NSW town of Hay to host Mr Gay Pride 2020

Next year’s Mr Gay Pride competition will be held in the New South Wales town of Hay.

The competition finale will be part of the Rainbow on the Plains festival, Gay Nation has reported.

Each year, the finale is hosted by a different LGBTIQ community event, and in 2020 will be heading to the western Riverina town in the state’s south-west.

“We wanted an event where the delegates can get amongst and learn from the local community and not only highlight some of the important issues facing the LGBTI community but be able to give back to the broader region,” said event producer and Mr Gay Pride Australia 2017 David Francis.

“Having previously taken the competition to Melbourne’s Midsumma Carnival and the ChillOut Festival in Daylesford, we wanted to continue the partnerships with amazing grassroots organisations and showcase some of the work people do all around the country, whether in the city or the bush.

“We are delighted Rainbow on the Plains Festival have agreed to include Mr Gay Pride Australia as part of their 2020 offering and look forward to taking a diverse group of delegates into the heart of Australia and to experience this amazing event.”

Prospective contestants for Mr Gay Pride aged 18 and up can enter online.

Mr Gay Pride 2019 Rad Mitic encouraged people in the community to enter.

“Mr Gay Pride Australia gave me a platform to reach more people with my In It Together mental health forums,” he said.

“There’s so many amazing people doing great things for our community. If you are one of them, I highly recommend you apply.”

Finalists will be judged over the three days of the event after taking part in a social media and issues campaign.

Organisers have noted that it is not a beauty pageant, and entrants are not judged on their appearance.

“We are so honoured that Mr Gay Pride Australia has chosen to celebrate in our community,” said Krista Schade, chair of Hay Mardi Gras Inc.

“It is a wonderful reflection on how Rainbow on the Plains has grown and we wish each of the contestants all the best.”

The Rainbow on the Plains Festival will be held in Hay from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March 2020.