What made you enter Mr Gay Britain 2024?
I entered Mr Gay Great Britain as a platform to raise awareness, destigmatise and signpost toward support for mental health related experience. I've had a 10-year journey in trying understanding my own and being comfortable enough in my own skin to admit "it's okay to not be ok".
Minds, hormones, bodies and people all work very differently and just because some experience mental health related issues doesn't mean they're any less of a person, should be treated as fragile or avoided and sadly this happens. We're aware of it but so few know how to interact with it. This moment was an opportunity for me to take off a mask, be authentic, and champion mental health.
Now you have won what do you plan to do with the title?
Extend my reach of mental health awareness and wellbeing. Continue working with Pride Action North to support their programmes in youth mental health services. I made a fitness programme called Homotiv8 during the competition as a fundraiser, but now I want to consolidate it as Newcastle's first and only fitness programme and safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Continue developing my own company projects in arts and mental health. Try new things that I have touched upon in the past like hosting events, podcasting, interviewing. Things I'm told I'm good at but haven't pursued. I'm taking it in my stride though, I am pretty exhausted after 4 months of constant work so when I'm ready to fire those shots I'll do it with commitment and energy.
What did you have to do to win Mr Gay Britain?
There were 7 rounds to the competition. Charity fundraiser, LGBTQIA+ Exam, congeniality, audience vote (online & on the day) national runway, beachwear runway and formal runway. I won 5/7 rounds. 1) The charity round I worked relentlessly for 4 months I: planned, marketed and ran events; ran fitness classes and programmes,; did challenges on and live streamed them and sold merchandise. 2) Exam which was a combination of history, geography, UK and global politics and queer culture. 3) congeniality is where the other competitors chose who'd they like to win if it was not themselves. In the style of reality tv show The Bachelor you are handed a rose by fellow competitors. 4) Beachwear runway, I did a take on Poseidon a crown and neck accessory made out of gold shells a trident, knee high gladiator sandals and my swimwear garment was embossed with green mental health awareness ribbons. I wanted to represent my campaign and my work in arts and mental health. I really liked the concept of integrating that with this runway and referencing turbulent nature and elements of the sea with a mental health journey. 5) Formal runway. Inspired by Judy Garland my designer made a masc Dorothy tuxedo, complete with Ruby slippers, trousers shorts sock suspenders a tux shirt with gingham ruffles and cuffs and the jacket on the back read 'surrender Dorothy' which was rhinestoned with a pair of Ruby slippers emblazoned on the back too. I have long hair so could do Dorothy's hair style too. I carried a basket that had confetti in the colours of the transgender pride flag. This look paid homage to Judy's legacy as she was buried the night before the stonewall riots of 28 June 1969. The riots were instigated by the transgender community and lesbian women who are underrepresented massively in our community.
If there was someone out there thinking about entering Mr Gay Britian next year, what advice would you give them?
Make genuine connections and relationships. The charities are so grateful for the fundraising you're doing for them and are there for help and support along the way. They believe in what they're doing it's important to know what it is they're doing or this round seems empty. People can tell when your efforts and disingenuous. If you find yourself a bit lost reach out the guys who have been through it before are incredibly generous and helpful. Saying this I made great friends with the guys in my year and also in the MX Drag category. I'm lucky that the drag performers were all very local to me, some helped me out at lot and showed me a lot of love. I know we will stay in touch, with those I bonded with, we do still now, we send messages and laugh all the time, your competitors don't have to be your adversaries, it's just a competition. Wins come in varying different guises and a big one of mine was making brilliant new friends. Don't give everything you're doing away, it's a competition. Be prepared to lose your entire summer if you want to do well. You cannot half apply yourself to this. It's your journey make sure you represent yourself and what's important to you. I don't regret anything from how I conducted myself.
What is your main job?
I don't have a main job title. I'm a freelancer in the arts. I've been a performer in Dance theatre for 17 years.
Artistic Director Society of Strays
Choreographer
Dramaturg
Apprentice mentor
Dance engagement artist
Rehearsal director
Guest lecturer
PT
How do you like to relax?
Ha what is that? The only thing that can slow me like down and forced me to relax is bodywork and massage or a workout which is the opposite of relaxing but the aftermath brings the slump lol. Otherwise, it'll be watching something directed by Yorgos Lanthimos or fantasy I'm a massive nerd for absurdism, G.O.T, House of the dragon, Wheel of Time, Rings of Power. I read a lot of high fantasy too.