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Hamburger Mary's Hosts the Initial First-round Competition

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Chicago, IL — The competition heats up this spring as gay men all over the Chicago and the great Midwest practice their million-dollar smiles and work on their world peace speeches all in an attempt to be named Mr. Gay Chicago 2008.

Preliminary competitions begin on May 18th at Mary's Attic in Andersonville and conclude with the final competition and pageant will take place August 15th when Mr. Gay Chicago will be crowned at Circuit Nightclub. The complete venue listing at press time follows this story.

Judging will be conducted in the following categories: Day Wear, Question and Answer, Beach Wear and Talent. Judges will include the live audience and a committee of pre-selected celebrity panelists. The winner will compete alongside men from other U.S. cities to become the delegate to the International Mr. Gay Competition.

"The Midwest has a vibrant gay community that is evident in our many festivals and celebrations," says producer Erik Sosa. "Mr. Gay Chicago looks to showcase the individual talents of our competitors."

The competition was created to help raise the visibility of non-stereotypical gay men by producing an entertaining and fun contest that humanize gays in the media by providing alternative images for the press that represent more diversity in gay culture.

Potential contestants must be 18 years of age by the date of the competition and self-identify as a gay or bi-sexual male. For further information or to register, visit www.mrgaychicago.com.

Mr. Mary's - Mary's Attic at Hamburger Mary's on May 18th
Mr. Roscoe's - Roscoe's on June 6th
Mr. Hydrate - Hydrate Chicago on June 14th
Mr. Spin - Spin Nightclub on June 15th
Mr. Crew - Crew Bar & Grill on July 13th

Pictured: Nathan Shaked, International Mr. Gay 2007
Courtesy, http://www.MrGayCompetition.com

About the US Competition

Certification Committee Chair and Associate Producer, John Michael Beck, said that "Producers from 20 US cities will be sending Finalists to compete in this year's Mr. Gay Competition. We are in the process of licensing additional cities, and as of this week we have already signed New York City, Sacramento, Denver, Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Kansas City, Houston, Palm Springs, Chicago, Anchorage, Providence (RI), Boston, San Diego, Baton Rouge, Columbus, Honolulu and Phoenix. Exciting competitive events are planned for both the three day event to test their intelligence, team building talents and character."

During the Competition, a panel of celebrity judges will conduct individual interviews with each of the contestants. The event's tag line is ‘gay is not a stereotype' and the judges will be searching beyond looks for someone who is genuine and can be a successful role model for the non-stereotypical gay man. These same judges will be seated for the Grand Finale stage show on Saturday night at the Music Box when the audience will observe them asking each Finalist their on-stage questions. The Grand Finale ends with the popular swimwear presentation.

Photos of Finalists including photos of the current US Mr. Gay, Grant Ermis from Sacramento and the 2007 International Mr. Gay, Nathan Shaked from Israel, City Contest schedules and last-minute Competition updates are posted online now at http://www.MrGayCompetition.com.

About International Mr. Gay

After two years in Palm Springs, the US Mr. Gay Competition has been moved to Los Angeles, California, for 2007. The three day ‘Survivor-type' contest is set for the October 25 - 28, 2007, and will feature twenty US Finalists competing for the titles of US Mr. Gay, Mr. Gay Fitness and Mr. Gay Congeniality. These 20 Finalists will have won contests in their home city before traveling to LA to complete.

The Grand Finale will be topped off with an exciting stage show at the Music Box at the Henry Fonda Theater on Saturday night, October 27th. The Finalists begin their three days with Judge's Interviews and an outdoor test of their leadership and intellectual skills conducted by leading expedition guides. There will also be rehearsals, photo shoots and fund raising events to round out the weekend.

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