Here he comes, Mr. Gay World!
The muscular 21-year-old from Germany, Klaus Burkart, is this year’s winner of the all-male competition held in South Africa.
The big win for Burkart comes before contenders from Australia, Cuba,
Iceland and even Zambia, where homosexuality is considered illegal.
Similar to high profile beauty pageants such as Miss Universe, Gay
World tested the fashion sense and athletic ability of this year’s 21
finalists. But there’s bigger issues afoot than just their looks — like
gay rights.
“I would like to lead the world to a point where it is not essential to
even have a coming out,” Burkart, who is hopeful of an accepting
future, writes in his profile.
Back home in Wangen in Allgau, the German winner is a milk technician,
helping newborns nurse. With his new title, he wants to tour schools and
be a role model for young gay men. He believes coming out to friends
and family should be a normal thing all over the world and not such a
feared disclosure of one’s identity.
Other finalists like Jesus Marquez in Spain have similar pursuits. He
wants more freedoms for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or
transgender in countries where it is a criminal offense.
Despite his country’s conservative Christian views, Siyathokoza
Khumalo, of Zambia, wants to change the sinful perception of
homosexuality. Filipino finalist, Nomer Yuzon, wants to teach acceptance
and Marcos Barboza, of Ireland, wants to help gay immigrants not feel
as isolated.
Ahead of Saturday’s crowning finale, the finalists bonded outside of the Knysna venue, taking advantage of the sunny weather.
The 6-year-old competition hasn’t had a American finalist since 2013.
No comments:
Post a Comment