DANIEL Lazarus (20) was announced as the new Mr Gay Namibia 2022 at the NamPower Convention Centre in Windhoek on Saturday evening.
Ten participants battled it out for the title, with Oeloff Henning and Chaulken McNab announced as the first and second runners-up.
The previous winner, 26-year-old Jason-Lee Mckay, handed over the title. He said although his reign is over, he would still work hard to help develop the industry.
The judges were Linda Baumann, Jholerina Timbo, Rumano Fabrishh, Ivy Hailombe and Hilary Wang, while performing acts included well-known performer Gigi Has Arrived, Kamati Son, and multi-disciplinary award-winning artist Micheal Pulse and DJ Fox The Drummer Boy.
As part of his prize, Lazarus walked away with gifts valued at N$30 000, as well as accommodation and flights to compete in Mr Gay World in Cape Town, South Africa, from 9 to 16 October.
Mr Gay Namibia is a registered non-profit organisation that focuses on LGBTQI+ rights in Namibia. The winner of the pageant will be a spokesperson for the LGBTQI+ community, both at home and abroad. Mr Gay Namibia will serve as a visible role model for the gay community and engage in community activities with the purpose of advancing an inclusive human rights agenda in Namibia.
In response to a challenging question from judge Hailombe, Lazarus said if given the platform to raise concerns to the United Nations, he would focus on the issue of legalising same-sex marriage in Namibia.
“I feel that we, as homosexual people, also have the right to be loved and love who we want. I believe we also deserve to marry who we want, whether it’s a man or woman. I don’t want our people to continue flying to other countries to get married. I want our people to have their weddings in their home country. On their special day, their friends and relatives must be there. I will fight for that,” Lazarus said.
Speaking to The Namibian after his win, Lazarus said this is his second pageant win, after previously participating in the Mr Earth pageant, where he placed in the top five.
He said he entered Mr Gay Namibia because he wants to make a difference in the community. He’d also like to urge LGBTQI+ organisations to help members of the community in more practical ways.
“They are not doing what they must. This is something I have personally experienced. When I came out and told my family that I was gay, I was kicked out of the house and had nowhere to go. I went to these organisations, but got no help. They did nothing. “I was homeless. My life at that stage was upside down. That was a time in my life that I had to beg people for money and food. I feel that they should have helped to keep me safe and should have protected me, but they did not,” Lazarus said.
Director of Mr Gay Namibia Wendelinus Hamutenya-Jeremia said he was pleased to host the contest and though the selection of the winner has never been a easy task, he is confident that the new Mr Gay Namibia will continue in the tradition set before him, as a symbol of pride, excellence and progress through determination.
He said Lazarus will be challenged by bridging the gap of understanding in modern society, and pointed out that Namibia is rich in gay men and women with intelligence, talent, strong work ethic, morals, as well as the spirit to succeed and the need to be heard and recognised.
“Homosexuals are persons who certainly deserve respect, dignity and care. There are still people who would deny you that, which is painful and heartbreaking.
“It is disheartening for the LGBTQI+ community to continue experiencing hate speech and dehumanising utterances that amplify homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in the country.”
Grab The Weekender this Friday to learn more about Lazarus.
