2013 Christopher Michael Olwage
 New Zealand 		Benjie Vasquez Caraig
Hong Kong 		Matthew Simmons
United States 		Not awarded Antwerp, Belgium 25 [19]
6 2014 August 31, 2014 Stuart Hatton Jr
United Kingdom 		Kiriakos Spanos
Cyprus 		Robbie Lawlor
Ireland 		Luis Vento
Venezuela 		Bridge Hudson
Hong Kong 		Not awarded Rome, Italy 23 [20][21]
7 2015 May 3, 2015 Klaus Burkart
 Germany
(Resigned) 		Mass Luciano
Hong Kong
(Assumed) 		Tomi Lappi
Finland 		Not awarded Cape Town, South Africa 21 [22][23]
8 2016 April 23, 2016 Roger Gosalbez
 Spain 		Chris Krauel
Austria 		Christian Lacsamana
Philippines 		Kyle Patrick
Sint Maarten 		Rafael Fagundes
Brazil 		Not awarded Valletta, Malta 24 [24][25]
9 2017 May 10, 2017 John Raspado
 Philippines 		Cándido Arteaga
Spain 		Raf Van Puymbroeck
Belgium 		Marco Tornese
 Switzerland 		Alexander Steyn
South Africa 		Not awarded Maspalomas, Spain 21 [26][27]
10 2018 May 26, 2018 Jordan Paul Bruno
 Australia 		Ricky Devine-White
New Zealand 		Samarpan Maiti
India 		Po-Hung Chen
Taiwan 		João de Oliveira
Portugal 		Not awarded Knysna, South Africa 21 [28][29]
11 2019 May 4, 2019 Janjep Carlos
 Philippines
(Completed) 		Fran Alvarado
Spain
(Assumed) 		Oliver Pusztai
Hungary 		Chayodhom Samibat
Thailand 		Nick Van Vooren
Belgium 		Not awarded Cape Town, South Africa 22 [30][31]
[32]
12 2020 May 3, 2020 Kodie Macayan
 Philippines 		Marek Piekarczyk
Poland 		Vicente Miron
Mexico 		Not awarded Virtual contest
(Cape Town, South Africa) 		9 [33][34]
13 2021 October 30, 2021 Louw Breytenbach
 South Africa
(Resigned) 		Joel Carcasona
Philippines
(Assumed) 		Joshuan Aponte
Puerto Rico 		Not awarded 10 [35][36]
[37][38]
14 2022 October 16, 2022 José López Duvónt
 Puerto Rico 		Tony Ardolino
United States 		Max Appenroth
Germany 		Not awarded Cape Town, South Africa 8 [39][40]
[41]
15 2023 October 27, 2023 Troy Michael Smith
Guam 		David Allwood
Great Britain 		Dion Alexander
Australia 		Not awarded 11 [42][43]
16 2024 August 26, 2024 Paul Carruthers
Great Britain 		John Bench Ortiz
Philippines 		Poosit Changkaewmanee
Thailand 		Not awarded Northumberland, United Kingdom 11 [44][45]
Edition Year Date Mr Gay World Mr Gay World Intercontinental Mr Gay World Tourism Runner-up Location Entrants Ref.
First Second
17 2025 December 1, 2025 Giulio Spatola
Italy 		Tim Kusters
Netherlands 		Gert Claassen-Smit
South Africa 		Paul Dennison
Great Britain 		Daisuke Kawarada
Japan 		Quezon City, Philippines 12 [46]

Country/territory by number of wins

The 2020 finale was held alongside the 2021 finale, creating an Epic Finale in which two winners were crowned.

Country/Territory Titles Year
Philippines 4 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021[a]
South Africa 3 2010, 2011, 2021[b]
Spain 2 2016, 2019[c]
New Zealand 2012, 2013
Italy 1 2025
Great Britain 2024
Guam 2023
Puerto Rico 2022
Australia 2018
Germany 2015[b]
Hong Kong 2015[a]
United Kingdom 2014
Ireland 2009
  1. ^ a b Originally crowned 1st Runner-Up. Took over the title after the original winner resigned.
  2. ^ a b Resigned
  3. ^ Originally crowned 1st Runner-Up. Took over the title after the original winner completed his reign.

See also

References

  1. ^ "MGB-organisator Bram Bierkens: "Geen intentie om aan Mister Gay Universe mee te doen"".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. ^ "MR GAY WORLD 2025: A NEW ERA UNDER FILIPINO LEADERSHIP". Archived from the original on August 27, 2025.
  3. ^ "Could India get its own gay pageant? | Vogue India | Culture & Living | Culture". Vogue.in. August 14, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
  4. ^ Dhruba Jyoti Purkait (July 18, 2013). "I'd rather be a freak than a stereotype: Mr. Gay India 2013". hindustan Times. Archived from the original on September 22, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  5. ^ "Mr Gay World shakes African perceptions". timeslive.co.za. 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2012. Xiao Dai,
  6. ^ "Mr Gay World contest goes ahead in Johannesburg despite threats". The Independent. London: INM. April 9, 2012. ISSN 0951-9467. OCLC 185201487. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  7. ^ "Mr Gay World opens contest to all men". June 15, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Bell, Niko (June 29, 2016). "Threats, lies and a gay beauty pageant Mr Gay World contestants accuse organizers of bullying, bias and incompetence". xtramagazine.com. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  9. ^ Chan, Holmes (August 20, 2018). "Mr Gay World cancels Hong Kong event citing concerns over LGBTQ crackdown in mainland". Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  10. ^ Tracer, Dan (August 16, 2022). "Mr. Gay World slaps former winner with gag order and it all sounds messy AF". Queerty. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  11. ^ Igual, Roberto (March 24, 2022). "Bongs Ndima angrily resigns as Mr Gay World South Africa". MambaOnline - Gay South Africa online. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  12. ^ "Irishman wins Mr. Gay World title".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  13. ^ "Mr. Gay Sa Wins World Title in Oslo". Mamba Online. February 2010. Archived from the original on November 23, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  14. ^ "OMG! South Africa's Francois Nel is Mr. Gay World 2011!". Archived from the original on November 23, 2024.
  15. ^ "South Africa Claims Mr. Gay World Title For 2nd Straight Year: Francois Nel Wins".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  16. ^ "Thí sinh Đức đoạt danh hiệu "Mr Gay World 2012"". Archived from the original on November 23, 2024.
  17. ^ "New Zealander declared Mr Gay World". Archived from the original on November 23, 2024.
  18. ^ "ANDY DERLETH: MR. GAY WORLD 2012". Archived from the original on November 23, 2024.
  19. ^ "THE MAMBA INTERVIEW: CHRIS OLWAGE". Archived from the original on November 24, 2024.
  20. ^ Towner, Myriah (November 29, 2014). "South Shields dance teacher Stuart Hatton crowned Mr Gay World". ChronicleLive. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  21. ^ Nichols, James (September 2, 2014). "Stuart Hatton, Mr. Gay U.K. 2014, Crowned Mr. Gay World 2014". HuffPost. Archived from the original on November 24, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  22. ^ Wee, Darren (November 18, 2015). "Mr Gay World steps down due to 'personal changes'". Gay Star News. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  23. ^ Salandra, Adam (November 22, 2015). "Mr. Gay Hong Kong Emmanuel Mass Luciano Crowned Mr. Gay World". LOGO News. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  24. ^ Richens, Tony (April 23, 2016). "Mr Gay World 2016 Winner - Roger Gosalbez from Spain". Gay Nation. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  25. ^ "Spanjaard Roger Gosalbez Pitaluga wint Mister Gay World 2016". winq.nl (in Dutch). April 24, 2016. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  26. ^ "PH bet John Raspado wins Mr Gay World 2017". Rappler. May 11, 2017. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  27. ^ Villareal, Daniel (May 26, 2018). "John Fernandez Raspado Reflects on His Year Spent as Mr. Gay World 2017". Hornet. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  28. ^ Schuessler, Bobby (May 29, 2018). "Meet the Hot Aussie Who Just Won Mr Gay World 2018". Out. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  29. ^ Jones, Jesse (May 28, 2018). "Jordan Bruno becomes the first Australian to win Mr Gay World". Star Observer. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  30. ^ Lotto Persio, Sofia (May 5, 2019). "Filipino businessman Janjep Carlos crowned Mr Gay World". PinkNews. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  31. ^ "Philippine bet Janjep Carlos wins Mr. Gay World 2019". GMA Entertainment. May 6, 2019. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  32. ^ "In an extraordinary move, the 2020 finale will be held alongside the 2021 finale, creating an "Epic Finale" where two winners will be crowned". Instagram. May 10, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  33. ^ Requintina, Robert (October 17, 2021). "PH bet crowned Mister Gay World 2020". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  34. ^ "The Philippines' Kodie Macayan wins Mr. Gay World 2021". ABS-CBN News. October 17, 2021. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  35. ^ Ermac, Raffy (November 8, 2021). "Meet the South African Hunk Who Won Mr. Gay World 2021". Out. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  36. ^ Rogers, Destiny (November 6, 2021). "31-yr-old South African Louw Breytenbach Mr Gay World 2021". QNews. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  37. ^ de Wee, Naledi (December 30, 2021). "Joel Rey Carcasona replaces Louw Breytenbach as Mr Gay World 2021". The South African. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  38. ^ Cooper, Alex (December 21, 2021). "Mr. Gay World 2021 Resigns After Contract Dispute". Advocate. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  39. ^ "Mr. Gay World 2022 Has Been Announced". Archived from the original on November 26, 2024.
  40. ^ "First-ever Latinx winner announced as Mr Gay World 2022". Archived from the original on November 26, 2024.
  41. ^ "José López Duvont Is Mr Gay World 2022". Archived from the original on November 26, 2024.
  42. ^ "Troy Michael Smith Crowned Mr Gay World 2023, Australia's Dion Alexander Is Second Runnerup". Archived from the original on November 26, 2024.
  43. ^ "Guam's Troy Michael Smith crowned Mr Gay World 2023". Archived from the original on December 17, 2023.
  44. ^ "UK Nurse Clinches Mr Gay World 2024 Crown: A Win For Trans Rights". Archived from the original on September 6, 2024.
  45. ^ "Great Britain Takes Mr Gay World 2024 Title". Archived from the original on September 6, 2024.
  46. ^ "Tim Küsters uitgeroepen tot Mr. Gay World Intercontinental 2025 in Manila". Archived from the original on December 3, 2025.
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