NEW YORK—Who will win the title Mr. International Escort of 2010? Fans will find out March 19 during the fourth annual International Escort Awards presentation in New York City.
More familiarly known as “The Hookies,” the gay escort awards are bestowed upon fan favorites in 14 categories. Voting in 13 of the categories has been in progress online since December. The 14th category, Mr. International Escort, is chosen through a series of pageants in London, Paris, New York, Florida, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. Finalists in all the online categories and winners of the regional pageants will converge on New York for the final competition and presentation ceremony.
The online decision process is in its final stages. Five nominees soon will be chosen to represent each category: Best Newcomer, Best Pornstar Escort, Best Top, Best Ass, Best Fetish Escort, Best Tattoos, Best Body, Biggest Cock, Best Duo, Best Boyfriend Fantasy, Best Mature Escort 40+, Best Escort Blogger/Writer and Best Escort Agency. Voting will continue through February.
Mr. Los Angeles was determined during a Jan. 20 pageant in West Hollywood, Calif. The Mr. Florida event is scheduled to take place Jan. 30 in Fort Lauderdale. Mr. London and Mr. New York will be selected Feb. 12, Mr. Paris on Feb. 15, and Mr. San Francisco and Mr. Chicago on Feb. 20. Details about all the live events and the online nominations process are available at TheHookies.com.
The International Escort Awards are presented by Rentboy.com. In the past, winners have included Nick Capra, Erik Rhodes, Rafael Alencar, Diesel Washington, Barrett Long, Arpad Miklos and Ben Andrews. According to a RentBoy spokesman, the awards are the company’s way of “recognizing, applauding and showing respect to the thousands of escorts and masseurs who put their effort, courage and skill into the underappreciated escort industry every day.
“Escorts and bodyworkers are frequently stigmatized in the press, yet these courageous and skilled men provide an invaluable service, helping clients make meaningful physical contact, explore their fantasies, emotional needs and desire for companionship,” the spokesman said. “Rentboy.com has long been an advocate for a person’s right to do what he or she likes with their body. We constantly reinforce the message that escorts should be proud of the services they provide and not marginalized or made to feel inferior to someone donning a suit every day and trading pork belly futures.”
