Mr Gay World 2022 delegates fly into Cape Town

Delegates from around the world have started arriving in Cape Town as they prepare to compete for the coveted Mr Gay World 2022 title.

Hailing from countries such as Chile, Germany, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Spain and the USA, they will engage in a week-long series of physical and mental contests in the coming days, leading up to the crowning Grand Finale event at the iconic Artscape Opera House on Saturday.

The delegates will  have the opportunity to interact with one another and share and learn from their life experiences and the struggles and successes unique to the LGBTQ+ communities in their respective countries Johannesburg-born Shanon Kannigan will be South Africa’s representative in the contest.

A star-studded judging panel will have the responsibility of selecting the 2022 titleholder, who is expected to be a role model and ambassador for the LGBTQ+ community.

Eric Butter, President of Mr Gay World, was meant to attend but has unfortunately been forced to pull out due to ill health, announced the event’s organisers. He will be replaced by South Africa’s Coenie Kukkuk as Acting President Mr Gay World for the week of the finale.

Kukkuk is a well-known figure in the local LGBTQ+ community and is an attorney specialising in litigation and antenuptial contracts, as well as the rights of LGBTQ+ people. He is also a former Mr Gay World Director for Africa and the Middle East.

The organisers say this year’s competition will see a stronger focus on social awareness. New categories will be added, including peer evaluations of delegates’ social responsibility campaigns and the sustainability of their national projects.

Traditional categories such as evening attire, swimwear, national costumes, and interviews remain, together with various challenges to ensure that an all-rounded individual is selected to carry the hopes and aspirations of the global LGBTQ+ community.

The Mr Gay World 2022 contest takes place at the Artscape Opera House in the Cape Town CBD on the 15th of October 2022 at 18:00 (CAT).

Tickets to the event, priced at R100 or R150, are now available and can be bought online here.