FEATURE: Mr Gay World

LOUW BREYTENBACH

MR GAY WORLD 2021

In an Instagram post after clinching the Mr Gay World title, Louw Breytenbach said, “Wow, I am so blessed and thankful to every person who made this possible!!” Breytenbach, who is a presenter on VIA’s Drama Mammas, an entrepreneur, TV host and actor won the coveted tile in an online event on 30 October, which was screened worldwide via You Tube.

He is the third South African to win the title, adding in his post, “The crown is in Africa for the first time in a decade.” Joel Rey Carcasona from the Philippines was the first runner-up and Joshuan Aponte from Puerto Rico was the second runner-up.

Louw is from Boksburg, near Johannesburg, where he established the LALT House of Growth, a drama school that specialises in talent development in 2012. He is also the director of the National Arts Association of South Africa.

During the crowning ceremony he highlighted issues close to his heart in respect of the LGBTI+ community especially the spike in LGBTQI+ hate murders saying “let’s make sure this pageant is about more than just a hashtag.”

“And if you tonight don’t even know what the letters in LGBTIQA+ stand for, then you are part of the problem,” he passionately announced. ”

Having suffered with mental health issue himself he posted, “One of the most special moments of my life... The announcement of becoming Mr Gay World SA 2021 @mrgwsa is not only an honour but a commitment and promise to the entire LGBTIQ+ Community that we will not have another cover boy who doesn’t address the issues in the community. We are here to drive change and open dialogue on Mental Health, Equality

and injustices facing our community.”

He encouraged people to pursue their dreams, “12 years ago I tried to commit suicide a third time.. Two., 5 years ago I was in a life altering car accident which was highly publicised and landed me in a mental health facility.

Then I made the papers for my weight struggles and closing businesses in lockdown and so many were shocked that a year ago I cleaned houses to make ends meet and keep my staff employed. A cancer scare, and plenty breakdowns later..... We got here NEVER STOP TRYING. NEVER STOP FIGHTING. NEVER STOP BELIEVING. Your future self depends on you getting through today’s struggle. You are so worthy”, he said.

“Let’s make sure this pageant is about more than hust a hashtag”

For first time, Mr Gay World 2021 will reign consecutively with Mr Gay World 2020, Kodie Macavan from the Philippines as due to the Covid pandemic, no pageant was held last year. Photo: Instgram

“”Every LGBTIQ+ person who has been lucky enough to survive the turmoil of growing up is a survivor. Survivors always have an obligation to those who will face the same challenges.”-- Bob Paris

We have a responsibility to take up the torch and light the way for the community that comes after us. We need visibility, diversity, and inclusion. Break the silence om Mental Health, Transrights, stigmatization of HIV and bullying.” ~ Louw Breytenbach

“69 countries in the world still criminalise homosexuality and 29 of them are in Africa -- I want to be a driving force to change this and challenge this along with my existing charities ~ Louw Breytenbach

A very special thank you to The Lord above, my family, friends, fans, supporters, my amazinc sponsors, management and the silent observers who have cheered me on - THANK YOU. You will never know how you have impacted my life, and I hope to be a strong enough leader to impact others. ~ Louw Breytenbach