Political Rep from Democratic Alliance Wins Mr. Gay South Africa

JOHANNESBURG – Lance Weyer, a political representative for the Democratic Alliance from East London, won the title to Mr. Gay South Africa 2011 in Johannesburg on Saturday night. Weyer is a Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Council member in the Eastern Cape and serves on the Health and Public Safety Standing Committee as well as the Special Programs Strategic Committee.

The 24-year-old was an audience favorite at the Mr. Gay South Africa Grand Finale show at the Lyric, Gold Reef City on Saturday night. During a packed ceremony, Weyer walked away with the Bone Wear Underwear Model prize.

In his finalist profile on the Mr. Gay South Africa website, Weyer said: “Mr. Gay South Africa isn’t just about being a pretty face, it’s also about finding a representative for the community who can help to bring about change. I’d like to be Mr. Gay South Africa 2011 as I’d like to be a role model to South African LGBTI youth.”

The fact that Weyer is a political figure is likely to provide even more visibility to the title and the opportunities it has created to enhance recognition of LGBT people in a country that has a fully accepting constitution, but has yet to fully embrace the LGBT community on a cultural level.

Lance Weyer, Mr. Gay SA 2011

Deputy Mr. Gay South Africa 2011’ went to Alexander Steyn, the runner-up. Steyn is 29-year-old architect, singer, dancer, actor and artist from Johannesburg who says that he is committed to “speak out against hate speech and homophobia”. Casper Bosman, a 28-year-old fashion designer from Bloemfontein, placed third.

Weyer will represent South Africa in the upcoming Mr. Gay World 2012 competition, which will be held in Johannesburg next April.

South African holders have won two consecutive world titles, with Charl van den Berg and Francois Nel, taking first place for 2010 and 2011 respectively.