The MGE team continues to adjust the course and develop Mr Gay Europe into a competition for the future. There are several changes and alternations to the rules and challenges for 2017.
More power to the people!
Previously the online votes did add points to the delegates’ final score, but it was still not one of the more important challenges. From counting only 5 percent of the final score, the online vote now weighs 20 percent of the total.
“Mr Gay Europe has a lot of fans out there and we want them to be a part of the decision-making. A higher percentage also means that the delegates have to take this part of the competition more seriously, and it is all about getting your voice out there and get the people to vote for you,” says Tore Aasheim, the MGE president.
The online vote opens 17 July and closes 4 August.
Have to prepare a campaign
This year a new challenge is introduced. ‘My Project’ counts for ten percent of the total score. The delegates have to plan a LGBTIQ+ campaign and present it in front of a jury on how they plan to work on the campaign on an pan-European level in the coming year. The delegates are encouraged to implement their campaign locally even if they don’t win the title.
“Mr Gay Europe is what the title-holder makes it to be. Talking is easy, but putting a campaign together and actually make it work is really hard. We want to get an idea of what the delegates want to do in the year to come if they win, and we also believe that this work ahead of the competition helps the delegates to create their own space and opportunities in the community they come from, and it enables them purposefully to work for gay and human rights even if they don’t win the title,” says Tore Aasheim.
60 questions in 60 minutes
Mr Gay Europe is moving away from the typical pageant state of mind and is focusing more on social skills, knowledge and insight. Challenges like ‘Talent’ and ‘Swim Wear’ are dumped, and tests like ‘The Written Test’ are given more focus. This year the delegates have to answer 60 questions in 60 minutes on LGBTQI+ issues, politics, general knowledge etc. Some of the questions will be connected to the host city and the MGE seminars as well.
MGE seminars
This year the delegates will take part in six MGE seminars on anything from how to deal with the media to themes like how to live with HIV/Aids in today’s society, and how to prevent suicide among gay teens. Mr Gay Europe 2016 and two of the judges will also host seminars, and the seminars will in addition be open to the public. It will be possible to sign up for the sessions through mrgayeurope.com, the number of tickets will however be limited.
The seminars will give the delegates knowledge and insight, and at the same time the delegates will be judged on how well they interact and contribute to the sessions.
If you want to know more about the Mr Gay Europe rules or you want to peak into the delegates’ handbook you are welcome to do so at the following links.