User:GeorgeKRey/sandbox

please update replace Controversy

The Mr. Gay World organization has been accused of bullying contestants, making threats and failing to provide support for human rights discussions on at least two documented occasions.

In 2014, contestants from Australia and New Zealand pulled out, along with a skincare sponsor, citing bullying, poor living conditions and inappropriate sexual suggestions.[6]

The 2015 winner, Klaus Burkart, who had Mr. Gay World CEO Dieter Sapper as his sponsor, stepped down mysteriously to be replaced by Mr. Gay Hong Kong, citing "personal changes". Sapper said an internal investigation had taken place into accusations that the organization had faked and manipulated scores, but no reports were made to media.

Since wrapping up the 2016 run, the competition has seen more negative feedback. The controversy hit the media when Daily Xtra spoke to contestants. The news source verified messages that appeared to show president Eric Butter calling the Maltese people "scum", and Sapper promising one contestant a top 3 finish before the competition in Malta, but changing his tone when he received complaints about the lack of information coming from the organization in the days leading up to the events.

Despite Daily Xtra's assertion the documents were verified, Butter denied them and accused Xtra and the corroborating contestants of a smear campaign.[7]

with

Controversy

The competition has not been without controversy. In 2012 Mr Zimbabwe, Taurai Zhanje, pulled out due to family pressure.

Soon afterwards, Mr Namibia, Wendelinus Hamutenya, withdrew after he was injured in an alleged homophobic attack in Windhoek.

In the same year Mr Ethiopia, Robel Hailu, was disowned by his father, who told him he brought shame to his family and should kill himself.

This year Mr India, model Thahir Mohammed Sayyed, pulled out of the competition after receiving threats to himself and his family.

The founder and president of the pageant, Eric Butter, said: "We created this event to combat homophobia, but for a delegate and his family to go through such harassment is unacceptable and we have to be sympathetic with him."

Knysna Tourism CEO Greg Vogt said the town was proud to be one of the few that had "opened their doors to pink money".

The competition is aligned with the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festival, which has been held in Knysna for the past 14 years.

This is the second time the competition has been held in South Africa. South Africans have won twice.

Please remove Tore Aasheim (Norway)as a founding member as he never was a founding member.

thank you.