Trans men can now compete in Mr. Gay World following rule change
The Mr. Gay World pageant has issued a rule change to welcome transgender men to compete in the contest.
The annual international beauty competition, kicking off on Saturday, Oct. 9, stated that it is "open to anyone who identifies as male, using him and his pronouns, and who collectively identifies as male."
This rule change, first announced in June, is part of the pageant's efforts to "encompass the male identifying spectrum within the LGBTQ+ community" and will be applied globally to countries that hold the queer pageant, including the Philippines.
Yes, this means Filipino trans men and other non-cisgender Filipinos who identify as male can vie for the Mr. Gay World Philippines crown.
Mr. Gay World updated its guidelines after drag artist Chiyo Gomes, the England pageant's first out-trans finalist, was met with transphobic comments.
The Mr Gay England cooperation are PROUD to welcome any gay man to compete for one of our national titles.
— Mr Gay England ?️???????? ?️⚧️ (@mrgayengland) September 17, 2020
In regards to welcoming a trans man into our finals, if you are a trans man you ARE a man.
Simples. pic.twitter.com/Q9BCbR02MK
"[The pageant's] primary focus is that of the gay and male identifying demographic of society as a community that has been globally recognised as a vulnerable minority with specific needs and requirements to promote self-confidence, solidarity and a sense of community," the compeition's release read.
Due to the pandemic, Mr. Gay World has been on a hiatus for two years. Two pageants will be held in October, with Mr. Gay World 2020 streaming on October 9 and the 2021 event taking place two weeks after.
Mr. Gay World Philippines 2020 Leonard Kodie Macayan will represent the country in the first pageant, while Cebu's Joel Rey Carcasona will raise the Philippine flag in the 2021 contest.
Thumbnail and banner photos from @mgworg and @prinxchiyo on Instagram.
