NZ's Andreas Derleth wins Mr Gay World
By GayNZ.com (9/4/2012)
New Zealand’s Andreas Derleth has been crowned Mr Gay World 2012 at the pageant in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Wearing All Blacks gear for his national costume, the 32-year-old Warehouse Stationary manager blasted past the competition.
Mr Gay South Africa won second place, after two years of winning the overall title.
Derleth was chosen to represent New Zealand in a selection process overseen by last year's Mr Gay NZ, Aaron Comis of Christchurch, and sponsored by GayNZ.com. Comis accompanied Derleth to South Africa to back up his bid for the world title.
"I think I cried more than Andy did," Comis tells GayNZ.com Daily News from Johannesburg.
Among Derleth's many prizes, is a $25,000 travel allowance to visit all five continents during his term as Mr Gay World. Derleth also gets a sterling silver cup, a holiday for two back to South Africa, clothes, jewellery and cosmetics, a safari through Namibia and more.
The 32-year-old who goes by ‘Andy’ narrowly beat suave Mr Gay Wellington Marcus Fenson to take out the New Zealand leg of the competition in February, winning an all-expenses paid trip to Johannesburg.
Derleth grew up in Germany but has made New Zealand his home after coming over for a working holiday and falling in love with the country. In his first week here the former altar boy was asked to be a promo model at the Hero Party, and was introduced to Auckland’s gay scene wearing nothing but black and gold underwear.
He’s a keen sportsman and adventurer, as well as a passionate gay rights advocate.
Before the competition he told GayNZ.com he was looking forward to “Meeting people from all over the world and being part of a competition that raises awareness of the GLBT community.
“Sometimes gay life is still stereotyped and having such an amazing event showing role models will add to the acceptance of glbt people.”
Growing up in a small catholic town in Germany where he says being gay was unthinkable, Derleth was petrified when he realised he was.
“It took me way too long to open up to someone because I thought everybody would abandon me,” he recalls.
“Eventually I did and it turned my life around. If you are in the same situation, don’t make the same mistake and be sitting scared in the closet.”
His advice to younger glbt people is that coming out might not seem easy, “but keep in mind your true friends will always be with you, no matter if you love a boy or a girl. Trust me, life’s good!”
Derleth has been with his partner Tom for a “long time” and the couple made it official last year with a civil union.
By GayNZ.com (9/4/2012)
New Zealand’s Andreas Derleth has been crowned Mr Gay World 2012 at the pageant in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Wearing All Blacks gear for his national costume, the 32-year-old Warehouse Stationary manager blasted past the competition.
Mr Gay South Africa won second place, after two years of winning the overall title.
Derleth was chosen to represent New Zealand in a selection process overseen by last year's Mr Gay NZ, Aaron Comis of Christchurch, and sponsored by GayNZ.com. Comis accompanied Derleth to South Africa to back up his bid for the world title.
"I think I cried more than Andy did," Comis tells GayNZ.com Daily News from Johannesburg.
Among Derleth's many prizes, is a $25,000 travel allowance to visit all five continents during his term as Mr Gay World. Derleth also gets a sterling silver cup, a holiday for two back to South Africa, clothes, jewellery and cosmetics, a safari through Namibia and more.
The 32-year-old who goes by ‘Andy’ narrowly beat suave Mr Gay Wellington Marcus Fenson to take out the New Zealand leg of the competition in February, winning an all-expenses paid trip to Johannesburg.
Derleth grew up in Germany but has made New Zealand his home after coming over for a working holiday and falling in love with the country. In his first week here the former altar boy was asked to be a promo model at the Hero Party, and was introduced to Auckland’s gay scene wearing nothing but black and gold underwear.
He’s a keen sportsman and adventurer, as well as a passionate gay rights advocate.
Before the competition he told GayNZ.com he was looking forward to “Meeting people from all over the world and being part of a competition that raises awareness of the GLBT community.
“Sometimes gay life is still stereotyped and having such an amazing event showing role models will add to the acceptance of glbt people.”
Growing up in a small catholic town in Germany where he says being gay was unthinkable, Derleth was petrified when he realised he was.
“It took me way too long to open up to someone because I thought everybody would abandon me,” he recalls.
“Eventually I did and it turned my life around. If you are in the same situation, don’t make the same mistake and be sitting scared in the closet.”
His advice to younger glbt people is that coming out might not seem easy, “but keep in mind your true friends will always be with you, no matter if you love a boy or a girl. Trust me, life’s good!”
Derleth has been with his partner Tom for a “long time” and the couple made it official last year with a civil union.
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