Thank You

Mr Gay South Africa.
There are many hero’s within the gay community.
Mr Gay South Africa and Mr Gay World provides the opportunity to learn about these great hero’s, and sometimes to meet them as well. I will forever be infinitely thankful and continuously inspired by the hero’s I have met and worked with this year.
Leaders that not only showcased the talent the community embody, but have come together in cultural celebration and portrayed the great qualities superheros are known for.
There has been human rights conferences, sport participation, performing artists and political statements made by a community all striving for one goal, the same rights and opportunities as our heterosexual counterparts.
Pride is most certainly something that has been reiterated for me this year. There is a lot of heartache in the struggles that humankind is still faced with, and there have been tears amongst hero’s at the loss of lives due to segregation.
But there has been pride evident in our people all around the World and at every event.
Every individual has the potential and talent unique to them, potential and talents that should not face hindrance or discrimination. Talents that should be cultivated to be the best you can be, the superhero of your own world.
Mr Gay World.

Mr Gay World has been an experience, first and foremost it has been alive with varying life lessons and events.

There is a driving force that is installed deep within the mind of many gay activists, a dream that is true to heart, one that envisions life with celebration and without hindrance, with equal opportunities and chances to cultivate a life rich in experience, education, love, mutual respect and self worth. This dream transcends into a cause that believes all are equal, and all may pursue their avenues of love, enliven their talents and be true to themselves. The dream and ideology applies to those of all ages, and through continuous reflection we see that there is an end goal, we are reminded of this goal every time a milestone is reached.  Milestones are tangible treasures of this dream, treasures such as marriage equality, freedom for our people and equal recognition.

My sincere gratitude goes out to those who have made a wonderful and enriching journey possible, one that highlights this dream and cause. The Mr Gay World journey is filled with vibrant cultural experiences, inspiring speeches from activists, mesmerising performances by artists and enlightening social interaction within our community. One of the most important and fundamental parts of this journey is learning on the acquisition and advancement of LGTBI rights internationally. Irrespective of the pace of this acquisition and advancement, we have seen wonderful moments and milestones in the last year, from eventful Pride Parades to marriage equality and inspiring speeches by World leaders at the UN.

There is still a walk of freedom evident around the world for the LGBTI community before this dream may be realised, but through celebrating our pride, living our dreams and highlighting our story, we reach a milestone every day.

I would like to express my most sincere gratitude and appreciation to those who have shown their support in the last two years, your messages and kind words fuels inspiration and for your time and support I will be infinitely grateful.

My special thoughts and hopes go to the new delegates, there is much needed work on the African continent and your presence and participation here speaks of the deep seated values and ideals you share for the dream. The stage is set to find amongst you the next Mr Gay World, but between you, you are all winners. Every man brings his story and dedication to the cause and dream, I wish you all, only the very best!

The redefinition of a man is one where he learns of the struggles faced by his brother.

The ideals of the dream will be alive in me forevermore.

With My special thanks to Cell C South Africa.

Francois Nel

Cell C

 

2012
06/06
CATEGORY
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Freedom of Speech Russia

Freedom of Speech Russia – protest the gay gag law.

2012
03/24
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To Russia With Love From South Africa

In the Southern Hemisphere and an African land there is a voice and nation that resounds a dream so robust and full of ambition it comes alive in a symbolic rainbow and extrudes the main characteristic of freedom. 

This week South Africa celebrated Human Rights day, the public holiday saw the remembrance of the progress we have made as well as the enjoyment of this mid week break as people scurried around for a fresh break from routine and indulge the sunny day. By the same token there was a unified concern and trepidation by the mention of a government that wants to change the constitution:

http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2012/03/04/battle-of-the-constitution-changes-on-anc-wish-list

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/8907057/South-Africa-passes-secrecy-bill.htm

Change is not always good, while we celebrated another human rights day in South Africa, Russia passed a law in St Petersburg to criminalise the promotion or speaking of anything bearing homosexual content, in effect not only stripping gay and the LGTBI community of their voice and human rights but hindering any counselling or advice to the youth of the marginalised community. 

However nonsensical it may seem that sexual orientation is still not recognised as an inherent inborn characteristic, as many a scientific study will prove, it further disappoints that such laws are passed and don’t respect equal human rights. 

Being proud South Africans we recorded a video to boast our progressive constitution and to show our welcome to citizens from all orientations. Irrespective of Russia’s motivations for this law, is it ever the answer to violate human rights?

Project open to Public

To be pragmatic in this project, join us if you have gay friends or family or feel that this law infringes human rights:

  • Record a simple video saying where you from and that you would not travel to St Petersburg if this law is in practise.
  • Use the opportunity to showcase your country as an alternative destination if your laws protect people from all gender identities.

Thank You Vicky Sampson for the voice and African Dream 

All I want is for our heartbeats,

The beat just as one,

To silence that confusion

And the pain and the illusion,

Will dissapear again

And we would never run

Cos’ in my African Dream

Theres a new tommorow

Cos’ in my african Dream

Theres a dream that we can follow

 Please also sign the petition on allout.org

2012
03/24
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Dit Raak Beter

Mnr Gay Wereld 2011 – Francois Nel – Dit Raak Beter

2012
03/01
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Dit Raak Beter

Eerstens is ek baie opgewonde om n opname te maak in my moedertaal, Afrikaans.

Afrikaans is n taal eg aan Suid-Afrika se geskiedenis en word ryklik gepraat en gekenmerk as die taal wat die wydste versprei is oor Suid-Afrika.  Afrikaans word deur mense geniet  van alle rasse en elke ouderdom. Hierdie taal is ook bekend vir die vindingryke kultuur wat dit besit onder andere: poesie, sang, dans en draaiboek.

n Taal wat altyd n gedeelte van ons en Suid-Afrika sal wees.

 

Wat  so merkwaardig en wonderlik is oor die Dit Raak Beter veldtog, is dat dit n platform is vir die droom  en ideologie agter so baie van die bestaande gay aktivisme projekte.

 

Dit bring deur middle van werklike lewens stories die omstandighede en kwessies wat algemeen in jong volwassenes van die LGTBI gemeenskap kan voorkom.

Dit word in n konteks gebruik wat hoop en Vryheid gee aan diegene wat moontlik deur situasies gaan wat wissel van boelies, interne konflik of hartseer.

 

In my persoonlike ervaring, is ek veral passievol oor die boodskap wat gerig is op diegene wat op die ouderdom is waar hul verskille voel soos n onveranderlike las. Kwaliteiete en einskappe wat eg voel met geen vermoe om te verander of kies nie. Ek weet op hierdie ouderdom is sosiale interaksie en aanvaarding van die wereld en jou familie van kardinale belang en baie belangrik vir jou.

Ek wil he jy moet weet, Dit Word Beter:

N Tyd sal kom wanneer die swaarkry wat jy nou in die gesig staar vervang sal word met n gevoel van aanvaarding en vryheid.

 Daar was wonderlike vordering  en vieringe in die laaste jaar, soos ons dele van n droom kon sien waar word, met die ontwikkeling en wetgewing van gay huwelike in verskillende sektore.

Die LGTBI gemeenskap is n eenheid wat hom beywer vir gelykheid, en in die minste verdien hulle gelyke menseregte.

Ek praat uit Suid-Afrika, waar ons mense veral passievol is oor hulle geloof, en dit is miskien net deur persoonlike interaksie en deurlopende storievertelling dat ons sal bevestig dat die ooreenkomste tussen ons baie groter is as die verskille.

Ek ken die angs en seer wat jy voel en ek weet dit is gelyk aan enige mens sn, maar watookal jou persoonlike situasie op die oomblik:

 

Dit raak beter, veral as jy weet jy is nie alleen nie.

2012
03/01
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It Gets Better

It Gets Better – Mr Gay World 2011 – Francois Nel

2012
03/01
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It Gets Better

What is so noteworthy and wonderful about the It Gets Better campaign is that it is a platform to share the dream and ideology behind so many of the gay activism causes and projects.

 

It exemplifies through real life storytelling the circumstances and issues prevalent in the gay youth of the LGTBI (Lesbian Gay Transgender Bisexual Intersex) community.

The message is shared in a context that gives hope and freedom to those that might be going through situations varying from bullying, internal conflict, confusion or sadness.

In my personal experience I am especially passionate about the message directed at those that might be at an age where their differences feel like an unchanging burden. Qualities and characteristics that is true to them without the ability to choose or change. I know at this age social interaction and acceptance from your family and the world is very important to you, but I want you to know:

It Does Get Better.

A time will come when the hardships that you face now will be replaced with a sense of belonging and freedom.

There has been wonderful progress and celebrations in the last year as we have seen parts of a dream come true with the developments and legalisation of gay marriage in different sectors. The LGTBI community is a unity that strives for equality and they in the least deserve equal human rights.

I speak to you from an African country, South Africa, where our people are especially passionate about their beliefs, and it is perhaps only by personal interaction and continuous storytelling that we will reiterate that the similarities between us are far greater than the differences.

I know that the anguish and hurt that you feel is equal, but whatever your personal situation at the moment:

It Gets Better:

Especially if you know that you are not alone.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o_ffXmQQbA

2012
03/01
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