Rick Twombley: Mr. Gay HK
In a surprise move, a white guy, Rick Twombley, was voted in as the first Mr. Gay HK. As a result, he has seen his fair share of internet backlash among the local gay community.
Now he’s back from having placed third in Mr. Gay World 2010, picking up the “Best National Costume” title along the way. He tells Johannes Pong to STFU.
To be honest, my first response to the organizer who asked me to enter Mr. Gay HK was, “Um, I’m not Asian.”
He said it didn’t matter. I met all the requirements—I have an HKID, I pay my taxes here. I’ve been in Hong Kong for five years. Two more years, permanent residency.
Just because other people don’t think Hong Kong should be my home doesn’t mean I don’t feel like it’s my home.
Maybe more local Chinese should take part next year and represent the city themselves, instead of criticizing me and asking why a gweilo is representing Hong Kong.
The funny thing is, not a single person at Mr. Gay World asked me why I was representing Hong Kong. The only question was, “Were you born there?”