MR GAY WORLD OFFICIALLY BACKS "OUT-Well Being"

http://www.mambaonline.com/article.asp?artid=4851

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUT-15 years and still going strong!

I have to date not come across an organization that is so fully dedicated to helping the LGBTI community, in ALL its facets, needs and concerns, as OUT is. With their involvement in the advocacy of the LGBTI community in the realm of equality in SA, OUT has shown that they truly stand as representatives of the entire community and are a Presence to the general public and an organization which stands firm in its beliefs and serves to protect the rights of its community.

With regards to work on grassroots level, OUT has proven to be a definite forerunner when it comes to research on the Health and Well-being of the LGBTI community with Projects such as their PRISM Project, which is aimed at not only the distribution of prevention methods, but also educational tools such as pamphlets, flyers and open days, while also offering support groups and counselling (both via web-access, telephonic or personal) to members of the public. Along with this they offer comprehensive treatment at their PRISM Lifestyle Centre where services such as HIV Testing, Counselling and General Physical Examinations are conducted by trained and friendly staff.

As Mr Gay South Africa 2009/Mr Gay World 2010, it truly is an Honour to be associated with OUT. As the nature of my work is on a global scale, it is not always easy to touch base on ground level as much as I would like and I am grateful to organizations such as OUT for their ability to reach out to the community in such a great manner.

On behalf of the Mr Gay South Africa and Mr Gay World organizations I would like to congratulate OUT for their incredible service to the LGBTI over the past fifteen years and wish them luck in their future endeavours! Happy Birthday and may the next fifteen years be even more successful than the last!

Charl van den Berg

Visit them at http://www.out.org.za/

SAME SEX PARENTS GAIN VICTORY AT HOME AFFAIRS

We (Desmond & I) finally have our Unabridged Birth Certificates in hand, that reflect both our names. It's been an uphill battle with Home Affairs the past 3 months, but with perseverance and support from family, friends and other parents we got it done.


I have been informed by Home Affairs official that the changes made on the system will be permanent and that the changes will apply to all citizens of South Africa.

Now same-sex parents would be able to register their children without complications.

The unabridged birth certificate will reflect Parent 1 and Parent 2.

Further to the above, new forms are available at all DHA (Department of Home Affairs) offices, we are liaising with Home Affairs to inform us of the documentation numbers, e.g. DHA 24 so that when you do go to DHA you can ask for the forms and get things done right from the start, without having to go back and forth.

Regards
Rudi & Desmond

MR GAY SOUTH AFRICA 2010 TOP 12 FINALISTS

In a Gala event held in Pretoria's Brooklyn Theatre, The Last Regional Final was held for the Mr Gay South Africa 2010 Competition. After months of travelling and organizing the Directors made the Top 12 Finalists know to South Africa yesterday. Here they are South Africa!

 THE FINAL TWELVE ARE (IN ALPABETICAL ORDER):


ANDRé LAMMERS-CAPE TOWN                                                        

                                       











BARRY MEYER-JOHANNESBURG

DUSTIN CARR-JOHANNESBURG

ERNEST M GRAVETT-CAPE TOWN

ERROL STROEBEL-CAPE TOWN                                                                                                        

FRANCOIS NEL-CENTURION

JARED LEE SMIT-PRETORIA

ROSS ERLANK-PRETORIA

TSHEPO CHUENYANE-PRETORIA

SHANNON C REX-PRETORIA

KARL-HEINZ MICHEL-PRETORIA 

PRINCE MKHIZE-DURBAN

All twelve will be at Joburg Pride on 2 October and on the cruise from 15 – 19 November on the MSN Sinfonia to Mozambique. 

THE CRITERIA FOR THE WINNER:
The directors have stated again that the criteria of Mr. Gay World (http://www.worldwidemrgay.com/) , to which Mr. Gay South Africa is licensed and must adhere, are as follows:

1. The primary purpose of Mr. Gay World is to identify leaders who will take responsibility of being a spokesperson not only in his own community but on a global stage speaking out for equal and human rights. WMG is a positive role model and will work on humanizing being gay in the media both queer and mainstream.
2. Regional producers are responsible for selecting which delegates will represent their region as the best possible spokesperson for local culture, ideas and equal and human right challenges.
3. The Competition includes athletic tests and extensive interviews with our panel of judges. Judging points are based on a diverse set of criteria including qualities in charisma, leadership, personality, appearance and communication.

The SMS competition, which counts for 25% of the marks, and where the community chooses their favourites, will be launched in the next few days.

Barry Vorster, one of the directors said: “This leg is extremely important as the community will get to have their say and makes out such a huge part of the score that it could determine the ultimate winner. The results of the vote will be made known by the SMS provider at the GRAND FINALE in a transparent and open manner.”

Profiles with the background and photos of each finalist will be posted on the website (http://www.mrgaysouthafrica.co.za/) in the next week.