Darren Bruce: Mr. Gay Canada 2008-2009
The first nationwide search for Mr. Gay Canada took place September 18-21st, 2008 in Vancouver and Whistler, province of British Columbia, Canada. Hosted
mostly in the idyllic mountain resort of Whistler the primary purpose
of the Mr. Gay Canada (MGC) is to identify leaders who will take
responsibility not only in his own community but also on a global stage
speaking out for equal rights. Mr. Gay Canada is a positive role model
and will work on humanizing being gay and act as an LGBT Tourism
Ambassador for Canada.
The
3-day, indoor/outdoor competition brought together an exceptional group
of young men that performed a series of events to help the judges
identify a strong spokesman ambassador to tell the world about the
mission.
On Saturday, September 20th,
the winner was chosen. North Vancouver’s Darren Bruce was the final
delegate standing to accept the symbolic “crown” through a vest baring
the logo of Mr Gay Canada. “Besides feeling loved and challenged, it
was one of the first times I felt understood,” said Darren Bruce, “I
wanted to call my boyfriend and my parents right away.” After
experiencing such an amazing weekend of the best BC has to offer,
Darren’s favourite moments included “sobering champagne, winning the
canoe challenge and the emotionally cathartic farewell.” As the title
holder of Mr Gay Canada, Darren will present our country in the
upcoming International Mr Gay event as well as be the face of various
public service announcements, speak at events and work towards the
mission of the project. The recent University of British Columbia
Engineering graduate has some goals of his own that include lobbying
politicians, GLBT education for youth and of course becoming
International Mr Gay.
In other MGC news, fellow judge and hot Vancouver uber-socialite Jamie Lee Hamilton posted the following comment on her blog about yours truly:
MR GAY CANADA CONTEST
I had a great time last
night judging the Mr Gay Canada contest. The contestants are
exceptional young men, smart, witty and articulate. They all displayed
terrific personalities and I was truly honoured being asked by the
co-owners of the Mr Gay Canada pageant, Dean Nelson and Terry Costa to judge the men.
Other amazing judges included the very handsome reporter, Sean Horlor, from XtraWest and the Diva songstress, the fabulous Kim Kuzma, who performed at the end of the night with the handsome contestants.
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I loves me that Jamie Lee! Ughn!