Wednesday, June 8, 2011

A CALL TO ACTION!

On Monday, at approximately 6:00 pm Damascus time, Amina Arraf, a Syrian-American blogger who has been covering events in Syria on her blog A Gay Girl in Damascus, was walking with a friend when she was abducted by armed men. 

Amina’s current location is unknown and it is unclear if she is in a jail or being held elsewhere in Damascus. Her family are desperately trying to locate her. Her blog has received a great deal of media coverage in recent months and has drawn a wide following from Syria and across the world. Amina has shown a great deal of courage in her outspoken criticism of the regime and its repression and in addressing the situation of gays in Syria.

Syrian authorities have long been cracking down on journalists and bloggers and have arrested many since protests began in mid-March. Human rights groups say that more than 1,200 people have been killed and at least 10,000 have been detained, included women and children, many of whom report ill-treatment and torture at the hands of security services.

We, the undersigned, call upon the Syrian regime to immediately release Amina. We ask that everyone with influence in this situation increase their efforts to ensure that she is freed quickly and unharmed. 

We ask all human rights organizations both in Syria and internationally to advocate for her release and for the release of all political prisoners and dissidents in the country.

We call on the British government to end its support for repressive regimes and for the use of torture in the region and beyond. We stand in solidarity with the Syrian people and their demands and are opposed to military intervention of any kind.

As Amina wrote in a blog post on the day before her kidnapping: “We want a free and independent Syria and we reject foreign intervention.” In a recent interview with the Guardian, Amina sounded hopeful: “I have to believe that, sooner or later, we will prevail."

Please sign this petition in support of Amina and Syria's detainees.



Updates on Amina's situation will be posted here on her blog:(http://damascusgaygirl.blogspot.com/)

Monday, February 14, 2011

FULL CIRCLE!

So, firstly, I would like to wish you all HAPPY VALENTINES day! so here goes!

I can not believe that exactly a year ago I was in the air heading back from Oslo, Norway, after winning Mr Gay World. Yep, I spent my last Valentines Day eating 'bird food' and getting used to the fact that I had just won an international competition which was weird as I had never won anything else in my life (other than Mr Gay South Africa of course)!

It has been a crazy year, let me tell you! So much has changed, and continue to change but WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! It has only been an HONOUR to serve the global LGBTI community as I have and if I was able to make a differencein ONE person's life, then I achieved my goal! In a month from now, a new bearer to the crown will be in my shoes to represent an ever changing group of people, and looking at the delegates for this year, it seems like it could be a really good competition this year!

So, as part of the last leg of my journey, (it really feels like i have taken part in a year long Amazing Race Show) I will be heading to the Concrete Jungle where dreams are made, THE BIG APPLE, THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS-NEW YORK! I have to say thank you once again to Wilco at Club Travel Honeydew for the awesome flights and accommodation as well as Jarl and his Team in NY. I really can't wait to see you all and see whats happening on your side of the world! Thereafter I'll be heading home for two days and then jet off to the beautiful country of the Philippines for the 2011 Mr Gay World Competition.


Hope you all have a great week ahead and don't be strangers! I'll be posting pictures of my up and coming trip on my blog and also facebook!

Ciao!


Wednesday, February 9, 2011

MR. GAY WORLD 2011: T - 29 days!

I cant believe its been a year already!

A year ago i was crowned Mr Gay World. After a hectic year of travelling, meeting new people and cultures, launching our own HIV campaign and being a spokesperson for the global LGBTI community, the time has finally come to hand over my proverbial crown to my successor, Mr Gay World 2011.

On 13 March 2011, the world will be holding its breath as we announce the new Mr Gay World. Preparations have been done and i have to commend the Manila team for their extraordinary hard work in planning and executing a world wide event!

As the theme says, it will most certainly be an experience of MANILA FLARE! So, if you can be there, GO FOR IT! It will be an experience you will never forget!

Mabuhay!

Friday, January 21, 2011

GayNZ.com Wanna represent NZ at Mr Gay World?!



So the search is on!

With delegate entries now open for My Gay World 2011, to be held in Manila, Philippines in March, entries are streaming in and Australia and New Zeeland is searching for guys who think they have what it takes to be the global ambassador for the LGBTI Community.

If you think you've got it, then simply click on the link above!

We need an Aussie for Mr. Gay World! on SameSame.com.au

                                We need an Aussie for Mr. Gay World! on SameSame.com.au

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Valentines Blues?

So has you all know, Valentines Day is just around the corner and I'm sure you guys (and gals) all have hot dates to spoil on this LOVEly day. But just in case you are one of those who ends up sitting at home or taking his mom out to a lovely dinner (nothing wrong with that boys!), here is something I know will bring a smile on anybodies face on Valentines Day! It a Gay Valentines Ball, complete with guests of Honour and awesome performances, not to mention an exquisite host, The First Lady of Flying Herself, Ms. Cathy Specific!

so if you have nothing else planned, or rather, cancel your plans and be sure to join us at this exclusive event on the 14th Feb 2011! here are the details:



Thursday, January 13, 2011

DNA and LOV Magazines!

Hey there ya'll!

So this week sees the long awaited release of my DNA Magazine interview! Although it took  few months to come into being, its finally here-a whole 8 pages! It features me in some stunning undies from STONEMEN UNDERWEAR. The location, the beautiful Villa Pilazzo, in the heart of  busy Sandton. A thank you to Rob and Marc From Stonemen for the awesome undies and also to Bennie Louw for allowing us to use this incredible venue. Of course it would not have happened if it was not for the photographer, Werner, from NINETEEN86 photography. Here are some of the pics you can see along with the interview in DNA:

www.stonemen.com
www.dnamagazine.co.au
www.villapalazzo.co.za
http://www.nineteen86.co.za






                                                                                                             






On the other side of the world, in Vancouver, Canada, LOV Magazine features on the cover myself, Aaron Ursaki, a finalist in Mr Gay Canada, and Jeremy Black from BAREFOOT WINES in the US. It has to be one of my most memorable experiences during my year as Mr Gay World. To see ice capped mountains from atop one of the worlds best ski destination, as well as the host town for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Whistler once again this year also hosts its annual Winter Pride and is definitely a must do if you plan a Pride of a different kind!

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