THE WHOLE WORLD PROBABLY KNOWS THAT DESPITE HUGE ANTI-PROTESTS FRANCE JUST LEGALIZED MARRIAGE BETWEEN SAME SEX PARTNERS AND THE FIRST GAY WEDDING IS ALREADY A FACT. THE UK SEEMS TO HEAD IN THE SAME DIRECTION, AND FINLAND, THE ONLY NORDIC COUNTRY THAT DOES NOT ALLOW SAME SEX MARRIAGE IS FIGHTING STRONGLY. IF THERE EVER WAS A TIME TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF BRINGING VISIBILITY TO HOMOSEXUALITY IN OUR SOCIETY, THIS IS IT.
The international Gay Prides have had periods of strong political importance and moment where it was more perceived as fun than a necessary good. But over the past couple of years, it has become once again abundantly clear that gay prides and likewise events are very important if it comes to emancipation and changing the public and political opinion. And so we embrace the election of Mister Gay Europe and, a bit later, Mister Gay World.
Just like other pageants, the election of Mister Gay follows the same principle. First you choose a local Mister Gay before sending him to a more continental or global event. And if for some reason the number one can’t do it, we send the runner up. As it is the case with Armando Santos, who will be flying the French blue, blanc, rouge in Prague late July at the Mr Gay Europe contest and in Antwerp in August hoping to win the election of Mr Gay World. This information was confirmed by the Mr Gay Europe and World committee, and they couldn't have made a better choice. Armando is the personification of a European citizen.
26-Years old Armando Santos holds Europe within him. With Portuguese-Lebanese origin, Armando has lived in Spain, Portugal, Belgium and currently resides in France. Perfectly at ease with his homosexuality and his physical appearance, and with every right to be so, Armando is a well sought after model and role model. Active in gay events he has also participated to the Mr Gay Têtu election, initiated by the well-known French gay lifestyle magazine Têtu, where he was chosen to be Mr Gay September. Armando reached an honorable second place in the final, only a breath away from the winner Romain Alegret, Mr Gay Têtu 2013. And since Romain is not available for the European and World elections, it is Armando’s place to represent France and its colorful gay community. A better choice could not have been made.
As said before, events such as Gay Pride’s and the election of a Mr Gay Europe and World are now more important than ever. With voices rising up everywhere calling for equal rights where it comes to marriage and adoption, every opportunity to speak out must be used. Armando Santos is not the kind of guy to shy away from that. “I’m proud to be gay and proud of my country France, which has finally adopted equal marriage right for everyone,” comments the dark haired hunk. “I would be honored to be elected Mr Gay Europe and – yes – World 2013 and act as a role model and ambassador for gay rights. As Mr Gay Europe 2013 I would strongly support my European neighbors who have not embraced the equality rights yet. Also I am not afraid to take a stand against homophobia, which is still very much alive in sport and work environments. “
Mr Gay Europe is much more than a beauty contest. According to the organization it is one of the toughest job interview in Europe. Of course physical beauty is part of the game, but there is certainly strong interest in both personality and intelligence. Armando Santos has all three. In fact, if we look at the jury’s credential list, we can safely check off all questions when it comes to Armando. However, it is not only the professional jury that decides. You, the audience, also have a say in who should be our ambassador for 2013. For this you can vote online as early as July 01.
On July 26 Armando Santos will fly to the beautiful city of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, together with his personal coach Remy Frejaville, who represented France at last years Mr Gay Europe elections and landed a honorable top 5 placement. That Friday at 17.30 he will start his program that hopefully will lead to his victory during the Grand Finale on Tuesday July 30. Immediately after that Armando will then fly to Antwerp where he will start his program for Mr Gay World from August 1 to 5, in partnership with the World Out Games that also take place in Antwerp, from July 31 to August 11 2013. Stay tuned gentlemen and cast your votes for Armando Santos. We wish Armando good luck for the Mr Gay Europe 2013 election in Prague and the Mr Gay World 2013 election in Antwerp and may the best win. –BM-
All photo’s by Exterface.
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