SAN FRANCISCO - For the first time since it was founded in 2005, the International Mr. Gay competition will be hosted outside San Francisco.
The 2009 event, scheduled for the weekend of May 30, will occur in the Philippine capitol, Manila.
IMG founder Dan Spradlin said from 2009 on, he intends to host the contest in a different country each year in an effort "to help spread the word that gay is not a stereotype."
The annual four-day competition pits 20 "sexy, intelligent, globally conscious and physically fit men" against each other for the title, Spradlin said. From brains to brawn, the 2009 delegates will be judged during indoor and outdoor contests - including extemporaneous interviews on-stage during the grand finale.
"The competition searches beyond looks and abs to identify one man with the individual charisma and intelligence to serve as a successful spokesman and role model in confronting gay stereotypes," Spradlin said. "It is a not-so-subtle assault on the limitations imposed by the ‘gay stereotype' that is used by the homophobic press to define all gay people.
"When people think of competitions involving attractive people, they automatically think ‘reality show,'" he added. "We can produce an entertaining competition, but our purpose is to look for the real person underneath the glitz by including factors such as intelligence, community involvement and the winner's ability as a spokesman. Our competition is about finding an ambassador who will be speaking out for equal rights worldwide."
Rehearsals, photo shoots and fund-raising events round out the weekend, which is a benefit for the Noble Beast Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation that advocates international equal rights by confirming the essential nature and contributions of gay men to a healthy society.
In addition to the title of Mr. Gay 2009, the competition also will award titles including International Mr. Congeniality 2009, International Mr. Photogenic 2009, Most Popular (which will be determined by online voting) and the Philanthropy Award for the delegate who raises the most money to support the mission of the Noble Beast Foundation.
