CHAOS AT MR & MISS GAY SA INTERNATIONAL CLAIM
Juan Lerm, of Pink Loerie fame, has slammed the organisation of the recent ‘Mr and Miss Gay South Africa International’ which was held at the Portuguese Hall in Pretoria.
As reported by www.gayspeak.co.za, Lerm was asked to replace the original MC the night before the May 31 pageant, and claimed that the event barely catered for its staff and contestants.
He suggested that organiser Tony Lorenz spent almost none of the R100 per head ticket sales on “making the evening special for the audience,” which apparently consisted of over 1200 paying customers.
According to Gayspeak, many in the audience were reportedly shocked to see the lack of facilities for such a contest, including the absence of an on-stage ramp and refreshments for the contestants.
“Naming this competition ‘Mr. Gay SA International,’ is laughable,” wrote Gayspeak’s Coenie Kukkuk who scoffed at the absence of regional or provincial trials. Kukkuk also claimed that several finalists have yet to receive anything beyond the bouquet of flowers presented on the night, and that this unprofessionalism was intolerable.
Mambaonline also received a complaint via email against the organisers, directed towards www.coolconnections.us (the ‘official’ website for ‘Mr and Miss Gay SA International’), concerning the reservation of tickets for the event.
According to the writer, who said that Lorenz “was extremely rude and put the phone down on me,” the site had been accepting orders for ticket reservations, despite the fact that no more tickets were available.
While admitting that “there were lots of people who enjoyed themselves on the night,” Gayspeak claims that without the cooperation of the venue owner, as well as Juan’s role as MC, the night would have been an even bigger embarrassment to the gay community.
A contestant, who wishes to remain anonymous, confirmed these allegations, stating that along with the lack of a ramp, “the judging was inaccurate,” and that the venue “could definitely have been more posh”.
Gayspeak says that Tony Lorenz is now planning on organising ‘Mr Gay Universe’ in Pretoria, an event that he claims will be attended by 10 000 people. Kukkuk says that this will be yet another “money-making scheme,” and has opposed the buying of tickets for the event that will apparently go on sale on July 1.
At the time of publication, attempts by Mambaonline to contact Lorenz telephonically have been unsuccessful.
Sub culture event. Your article does not go far enough. This was a sub vulture event which was certainly not a classy event in any manner. The ‘lang arm’ sums this rather tardy affair with no gneric relevance to our society at all. Lack of facilities in general were the order of the evening, with even ‘VIP’ tables being so cramped together that we could not move. The venue, whilst obvioulsy good for a other types of functions, was poorly ventilated, overcrowded and nothing short of lacking in any kind of taste! Mt Universe? Maybe the ego yes….
Off the radar…. The langarm parties are indeed off the radar screen of social events in Gauteng – and that’s one of the reasons I love going there. The other reason is that it borders on the bizarre…and it’s just a hell of a lot of fun.
I had a good time at Mr Gay SA International. ( LOVE the INTERNATIONAL bit ! ) And the organisation was indeed terrible, but that didn’t spoil it for me. I mean hallo ? An event like that at the Portuguese Hall – what did you expect ?
Rip Off. As said by another, this article did not go far enough. Good journalism should have picked up that at R120 000 door takings (excl other sales) and all prizes sponsored, I felt cheated. We had to fight to get our tables back and the lady at the ticket desk could not care two hoots about our valid complaint. She even insisted on us paying again despite her confirmation sheet stating we were fully paid up. Mach later in the evening we were eventually refunded. Imagine paying twice and then a shrug of her shoulders was all we got from her in response to our complaints. So yes, when she was called upstage for her flowers, it was me shouting aloud BOOOOOOO
Indeed a boo boo event and sponsors should boycott the bad hosts!
MOckery…..Miss Gay SA international. I so agree with u……there was a few people that paid twice…..and at the end didnt even had a decent seat to sit……
An event like this should really be boycott…..
Im so agreeing to what is said above….as one of the contestants i believe that it was an unfair competition, the judges was not competent enough, cause some of them didnt even score all the contestants, just the few that they like……..
And the top 3 winners didnt even win any cash money…..and the runner up for the miss gay sa international only received flowers …….what a mockery……..
y4DKSB Scribbler, give me a student’s record-book!)))