Policy Statement and Rules of Mr Gay World
1.1
The Mr Gay World Pageant utilizes the concept of a 'beauty contest' to raise the self esteem and visibility of gay men internationally. The man eventually selected will join the ranks of the many positive role models in the international gay community and will help contribute to breaking the
negative stereotype of being gay or different, which is used to justify lesser forms of human rights for gay people, an experience shared by many throughout the world.
1.2
Mr Gay World is a network of equals. It is a competition that draws contestants from all the continents and re-enforces the cultural bonds of the gay communities into a positive international network for raising awareness, promoting visibility, offering support to the wider LGBTQ community for human rights and acknowledging the active citizenship of gay people worldwide.
1.3
The contestants, as national winners possess many qualities. The winner will have a unique combination of looks, charm, intellect, confidence, awareness and self esteem.
1.4
During the stages of the competition, and particularly in the personal interviews, the juries will focus on a man who:
- shows an understanding of the world and people around him
- of how he can help contribute to a more equal and respectful society for all;
- has respect for a range of views, but has confidence in expressing his own, when pursuing justice and well being for gay people in all societies;
- embraces cultural, linguistic, ability, gender, age, faith and sexual orientation diversity as norms to be promoted in a respectful world;
- can learn, articulate his thoughts and conduct an intelligent conversation even with people who do not share his views or values;
- could be the man any group or company would like to have as their representative;
- can be an ambassador of goodwill between all communities, by being visible, inspiring confidence and reinforcing understanding of the richness of
cultural difference globally;
- is confident in his own values, attributes and opinion.
- is respectful and careful of his appearance and wellbeing.
2.0
The Organization
2.1
Mr Gay World LTD (Mr Gay World) is a commercial, independent and non-political organization. It has three shareholders and a separate Board of Directors, many voluntary. Its objective is to organize and deliver international events that are inclusive and that are of benefit to the gay community worldwide on a commercial basis. The organization divides its activity in task centers; Administration, Rules & Regulations, Accounting, Communication etc. These centers are placed with the different directors of the Board around the world.
3.0
The Location
3.1
The Mr Gay World Competition's ambition where possible, is to host the event in a different city each year, to maximize the global impact of the event and its values. Application details are available of the Mr Gay World website. The decision on the location of the host city rests with the Board of
Directors.
3.2
Each year by the beginning of previous October at the latest, the new host city will be announced on the Mr Gay World web site and through an official press release.
3.3
Local Mr. Gay producers, organizations, companies or persons intending to host the Mr Gay World Competition must provide the Mr Gay World organization with a testimony of their shared commitment to the values of the event.
3.4
Each applicant city must provide a detailed production plan regarding marketing, budget, communications, public relations, evidence of local solidarity with national gay organizations and a professional production proposal for the Grand Final show.
3.5
Mr Gay World will reserve the right to approve all final images used and statements made on behalf of the competition. Interested parties may inquire for a detailed list of requirements needed for hosting the Mr Gay World competition via the website. The Mr Gay World Final will be a joint event between Mr Gay World and the selected National Producer.
4.0
The Finalists
4.1
The countries represented on the Board of Directors are the 'core countries' - the founding members of Mr Gay World. Each is entitled to send a finalist to the Mr Gay World event each year. The winning country is also guaranteed a place in next year's event. For non-director/non winner countries, Mr Gay World
wants to maximize its reach and inclusiveness globally.
4.2
If you participate in the event one year, it does not confer automatic entry into the event the
following year. Likewise if you are not included one year, it does not prevent you from being selected another year. Mr Gay World will prioritize diversity in race, age, faith, region, ability, language and appearance in selecting the Grand Finalists.
5.0
Mr Gay World as a partner with National Contests
5.1
Mr Gay World will make every effort to ensure that at least one representative is secured from each continent. Priority will be given to countries that hold a transparent national contest. Mr Gay World reserves the right to nominate a candidate(wildcard) from a country where it perceives gay rights are
particularly disadvantaged, in order to promote awareness and respect for the gay community in that country, with due regard to safety and wellbeing of the individual or community in the country concerned.
5.2
Mr Gay World is about organizing international competitions and events. It has no role in selecting or interfering in national contests or their organization. It does not promote rival or competitive national competitions, where a national transparent event exists. It seeks to co-operate with these well run, value driven, national contests where possible.
5.3
If a country has its own registered or established Mr. Gay Contest and should a country or a local Mr. Gay decline an invitation to enter the Mr Gay World competition, the invitation can be extended to other possible national partners wishing to enter a Delegate who will represent that country in the Competition.
5.4
Every effort will be made to ensure participation by the legitimate national winner, provided that the national contest is established and has been held at least once in the previous two years. In the event of no national event having been held in the previous two years, then Mr Gay World may accept a nomination from a new contest in that country.
5.5
It is essential for the wellbeing of Mr Gay World that it maximizes its network by selecting delegates who can bring a broad constituency of support to the competition that will assist in the globalization of its values and aims. This is best achieved by delegates who are winners of national events in their own country.
5.6
In exceptional circumstances, if a country does not have an official Mr. Gay competition and an organization and no other national partners or organizers want to appoint, select or nominate a Delegate, any gay man with a family address in and passport from a given country can register as a
Delegate through our Wild Card Program (WCP).The final decision as to whether to accept an independent application or the number of these allowed rests with the Board of Directors.
5.7
If a country does not have an official Mr. Gay competition and an organization, club owner or a local arranger wants to host a Mr. Gay contest, in his/her native country he or she may contact Mr Gay World for further information. Mr Gay World will not accept or encourage candidates or alternatives to the existing national competition. In the event of selecting a wildcard delegate from a country where there is no existing competition Mr Gay World will then assist that delegate in networking with their local gay community to organize future Mr. Gay events in that country where possible.
5.8
If there are regional competitions like Mr. Gay Europe, Mr. Gay Asia etc and Mr Gay World has agreements with the producers of these events, any Delegate who wants to participate in Mr Gay World also first has to go through the regional competitions.
5.9
If due to time and schedule a country selects a new Mr. Gay candidate between a regional competition and Mr Gay World, it is up to the local producer to determine which of the candidates in question is to go to Mr Gay World.
6.0
The Delegates
6.1
All of the Delegates will take part fully in the Mr Gay World event and following the final, will act as 'ambassadors' for Mr Gay World in their region for the year. The Grand finale is a show of winners and national role models.
6.2
Delegates will be invited to take part in all segments of the final and segments will be tailored if necessary to respect differences in ability, language or culture where possible.
6.3
Mr Gay World commits itself to ensuring that all elements of the Competition will be appropriate, will not enhance negative stereotypes, and will be appealing and comfortable for all delegates.
6.4
The Board of Directors will decide the number of contestants in each year's competition. One Delegate will be crowned Mr Gay World. Two other Delegates will be named 1st and 2nd runner up and in the event of the winner not fulfilling his duties satisfactorily or resigning, the runner-up (s) will be invited by the Board to succeed to the title in the order that they were successful.
6.5
Special Awards can be presented during the Final as set out by the Board or on the recommendation of the Judging panel or appropriate sponsors. For example Awards for the Best Interview, the Human Rights Award, the most active Ambassador award, and Mr. Swimwear/Photogenic or acknowledging success in given tasks may be presented annually. These individual awards may attract an appropriate sponsorship.
6.6
Mr Gay World reserves the right to make award (s) to an outstanding national gay organization or activist during the Grand Final. National Producers are encouraged to make Mr Gay World aware of exceptional events or people who are promoting positive action on gay rights and wellbeing.
7.0
Adjudication
7.1
The Adjudication process is open and transparent. The Board of Mr Gay World will appoint at least 2 scrutineers including the local producers who will nominate at least one of those crutineers. Scrutineers cannot address or be part of the Judging panel. They will collate the marks of each preliminary jury in advance of the Final (and maintain them confidentially).
7.2
During the final they collate the marks of each judge at the conclusion of each section, cross check the addition and cumulate the totals. The two scrutineers are responsible for presenting the final tally of marks on time and accurately to the Chairman of the Grand Final Jury who will announce the result.
7.3
In the event of a tie the Chairman of the Panel will inform the Jurists of the delegates names involved in the tie. Without advocacy, each name will be presented to the Jury and a show of hands will decide the winner. Jurists can only vote for one candidate or abstain. In the event of more than two candidates being on the list the candidate that gets a simple majority is declared the winner. The lowest placed candidate is eliminated until a winner reaches that majority.
7.4
Any Jury member who has reasonable doubts as to the transparency of the marking or assessment system can ask for access to the tallied results but must agree to retain their confidentiality. In the event of a discrepancy in the announced result and the tallied marks being uncovered, that jury member has the right to call a full meeting of the Board of Mr Gay World which will be immediately convened. This meeting will examine the marking calculations, be chaired by a Board member who was not on the Jury, and will determine the true result as marked and correctly tallied.
8.0
Interviews
8.1
The Interview Process may be adjudicated by a separate team of adjudicators no more than 6 (max 3 panels of two) on a day other than the Grand Final day where possible.
8.2
Interview Judges must be from, or supportive of, the gay community and the objectives of Mr Gay World. They must have a keen knowledge of human and gay rights and demonstrate a degree of international political awareness. Representatives of the national producing home country (max 3) should be included on this panel along with (max 3) international judges selected by the Board.
8.3
Tasks may be set for the delegates from time to time including the Grand Final, testing abilities and communication and co-operation skills. Delegates will not be disadvantaged by language proficiency or physical ability in these tasks. They will be judged on their willingness to participate and co-operate with others and their capacity to accept and fulfill a challenge whether successful or not. Such a task may include the Swimwear contest.
9.0
How to host Mr Gay World
9.1
Any city who wants to host the Mr Gay World finals needs to apply by the published deadline.
9.2
If possible at the end of each Mr Gay World finals, the new host city will be announced.
9.3
At the conclusion of each year's Final national producers are immediately invited to register for next year's participation and as soon as possible asked to provide the dates for their next year's local Mr. Gay competition and details of their winner. The Mr Gay World website welcomes details of these events and will be pleased to promote them on the Mr Gay World website.
10.0
Delegates
10.1
The candidate from each country must be available for the dates listed in the program for each year's competition, and arrive on the time and dates given by the Mr Gay World organization. On acceptance of a place in the Final, the candidate enters into a contract with the Board of Mr Gay World to fulfill his responsibilities in regard to the timetable and events within the published competition program.
10.2
In the event of a delegate failing to do so, the national producer will be invited to replace the national delegate. If this is not possible, then the Board reserves the right to offer the vacant place to another country or wildcard to send a delegate to the Grand Final.
10.3
The winner of Mr Gay World and our ambassadors must also be available for interviews and other official duties on the day after the finals and during the year where possible in their own country or region. Mr Gay World is available to visit each country where resources and time permits, national producers are very welcome to invite Mr Gay World to important events in their own country and the Mr Gay World organization will do its best to ensure co-operation in these events.
10.4
Mr Gay World encourages a dialogue between countries and in this all finalists can play an important ongoing networking role. All finalists, as Ambassadors, are asked to make the Mr Gay World organization aware of issues that are affecting gay people in their own countries or regions, where they feel the support and media and political attention generated by Mr Gay World may be of assistance.
10.5
Delegates are encouraged to continue to feed in their views to Mr Gay World during the year to assist in generating and contributing to the ongoing international debate on gay rights as human rights. Any statement issued using the term Mr Gay World during the year must be cleared by the Communications Office of Mr Gay World in advance of any publication.
10.6
There will be no participant's fee for the Delegates.
10.7
Travelling to and from the contest is covered by the national arranger, producer, club owner, sponsor or host, or by a country's Mr. Gay himself. In the event of Mr Gay World attracting appropriate sponsorship this benefit will be shared with delegates by Mr Gay World.
10.8
The Mr Gay World Organization offers contestants free accommodation at first rate hotels. Delegates and their producers will also be invited to receptions, seminars and events.
10.9
The competition will be presented in English and it is our hope that the Delegates' knowledge of English is of such quality that he will be understood by the judges and the audience alike. However Mr Gay World is committed to linguistic diversity and a lack of knowledge of English will not be deemed a sole reason for non selection. Interpreters will be provided if needed and advance notice is required for such services. No delegate will be disadvantaged by their linguistic competence and Judges will be instructed to make an appropriate allowance in relevant marks for the linguistic diversity.
10.10
All Delegates and their sponsoring arrangers, producers, hosts or club owners must have internet access from the time they enter the contest until the finals take place, as most of the arrangements and instructions for the contest will be disseminated via e-mail. Once registered Delegates share a responsibility for ensuring they are fully informed of developments or alterations to published schedules.
10.11
Correspondence with the contestants will be conducted in English and copied to the national producer.
10.12
Delegates must be at least 18 years of age, or, the legal age of consent in the country he is representing, if the legal age there is older than 18 years. Delegates must self identify as a gay man and as such give permission to Mr Gay World to promote them in their own country's media and abroad.
10.13
As an official Delegate of Mr Gay World you will be sharing a twin room with one of the other Delegates. This is not negotiable. This is part of our friendship program and has through the years proven to be a huge success in ensuring delegates leaves with a network of new friends around the world. It also fosters camaraderie and support amongst delegates to ensure everyone makes it to the events on time and that everyone interacts with their fellow delegates.
11.0
The Jury
11.1
The Grand Final jury will consist of no more than seven qualified persons. The Chairman of the jury will be the Chairman of The Mr Gay World Organization or his deputy and may act in a nonvoting capacity if desired. More than half of the jurors have to represent other countries than the host country. Jurists must be diverse in their age range, sexual orientation, race and beliefs.
11.2
A representative of a major sponsor may be included on this list provided they fulfill the above criteria. Jurists must display a strong understanding and commitment to the competition process, not campaign or advocate for any candidate, mark their forms separately and confidentially and give them to the scrutineers after the completion of each round.
11.3
There can be a special jury for The Mr. Gay Swim Wear Contest (not more than 5) or for the tasks set by the organizers (not more than 5). There may be a separate panel for the interviews conducted before the finals not more than 3 panels of two jurists each. It is possible for a jurist to serve on more than one panel.
12.0
Competition Rules
12.1
To ensure a fair competition, there will be no personal stylists, hairdressers or local arrangers permitted backstage or in the Delegates' hotel rooms at any time.
12.2
Each Delegate will receive two complimentary tickets for his local hosts, arrangers, family and friends. Tickets for friends or relatives can be bought at a later stage.
12.3
Each sponsoring Producer is the core 'investor' in each Grand Final. As an acknowledgement of their financial investment in getting their delegate to the Final, each national producer will receive access to all events including where possible for his party - to a maximum of ten tickets.
Mr Gay World will endeavor to include producers and their parties at events and to devise a program of activities for National Producers. Mr Gay World will schedule a consultation meeting during each Final to consult with and get feedback from national producers and their representatives. Mr Gay World welcomes feedback from Delegates during and especially after the event.
12.4
For your own comfort smoking or excessive noise is not allowed in hotel rooms. For your roommate's comfort please remember the room is yours on a shared basis and his comfort, privacy and space must be your top priority.
13.0
Code Of Conduct
13.1
You are an adult. You should not require correction or supervision. You are asked to co-operate with all reasonable requests and to be on time. Delegates and winners are required to respect the laws of the country they are in, to respect the cultures of their fellow delegates and to respect the privacy of others. Any use of drugs is prohibited and automatically
disqualifies the delegate from the Grand Final.
13.2
Any misconduct, non-observance of rules, use of drugs, drunken or disrespectful behavior by a Delegate or winner may result in a penalty including loss of marks up to an immediate dismissal from The Mr Gay World Competition, as determined by the Competition officials.
13.3
Delegates or winners who are uncomfortable with any action, decision or behavior of anyone associated with the Mr Gay World event are invited to contact any of the members of the Board who will make every effort to restore your confidence in the standards of the event.
14.0
Communication
14.1
All Delegates must be willing to be photographed, videotaped and interviewed at all times. Contestants understand that the photos, video footage and interviews can be distributed, and the show can be broadcasted, domestic and foreign, without any limitations, and without any fee to the contestants.
14.2
There will be photos, interviews and a brief press conference immediately following the contest. The winner will be under contract of The Mr Gay World Organization, and therefore required to participate in these. In the event where an appearance by Mr Gay World attracts a fee, Mr Gay World will endeavor to include the winner as a beneficiary of any such fee after legitimate
expenses.
14.3
The Mr Gay World title holder may return to normal life after the competition is over. Any requests for personal appearances by you as Mr Gay World must be coordinated through the Mr Gay World Organization and local arranger. Your essential expenses will be covered for these events. You will be expected to observe the Mr Gay World code of conduct in public at all times to be a welcome guest at any event, to participate enthusiastically in the event and to dress appropriately.
14.4
The Mr Gay World title remains the property of Mr Gay World and can be transferred at any time to another candidate in the event of a breach of the contract of co-operation and respect that exists between Mr Gay World, the winner and all our delegates/ambassadors.
