Mr Gay World 2020 and 2021 will both be crowned in Johannesburg next year

Mr Gay World has announced that the Mr Gay World 2020 contest has been postponed to next year, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns.

The international event was set to take place in South Africa’s Nelson Mandela Bay and Knysna this month but was put on hold until later in the year as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

However, due to continued uncertainty around when social distancing and travel restrictions will be eased, Mr Gay World 2020 will now be held in March 2021, alongside Mr Gay World 2021. The current delegates who were already selected for this year’s event will remain eligible to stand for the 2020 title.

The decision to crown both Mr Gay World 2020 and Mr Gay World 2021 at the same event is unprecedented but was a necessary response to the significant and ongoing disruptions to daily life around the world. The two winners will share a stage and will reign together as Mr Gay World 2020 and Mr Gay World 2021 for a year.

“It is unfortunate that we are postponing this year’s event to March 2021 but we will be back greater and stronger; in these unprecedented times we lead by example and by the ability to cope with change and adjust,” says Eric Butter, President, owner and founder of Mr Gay World. “The contest will take place in Johannesburg from the 21st to the 28th of March, 2021. I am very much looking forward to it as this is the second time it will be held in Johannesburg. The first was in 2012 and it was one of the best Mr Gay World events ever.”

In the meantime, the current Mr Gay World 2019, Janjep Carlos from the Philippines, will step down from his duties after his reign concluded at the end of April 2020. His role will be taken up by Spain’s Francisco Alvarado, the 1st runner-up of Mr Gay World 2019.

“I’d like to thank Mr Janjep Carlos for his efforts. He did a remarkable job at last year’s event and we wish him well in his future endeavours,” says Butter. “Francisco Alvarado will contribute and will ensure that a diverse range of projects and ideas are executed to advance LGBTQ+ rights and the community in general”.

The annual Mr Gay World competition aims to find an ambassador for the international LGBTQ+ community from a diverse range of delegates who represent the spirit of their nation and embody qualities such as confidence, self-assurance, charisma and natural leadership.

In South Africa, several LGBTQ+ events including Durban Pride, Free State Pride and the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festival (along with Knysna Pride) have also been postponed due to the coronavirus crisis.