Who's cheering for our Gay Beauty Kings?

The top three contenders for the Mr Gay World India 2017 title were announced last week, two from Mumbai – Rohan Pujari and Darshan Mandhana, and Saiganesh Krishnamoorthy from Bengaluru. "This is the first time we have a contender from Bengaluru. In fact, this year, there was beautiful representation from the South in the registration entries," says Sushant Divgikar, National Producer of Mr Gay World India (MGWI). The winner, who will be announced on February 10, will represent India at the international Mr Gay World in Madrid in May this year. He will compete against participants from over 30 countries.

Mr Gay World India first drew attention when Nolan Lewis from Mumbai became one of the top ten finalists of Mr Gay World 2013. In 2014, Divgikar represented India in Rome, Italy, and not only made it to the top 10, but also broke records by winning the maximum number of sub-titles in a gay pageant — Mr Gay Congeniality, My Gay People's Choice, and Mr Gay Art. Last year, Anwesh Kumar Sahoo, became the first contender from Delhi to represent India. "He was 19 and the youngest participant at the world pageant that year," recalls Divgikar.

Like other beauty pageants, the contenders and winners find a whole range of avenues open after the pageant. They could get signed by an international brand as cosmetic giants such as Maybelline, Cover Girl and MAC sign on gay, trans and inter-sex models for their campaigns. Sahoo has since spoken at TEDx four times. Sushant is a model, actor and columnist himself.

Besides the career options, pageant contenders and winners become role models for the LGBTQIA+ community. Igor Scheurkogel, Asia Director, Mr Gay World who is responsible for Africa, Asia and Oceania says, "It gives them the opportunity to grab the media and community's attention more effectively."

Several rounds in these contests focus on the contender's public speaking abilities and knowledge of social work, the community and its issues. In Taiwan and Australia, the pageant winners are currently pushing the issue of same-sex marriage. "The current Mr Gay Australia has been actively involved to show that being gay does not make us different. Everyone talks about Taiwan being open but most gay people are still in the closet because they fear rejection from their families or work place," says Scheurkogel and adds, "While there hasn't been a winner from Asia yet, only runners up, winning the title gives him an international platform to tell the world what is happening in his country."

"We've consistently made it to the top ten," says Divgikar, "beating countries such as Canada, America, South Africa and New Zealand. Some of these countries have laws and provisions for LGBTQIA+ in place. We have beaten them regardless of having section 377, and being oppressed in our country. We're being open and taking that leap to represent our country. It's a big deal."

Where's the money

The organisers' grouse is that these contests and their winners do not get the same support — whether infrastructural, in the media or through sponsorship. Unlike Miss Indias, there is no parade, endorsement deal or Bollywood offers for the homecoming gay king.

But a lack of conversation is not Divgikar's only grouse. Brands with double standards are. "I have approached several brands for collaborations and offered them title sponsorships," he says. "But nobody comes forward to help. These are the same brands and companies that advocate an 'inclusive and diversity' program. They don't show support with sponsorships because they don't want to be associated with the pageant. They will probably write off a cheque of Rs 10,000 but don't want their name mentioned."

Inclusive venues are another requirement for smooth functioning of the pageant. Hotels and grounds don't want banners announcing that a queer contest is being held, afraid it will drive away customers or label them as a 'gay' joint.

"In terms of venues, we have two very strong supporters in Sagar Kadam who owns Corniche in Bandra, Mumbai where several of the sub-rounds take place; and Christina Bharwani, who owns Sky Cafe in Fort (Mumbai) which is also the venue for our final panel this year," say Divgikar.

Funds are also lacking to groom and send contestants to international pageants. "There are many things that you need to work on," says Sahoo, who represented India in Malta. "You have to take care of your skin, nutrition, food, body, clothes. Sushant trained me in diction, carriage and gym, and helped me look for a designer for my national costume." Compare this to the army of diction and etiquette coaches, fitness and diet guru, beauty experts and former winners who help 'straight' beauty queens and kings represent India.

The core committee at MGWI uses either personal funds, crowd-sourced monies, or donations from friends and supporters. Former beauty queen Celina Jaitley sponsored Sahoo's ticket to the world pageant last year. The other costs were incurred by Sahoo's father.

Straight support

"This year, 90 per cent of funds have come from straight people. We need more straight allies," says Divgikar. "Right from the panels for selection rounds and interviews, to experts to train contenders are an inclusive mix of straight and queer people. It would be so nice to have a permanent set of professionals to train these boys. I'm trying to make sure that none of the Mr Gay India title holders fail to represent the country at the world pageant just because the country was forced to withdraw because it couldn't afford the license fee."

Then there was the withdrawal of 2015. "At that point, there was no national producer," says 26-year-old Divgikar. "Nolan Lewis had stepped down and I wasn't appointed yet. This guy directly emailed the world organisation with his application. As the pageant drew closer, he started getting death threats and withdrew his application." The incident prompted Divgikar to speak to the world organisation. "It made our country look bad. Yes, we are regressive but we are not as bad as some other countries," he says.

The need of the hour for Mr Gay World India, apart from funds and more support, is to bring the title's pride at par with other pageants in the country. "If my boys can be welcomed the way Aishwarya and Sushmita were after winning the title, I would die happy!" concludes Divgikar.