Kanan Taghiyev to represent Azerbaijan at Mr Gay Europe 2012 (No longer! - post updated)

UPDATE 9 June 2012: As per update I received from the office of Mr Gay Europe, due to "unforeseen circumstances", Azerbaijan has had to pull out of the Mr Gay Europe:

"I would just like to inform you that for unforeseen circumstances Azerbaijan has had to pull out of the Mr. Gay Europe Competition. This saddens us greatly as it would have been great to have a representative from this part of the world do a great job for gay rights. I wish him all the best in all his future endeavours."

I may only speculate that "unforeseen circumstances" mean this guy came under pressure from certain circles in Azerbaijan to pull out of the competition, as soon as news of his participation became public. [I posted the info on my blog 2 days ago as soon as Mr Gay Europe made initial delegates' info public] Sad to know, indeed...
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For the second time in a brief history of this contest, Azerbaijan will be represented at Mr Gay Europe.

Kanan Taghiyev will represent Azerbaijan at Mr Gay Europe 2012 to be held in Italy in August.

Name: Kanan Taghiyev 
Representing Azerbaijan
Age: 21
Height: 173 cm
Zodiac: Leo
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
City: Baku
Occupation: Study social and cultural service and tourism
Hobbies: Relaxing

Neither Armenia nor Georgia participated in the Mr Gay Europe. Initial intentions and announcement on possible Armenia participation from 2008 were scrapped due to lack of sponsorship. In 2007, Azerbaijan was represented by Sadikh Ragimov, 19 yrs old, from Baku. Interestingly, over the last two years Russia's entrants to the Mr Gay Europe were Ramin Ismailov of Azeri origin (in 2010/11) and David Baramija of Georgian origin (in 2009).


*picture - via Mr Gay Europe

"Sexual Synthesis": First gay-themed theatre play in Tbilisi, Georgia

Just came across this report by Russia Today. I wish I could find video excerpts from the performance too. If you are aware of any video material re this theatre play, please, let me know.
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*via Russia Today

Gays taking center stage in Georgia

(published 12 January, 2010; edited 11 June, 2010)

The first-ever performance centering on homosexual relationships has been staged in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, despite negative reaction from the authorities.

According to the Georgia Online website, the main character of the controversial performance entitled “Sexual Synthesis” is a famous Georgian actor who is gay.

The performance was brought together by local stage director Shota Pirtskhaishvili who was quoted as saying a number of theatres across the country refused to host the production.

In the end, the premiere of the performance on the unorthodox topic – which is reluctantly and rarely discussed in Georgia – took place at the tiny “Art Face” theater, which measures ten meters.

“And even in this case there were several attempts to foil the premiere of the performance. A group of people tore off a banner and several playbills in front of the theater. This only proves again the intolerance to liberal discussion of such topics,” Pirtskhaishvili told Georgia Online.

Meanwhile, Georgia is the motherland of the “Most Handsome Gay Man of Europe” David Baramia.

The Georgian refugee won the coveted title at a beauty pageant in Oslo last summer after which the Gay-Caucuses website proclaimed him “Georgian of the year.” [Unzipped: Gay Armenia - see here too]

Azeri Ramin Ismailov will represent Russia in Mr Gay Europe 2010

Ramin Ismailov, 20 yrs old, is a psychology student from Moscow and will be representing Russia in Mr. Gay Europe 2010 to be held in Geneva 19-24 October 2010. He is (almost certainly) ethnic Azerbaijani. I say “almost”, as his name/surname is common and popular in Azerbaijan, however, I was unable to find a confirmation of his ethnicity on the net. There is slight possibility that he could be from one of the northern Caucasian republics in Russia too.

An Azeri friend of mine said “yes” in response to my question re Ramin’s ethnicity: “true, looks like an Azeri - I would even say, definitely yes. The name Ramin Ismayilov or Ismailov is definitely Azeri - but can also be Daghestani or other North Caucasian.”

Ramin likes “singing, playing piano, dancing, meeting friends, and swimming in the rivers and lakes of Switzerland”. Reportedly, he won a modeling contest and appeared in popular Russian gay magazine “Kvir”. Says Ramin: "I want to win Mr. Gay Europe for the gay men in Russia".

Funnily enough, last year Russia was represented by David Baramija of Georgian origin.

Now if Armenian gay man represents Russia next year, that will be a hilarious development :)

Neither Armenia nor Georgia participated in the Mr Gay Europe. Initial intentions and announcement on possible Armenia participation from 2008 were scrapped due to lack of sponsorship. In 2007, Azerbaijan was represented by Sadikh Ragimov, 19 yrs old, from Baku.

*pictures - via Mr Gay Europe; photo of Ramin Ismailov - by Slava Galkin.

Palestine to be represented at Mr Gay Europe 2009

Looking at the list of so far announced Mr Gay Europe 2009 participants, this guy caught my attention as he will represent Palestine at this year's contest. [Update 19 September 2010: Name, photo and personal info are deleted due to security reasons.]

"I would like to represent Palestine because I have lived long time hiding that I am gay. I am trying to break the psychological and cultural barriers."

Despite some initial hints, no indication that anyone from Armenia, or South Caucasus, will participate. The first and the only South Caucasus participation at the contest so far came from Sadikh Ragimov who represented Azerbaijan in 2007.

Mr Gay Europe 2009 will take place in Oslo, Norway, 19-23 August.

Antonio (Spain) is Mr Gay Europe 2008!

Budapest: It was Antonio Pedro Almijes (19) from Spain who Saturday evening took home the crown of Mr. Gay Europe 2008. “Winning Mr. Gay Europe is a bit overwhelming, but I am excited and I look forward to do my best in supporting not only my home community, but hopefully I can help other young guys in Europe and making them feel that it is okay to come out of the closet and be gay!” (source)

Mr. Gay Europe was forced to move venues to secret locations due to anticipated clashes between the Hungarian police, right-wing extremists and gays celebrating Budapest Pride this Saturday .

Unfortunately, due to financial reasons, Armenia was not able to participate in this year's contest, for the first time ever, as previously announced.

*photo - via Mr Gay Europe

Armenia in the Mr Gay Europe 2008!

This year for the first time Armenia intends to take part in the Mr. Gay Europe. PINK Armenia is the official representative who will organise Mr. Gay Armenia every year and the winner will participate in the European contest. Due to 'sensitivity', time constraints and organisational issues, this year Armenian representative will be chosen internally by PINK Armenia. However, from next year they promise organising more formal selection process, perhaps in a form of Mr Gay Armenia contest.

I am aware that there are already couple of contenders from whom to choose our representative in the Mr Gay Europe 2008. Others can still apply.

"Mr. Gay Europe celebrates the gay European man and pays tribute to the diversity as well as what we have in common as gay men in Europe."  Gay men all over Europe are invited to take part in this festivity in Budapest. This year's theme is "Unity – Solidarity -Diversity."

Here is the invitation:

Welcome to Mr. Gay Europe  July 2-6, 2008 in Budapest, "The Pearl of the Danube"!
The Mr. Gay Europe Organization hereby invites you to enter your Armenian Delegate in the Mr. Gay Europe Competition. We are happy to invite you to wonderful and exciting Budapest who has taken upon themselves hosting Mr. Gay Europe in 2008! This year's theme is to be Unity through Solidarity, focusing on the gay men's situation in the eastern part of Europe.

Read more about the rules and regulations and the Delegates at
www.mrgayeurope.com

However, at the moment PINK Armenia does not have funds to pay for travel expenses (flight + visa).  Mr. Gay Europe will cover all the expenses in Budapest only, except flight + visa. This will cost approximately 700 euro. Sponsor who will help in covering these costs will be able to display its advertisement link on Mr. Gay Europe's website for about one month and on PINK's page for about 2 months (if sponsor wants). PINK Armenia will provide sponsor with the receipts of all expenses paid. Please, if you are able to help, contact PINK Armenia, or alternatively you may  email me and I'll forward your message to them.

As I mentioned before, I do not normally pay much attention to Mr/Miss contests, straight or gay. However, participation in the Mr Gay Europe contest is much more. Last year, for the first time a representative from the South Caucasus participated in the Mr Gay Europe 2007 contest. It was a participant from Azerbaijan Sadikh Ragimov, 19, Baku. I mentioned back then that "He did not win any prize, but the only fact of participation is worth mentioning in this case. It is not Western Europe for you, it's South Caucasus country (predominantly Muslim) we are talking about, where homophobia is very high."

I really hope that Armenia will be able to participate in the Mr Gay Europe 2008 contest. It will feel very liberating for me, and I am sure for many others.

Azeri contestant in the Mr Gay Europe 2007

To be honest, I am pretty much indifferent to all those Mr/Miss beauty contests, straight or gay. Well, at times it could be fun, but I'd rather watch Little Miss Sunshine instead (highly recommend it!). That's the reason that I did not follow Mr Gay Europe contest, and did not know or care who won it.

However, looking for completely irrelevant things, I came across Mr Gay Europe website and did not regret it. WOW, there was a participant from Azerbaijan in the Mr Gay Europe 2007 contest which took place in August in Budapest. He did not win any prize, but the only fact of participation is worth mentioning in this case. It is not Western Europe for you, it's South Caucasus country (predominantly Muslim) we are talking about, where homophobia is very high.

"I am proud to be able to represent Azerbaijan in the Mr. Gay Europe competition," says Sadikh Ragimov, 19, from Baku.

Azerbaijan
Sadikh Ragimov
Age: 19
Height: 169
City: Baku
Occupation: Student - School of business administration/New Port International University Film Directory/Plato Movie School
Hobbies: Cinema, Comics, Cooking, Drawing/Painting, GLBT activist, Music, Photography, Reading/Writing, Traveling.
Zodiac: Sagittarius

*source of picture and self-info on Sadikh Ragimov - Mr Gay Europe website

I looked at the history of this relatively new contest (was hosted for the first time in 2005) and got confirmation that he was the first delegate not only from Azerbaijan but also from South Caucasus to participate in the Mr Gay Europe contest. Believe me, for whatever reason he decided to participate, it was pretty big thing to do. Well done, Sadikh!

For all those who doubt that participation in the Mr Gay contests could be dangerous for life, here is example from EU member Poland related to Mr Gay Europe 2007 Polish contestant (based on news provided by the Mr Gay Europe):

"Even if only 21 proud men was on stage, the presenter referred to 22 men; the Polish Delegate was just before leaving for Budapest attacked and beaten severely in Warsaw, and was not able to take part in the finals. The Polish Delegate was however on the minds of the other 21 and was therefore mentioned as one of the group." I just hope that with the newly elected government things will change for better in Poland.

Anyway, for all those interested, Mr Gay Europe 2008 will take place again in Budapest, July 2-6.