Eight diverse finalists will battle it out for the top spot of Mr Gay New Zealand at the 2016 LYC Big Gay Out this Sunday at Coyle Park in Point Chevalier.
This Valentines Day festival will stage an array of beautiful boys from a range of cultural, social and professional backgrounds. With four contestants born in other countries, and six who grew up in rural towns where they faced blatant homophobia, the Mr Gay New Zealand competition promotes diversity and celebrates the sundry beauty of our GLBT community.
Matt Fistonich, Mr Gay NZ 2015 and now producer of the contest comments that “not only are we seeing a record number of applicants, we are also seeing a large number of people apply from outside the Auckland region, including applicants from Wellington, Palmerston North, and Napier.”
Fistonich was keen to re-shape the focus of the competition, shifting the focus from a beauty contest to a celebration of diversity and inclusion in New Zealand’s rainbow community. He also sees the competition as a stepping stone to even more involvement in the community.
“I believe the Mr. Gay New Zealand competition is a great opportunity for people to get involved in and support the LGBTI community in New Zealand and around the world.”
The Judges for this year’s competition are Tamati Coffey, Central Auckland MP Nikki Kaye, Cabaret performer and human rights activist Medulla Oblongata, and the current Mr. Gay New Zealand Matt Fistonich.
The winner of this year’s competition will take off to Malta in April for the Mr Gay World final.
Mr Gay New Zealand 2016 is sponsored and supported by LYC and the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, The Tanning Room, Les Mills, and eikonline.com.
Feature Image | Daily Xtra Online
