Mr Gay World

The event explicitly seeks to highlight discrimination against LGBTQ+ 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] Contestants in Mr. Gay Syria were only able to compete after leaving the country and sought refugee status in Canada.^[7]

Mr Gay World seeks to establish ambassadors for LGBTQ+ and human rights, with winners of national contests competing as delegates in a variety of categories. In 2021, the pageant amended its policy to encompass the male-identifying spectrum within the LGBTQ+ community.^[8]

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.^[9]

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.^[9]

In 2018, Mr Gay World announced that the 2019 competition will move to South Africa from Hong Kong due to prohibition from local authorities.^[10]

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,^[11][12] and then Mr. Gay World Philippines 2021 Joel Rey Carcasona took over the title Mr. Gay World 2021.

• International Mr Gay Competition
• International Mr. Leather