Another S. African is Mr. Gay World

MANILA, Philippines—The rainbow nation bagged back-to-back victories in the Mister Gay World pageant when South African Francois Nel inherited the international title from compatriot Charl Van Den Berg in glittering ceremonies held in Mandaluyong City Sunday night.

The four-hour program, held in Club Mwah! in Mandaluyong City, gathered 23 international delegates for the pageant’s third edition, its first staging in Asia.

The 28-year-old South African impressed the judges with his wit and intelligence as he delivered strong answers to the questions asked in various stages of the competition.

During the semi-final interview, Nel said “same sex marriage is a human right. Love between a man and a man or whether between a man and a woman is not something to be determined by anybody else.” The predominantly gay audience punctuated the response with a resounding applause.

For the final round, host Boy Abunda asked all five finalists which world leader they would want to meet and what they will discuss with him or her.

Nel said he would like to meet former South African President Nelson Mandela, who he earlier described as his country’s greatest president.

“This man stands for everything that love means. He has certainly inspired all of us to be the rainbow nation,” he replied, adding “Mandela encompasses everything that humanity and human rights stand for.”

As Mister Gay World 2011, Nel is expected to visit various countries and speak on behalf of the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) community. He will also be busy preparing for the pageant’s 2012 edition, which incidentally will be held in his country’s capital, Johannesburg.

After his proclamation, Nel told the Inquirer the victory means everything to him.

“I’m so excited to be working for LGBTI,” he exclaimed.