Can you FEEL it, it is HERE!

So yesterday saw the first game of the first ever FIFA world cup soccer to be held on the African continent!

If there was excitement among fans across the world because they get to see their favourite teams again play in this world class tournament, then you can bet that here in South Arica it was amplified by a million! From the night before when the (first ever) official pre-party was held, you could feel the excitement build up. You could hear the sound of Vuvuzelas blurting out their signature tone from a distance and as the day of the game drew near, so did their sound!

With my own nerves and excitement building up on Friday morning (having to go for an interview at the German Consulate) I could feel a change in the air. The cheerful sound of fans walking the streets (blowing their vuvuz) greeting each other as if they knew each other for years, made me think back to the time of the World Cup Rugby in 1995, and how it had brought our country together. Once again, people had forgotten about what separated us, and focussed on the one thing that not only brought us together, but brought the whole world together on an equal platform, or should I say pitch. Interesting how a sport, where you’d expect fan rivalry and separation, was the one thing that brought people together!

I took a proverbial ‘step back’ and looked at the crowd that had filled up the seats at La Vie (where we ended up watching the Bafana Game). The place was filled with avid soccer fans, as well as people whom had never watch a match in their life (including myself). When that first goal was scored I vividly remember ALL of us jumping up as if we had all just received a jolt of electricity at the same time! The excitement and camaraderie (and vuvu-sounds) that came from that was incredible and I could only ask myself one question…

                                       

WHY CANT EVERY DAY BE A FOOTBALL DAY!

Mr. Gay World 2010 at Your Fingertips!

Mr. Gay World 2010 at Your Fingertips!

Hey ya'll!

It's a while since I updated my blog. The reason being that this past fortnight has been a bit of an adjustment for me. As some of you might know, Patrick and I are in the process of moving to Johannesburg. I have to admit, its both daunting and exciting as it's a new starts in a new city and along with that comes the unknown, but both of us have confidence in knowing that its all going to be OK. 

It's been an interesting time since I have left my old job. I have been trying to focus more on future projects I would like to take on as Mr Gay World. I also attended a March for the two guys from Malawi, Steven and Tiwonge. By now I'm sure you all know who they are and also the end result of their fate. I must admit I was ecstatic when one of my friends, Kevin Moore called me up on Saturday afternoon, telling me he had just heard they were released. Within seconds the news spread like wild fire! At the end of the day, our voices were heard, because we all took a stand and became the voice for people who could not speak for themselves!

 ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Some of my travelling arrangements have changed. Unfortunately I will not be able to make it to NYC Pride this year, but I will be in Berlin from the 17th -20th June! So if you are in the area, come and say hi, or just come and have a good time in Berlin.

Also, check out the ink above for  QTown. its a US magazine that has just released its 6th edition. I'm on the cover and also doing some Q and A, so let me know what you think!

For now, ill say ciao.

C

Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, you are not alone!

Hey there ya'll.

So on 20 May 2010 Steven and Tiwonge will be sentenced on charges which are deemed 'against the order of nature'.

It's shocking to think that this extreme form of homophobia still goes on in the world, but this is the law in Malawi. I'm urging everybody, worldwide to show your support, audibly, visually and in which ever capacity you can to these two men. We need to make our voices heard!

Steven and Tiwonge, my thoughts are with you.

for those of you in Cape Town on the 20th May, there will be a protest held in Barracks Street, in town at 12:00.

till then,

ciao

ITS INTERNATIONAL ANTI-HOMOPHOBIA DAY!!!

Hey there guys and girls!!

So today is International Anti-Homophobia Day!

I have posted a story below (How Crazy Is This) about a scenario that happened a few years ago! It pretty much portrays the ignorance still out there when it comes to Homophobia in our Country and the world.

On that note, I want to thank you guys, RS and Henko for your replies on my last post. RS, I fully agree with you that education is the key. As I said once in a radio interview, Homophobia is a fear. People fear what they don't kno,. so unless they are educated, they will continue to fear. It is up to every one of us to educate our brothers  and sisters. Show them that being gay is NOT a threat to them.
Henko, most certainly it takes time, and as you say, a lot of it! So yea, as Gandhi once said, Be the change that you want to see. Change starts with ME!

On this day, remember our brothers and sisters who might not have it as easy as we do. Those in African Countries and around the world where Homosexuality is still TABOO! Think of them and remember where we come from. I see a future where we are not judged by our Sexuality but by our Character. Most importantly, as a Wise Teacher once said:

 LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF, AND DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE DONE UNTO YOU!

Love to you all!

xCx

HOW CRAZY IS THIS!!!

So on this Anti-Homophobia day, here is a story that I found rather interesting in the news papers today!

A lady from Pretoria (one of our Capital Cities), has instituted a damages claim to the value of R1.5mil against a member of her church. Apparently while attending a birthday social of a friend’s father (aged 74) in 2007, Munnik (the lady) and Mrs De Beer (who lives on the same property as the birthday boy), got into an argument where Mrs De Beer accused Munnik of being an “insult to Christianity” because she was gay, and told her she would go “straight to hell”. Other claims are that Mrs De Beer then kicked Munnik between the legs in an attempt to “convert” Munnik, and proceeded to do so until she lost consciousness!

I just find it funny that it’s a disgrace to be gay and we’ll all go to hell, but its OK for you, Mrs De Beer, a devoted Christian apparently (judging by the extreme measures to ‘convert’ Munnik) to kick another woman between the legs to the point of unconsciousness!

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO SIMPLE PRAYER! 

DID YOU ASK YOURSELF ‘WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?’

THE END

xCx

TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION: DOES CHANGING LAWS REALLY CHANGE MINDSETS?

Hey there ya'll!


Here is an interesting topic. one of my Facebook friends sent me this scenario that he is faced with in his country.
The question i want to ask you guys is this: How does changing laws really affect people? How does it affect you and I, the everyday person on the street. Take a read and give me your thoughts! Enjoy!


I dont know if you are aware of it but here in India we as homosexuals lead a taboo life...
Last year on 2nd july, Homosexuality was decriminalised by the Delhi high court, we celebrated, partied, cherished.
We have gay parties in every major city across the country every week.
We evn have big queer parade every year in every major city again.
Recently Mumbai hosted a very big event. An international queer film festival. Thy hosted nd projected more than 50 movies with varied subject, languages, country..but the same theme of Homosexuality. A big success.
.
But how wuld it change the life for a common individual like me?
For me i still cant hold hands in public. There are individuals brutally burned, subdued, killed for their sexuality.
Here public perceive homosexuals as demons, omen, badluck, embarassment, joke, insult, etc etc.

India is collectively made of Thousands of villages, hundreds of languages, hundreds of religions, divided in caste, creed, sect, status and power. And evn u wont deny that there is an obvious possibility that there are lakhs of my brothers who are still in closet or forced to stay in them for the sake of their lives.
.
How are we planning to reach them through expensive snobbish, arrogant, fake, dirty, sexually dominated meaningless parties??
Or international film festivals where entry is strictly through registration. Who attends them? You know right..higher class of intellectuals, rich social thinkers?
.
.We are sucking in every plan.
And i wonder why nobody wants to think real and out of the box...parties, parades, films, etc thy hav only gay crowd attending it...do we have to target them or the common hetero homophobic or homoillitrate man?

So there you go....whats your thoughts?

Charl

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!!!

So Patrick and I have been back from the Pink Loerie festival in Knysna for two weeks now and i have to congratulate Coenie Kukkuk and his incredible team (as well as the Council of Knysna who make this possible every year) for an amazing Festival! It was my first Pink Loerie and boy did we have a great Time! We barely got there and i went right into interviews with the contestants for the Mt Mardi Gras Competition which was held on the Friday evening at Zanzibar.






The evening went real smooth and i am proud to say that we have our first two entries in the Mr Gay South Africa 2010 Competition. Congrats to the winner of Mr Mardi Gras, Dustin Carr, and also his runner up, Mr Ledgends, Karl Heinz Michel. I look forward to seeing your progress in the Mr Gay South Africa competition. Good luck to both of you!


I also want to thank the organisers, esp John-Louis for the incredible accomodation they arranged for Patrick and I at the Beautiful Alexander Guest House. Situated on the Knysna Heads, this gem offers


incredible views and a peaceful, serene break away from the hustle and bustle! Thanks to Wayne and his awesome staff for making us feel at home, away from home! and by the way, we LOVE the Honeymoon suite......


So this is also my last week at Cafe M and the beginning of a new chapter in my life. In two weeks time ill be heading to Jozi and starting on a few projects that i have had in mind, which include a fundraiser and also an up and coming book!But more on these later!

I'll also be heading to New York City at the end of June for the NYC Pride, so all you guys in USA, ill be seeing you all real soon! Also on the agenda are other trips around Europe, including EuroPride, and especially the Cologne Gay Games which i look forward to!


for those of you in Cape Toen this week, Patrick and i will be having our going away party at the lovely Beefcakes in Green Point, so come on over for a cocktail or two and we can say farewell in true Cape Town style!!!


until then, ciao!