Mister Congeniality
There’s more than one way to be a man, as the inaugural Mr. Gay Hong Kong 2009 pageant is here to prove. Johannes Pong checks out the competition.
On Saturday Nov 28, at 8:30pm, Lan Kwai Fong Bar will host an event where six gay men will vie for the first ever Mr. Gay Hong Kong title. Motivation? The winner gets a one-year modeling contract with Model Management, a cover shoot for gay mag Dim Sum, a year’s worth of free grooming from Paul Gerrard Salon, and an overnight at the EWOW (Presidential) Suite of the W. Oh, plus the lucky man gets to go on to represent Hong Kong at the Mr. Gay World pageant, held in February next year in Oslo, Norway.
This monumental occasion is brought to reality by MAN Asia Productions, the brainchild of Noel Furrer (LKF Group’s PR Manager) and James Gannaban (marketing manager of FINDS). Why are they doing this? “I’m too scared to be a contestant myself.” Gannaban replied frankly. “So I decided to be the producer.” Furrer gave more particulars: “It’s not a beauty pageant—it’s an inner beauty pageant. We’re trying to find someone who’s got the cool personality and confidence to face the world and represent Hong Kong’s gay community. It’s also meant to be fun—it’s not a demonstration!
Candidates will have to look hot in sportswear, swimwear and formal. But more than just man candy, the entrants are expected to be an articulate ambassador for Hong Kong’s gay community, answering the scrutinizing questions of the fair Board of Judges: top designer Barney Cheng, PR maverick Paul Hicks, mannequin czar Francis Lo, nightlife doyenne Colette Koo, and little old me, whom they have described on the press release as “irrepressible columnist Johannes Pong.” Bitch, please.
Speaking of bitches, the Grand Finale will also feature a glittering performance by La Chiquitta, our city’s first-ever drag recording artist, with her debut single “Tranny in the House.” And there’ll be a kickin’ afterparty with DJ Stonedog.
Here are the boys!
Billy Leung
Oct 18, Libra, 25 years old, 175cm
When he was just 20, Billy became the local poster boy for gay activism by mounting a legal challenge against Hong Kong’s anti-sodomy law, where the age of consent for gay men was 21–five years higher than for heterosexual sex. Thank God he won and it was lowered to the age of 16. Leading gay magazine Advocate even heralded him as “Hong Kong’s Young Crusader.” Despite the celebrity, it’s refreshing to know that our Billy (who works as a campaigner for Amnesty International) has remained a fun-loving guy who loves to go to the movies, hang out with friends and enjoy the sunshine.