Australia’s Mr. Gay World Representative to Visit Auckland
Australia’s New Mr. Gay World Representative to Visit Auckland This Weekend for Big Gay Out
He has more
than 40,000 instagram followers, a YouTube channel and works
as a Property Developer, but for David Francis the chance to
fight for what he believes in has led him to be announced as
the Australian representative for the 2017 Mr. Gay World
competition.
This weekend, David will visit
Auckland and share in the spirit of pride at the Ending HIV
Big Gay Out at Coyle Park on Sunday
afternoon.
David’s visit will coincide with the
announcement of the 2017 Mr Gay New Zealand competition
which will be judged and announced on stage at the Big Gay
Out.
For the 29 year old from Sydney, he is aiming
to become the first Australian ever to win the illustrious
Mr Gay World title when the finals are held in Spain during
May.
David Francis is taking on the challenge after
Australia failed to send a representative in 2016. He
believes with his charity work and the influence he has
across social media, he can be a genuine voice for the gay
community in Australia and more broadly around the world.
“The Mr Gay World competition is an
internationally recognised platform that encourages all its
representatives to have their own voice in the LGBTIQA+
community and fight for what they believe in on issues such
as acceptance, equality and respect. I want to be that
voice,” explained David.
“Like most LGBTIQA+
youth, growing up wasn’t easy for me, being bullied about
my sexuality when it wasn’t even something I had thought
about let alone even understood at the time.
“As
a consequence, my self-confidence took a battering where I
found it hard to even believe in myself. But somehow, I was
one of the lucky ones who were able to weather the
storm.”
David works in property development as
well as giving his time as an ambassador and mentor for
StartOut Australia, a mental health promotion non-profit,
developing an online mentoring program that will provide
access to role models for young Diverse Sexuality and Gender
people.
Even though David has battled distress,
hardship and the feeling of hopelessness he firmly believes
you can’t let anything get in the way of the goals you set
for yourself.
“I feel I have a responsibility to
set an example and share my experiences so that young
LGBTIQA+ people know that others have been through similar
situations and made it through
adversity.
“Representing Australia and winning
the Mr Gay World title in 2017 would be such an amazing
opportunity to spread these messages of unity and support to
some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
“It would prove to the teenage version of myself
that you can become somebody you never in your wildest
dreams thought you could become; the person you needed when
you were growing up.
“But most importantly, it
would be a platform from which to inspire, encourage and
empower other young people who might be struggling, to take
control of their lives and believe in themselves to achieve
anything they set their mind to.”
The Mr Gay
World finals will be held in Madrid and Maspalomas from the
5 - 10 May 2017.
For more information on
Australia’s representative David Francis please visit the
website www.mrgayprideaustralia.com.au.