SA BIDS TO HOST MR GAY WORLD FOR 2ND TIME

The Pink Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival is aiming to bring the Mr Gay World™ contest back to South Africa.

Now in its 15th year, the country’s most fabulous annual LGBTI festival – in association with Triarc – is set to take place from Wednesday 29 April to Sunday 3 May 2015.

In addition to the cultural, entertainment, charity and other events that revellers have come to expect, the 2015 edition could also see the festival include the international Mr Gay World competition in its line-up.

Coenie Kukkuk, Mr Gay World Director for Africa & Middle East, confirmed that Pink Loerie Mardi Gras Festivals Southern Africa CC has put in a bid to host Mr Gay World 2015 during the festival.

“If the bid is successful, Mr Gay World 2015 will be co-hosted in Knysna and Cape Town, with the Grand Finale taking place in the Mother City on Sunday 3 May 2015,” he said.

“Our bid has the advantage of incorporating the planning, infrastructure and participants that we will already have in place for the Pink Loerie – and who could argue with holding the spectacular finale in one of the world’s most beautiful gay tourism capitals?” added Pink Loerie Co-ordinator John O’Neil.

South Africa previously hosted Mr Gay World with great success when the contest was held in Johannesburg in 2012. South African contestants won Mr Gay World in 2010 and 2011, and came second in 2012. Last year’s winner, New Zealander Chris Olwage, was born and grew up in South Africa.

Triarc, Africa’s first specialist gay insurance provider, has not only partnered with the Pink Loerie Festival for next year’s event, but will also cover the organising committee’s travel costs to present their bid at Mr Gay World 2014 in Rome in August.

“After having an awesome brand launch at the Pink Loerie in 2014, Triarc jumped at the opportunity to support the organising committee’s bid to bring the Mr Gay World 2015 competition to South Africa again,” said Triarc’s Jaco Nepgen.

Being a gay owned company, the Triarc team designed its products specifically around the unique requirements of the gay market and is creating brand awareness at various LGBTI events around the country with lots of giveaways and prizes.

Members of the LGBTI community are urged to diarise Wednesday 29 April to Sunday 3 May 2015 for what promises to be a memorable edition of the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival.