Zoltan, our first Delegate from India, has sent his pic of him wearing the Pink Bracelet in front of the "Gates of India" in Mumbai. He is currently on a modeling gig in New York City, where he will be until he joins the 2008 International Mr. Gay (IMG) Competition in Hollywood January 17-21, 2008.

We just got this new photo from one of our US Finalists, Josh Robers, who will be representing his home town of Green Bay for the US Mr. Gay Competition in Hollywood October 25-28, 2007. Josh had his photo taken wearing his PINK BRACELET with Christine Quinn, the first openly gay Speaker of the City Council in NYC, which makes her the second most powerful politician in NYC behind the mayor. (she may be the next mayor of NYC!!!). Thanks to photographer Frank Lau for taking the photo and to Christine for wearing a PINK BRACELET, too.

Here are two new photos from friends wearing the PINK BRACELET (PB) around the globe. This first one is of Zaki Dariff, our Delegate from Morocco to the International Mr. Gay Competition's Grand Finale January 17-20, 2008, in Hollywood, California. Zaki had his photo snapped wearing the PB in front of a Casablanca landmark, the Twin Center office towers in Casablanca.
This second photo is of Derek Moates taken in a studio in his home town of Birmingham, Alabama. Derek will be representing Birmingham at the US Mr. Gay Competitioin's National Finale October 25-27, 2007 in Hollywood, California.

More photos soon!

The Power of a Symbol

The PINK BRACELET is spreading around the world and stories are beginning to come back about what happens when someone wears one ... I got several emails over the weekend from current and past Mr. Gay Delegates.

They reported that they sent the news out to their local press. Thanks to Tiago in Portugal and Piotr in Poland for their extra efforts.

Our Russian producer, Nicolas Alexeyev, wrote back that he was proud to wear the PINK BRACELET and is planning to accompany his Delegate to this January's International Mr. Gay (IMG) Competition here in Hollywood (details on our website at www.MrGayCompetition.com )

That will be a major press event here since Nicolas is one of the activists who organized the Moscow Pride events that resulted in injuries when the crowd attacked marchers while the police watched. He was just granted a US visa, so now he can travel and tell the world about the sad state of gay rights in Russia.

Our Birmingham, Alabama, Mr. Gay , Derek Moates, who's photo I have inserted here, has started a blog about his experiences with the PINK BRACELET and writes:

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

First responces to my pink bracelet

After I received my pink bracelet I looked at it and thought.. 'Hmmm... it is some pink string, thats it'... but I had no idea that it would draw so much attention to itself and me at the same time.

Once I placed the bracelet on my arm, people at work started asking me "What is the pink string for? Are you trying to remember something?"

At first I was taken back by the question. I wasnt preparred to be asked about it and I wasnt sure what to say. After a brief pause I finally replied, "Yes it is to help remind me that it's ok to be gay".

Everyone at work knows I am gay, but it is not something I wear on my sleeve or display with flags and gayness all over my office. It is just a simple fact that people came to discover over my first year in the lab.

I was very happy with the responces that I recieved like "Of course it is!". It seems that even though I live in Alabama, the people here are coming around to a new level of acceptance that not everyone is the same and like the same things and that is ok.

The Magic Castle at Disneyland - our first photo

The launch of the PINK BRACELET Campaign last week has resulted in lots of interest and support around the world. It is gratifying to get so many positive responses to our effort to spread the word that "It's OK to be gay" and gather blog notes and photos about how that feels when you say it, wear it and even put it on.

My niece, Megan, lives in Davis, California, and stopped to visit us in LA on her way to Disneyland last week. Her boyfriend had given her the gift of a visit to the Magic Kingdom for her birthday. She worn a PINK BRACELET and had her boyfriend snap this photo of her in front of the Magic Castle at Disneyland ... our first picture of the PINK BRACELET in famous places.

We also heard from supporters in London, Slovenia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey and several US cities, who asked us to send them a PINK BRACELET and more information so they could post the info on their blog or send the info to their email lists. Thanks!!

All about the PINK BRACELET

Why? . . . because we can – we’re gay! We thought you knew that already. Seriously, we plan to challenge the preconceived notions about gay men held by society. We produce this gathering of men to capture the attention of the press and television by recruiting leaders who will break the ‘gay stereotype’ by just being themselves. Here’s our pitch: “Get real . . . it’s ok to be gay.”

We believe that the PINK BRACELET

represents an expression that is bubbling up into consciousness right now in more progressive societies – an idea seeking an outlet. Once enough people are conscious of the fact that “It’s OK to be gay” – then we believe there will be a tipping point of change . . . based on the “100th Monkey Concept” expressed by Telhiard in the 1950’s. (see my comment on this blog entry).

How? We offer you an action point, which is to donate a minimum of $5 to the PINK BRACELET CAMPAIGN, managed by the volunteers of the Noble Beast Foundation. We will send you the PINK BRACELET in a gift envelope specially designed by one of our supporting artists. There will also be a ‘suitable for framing’ Certificate naming you as a “Noble Beast.” We ask that you wear the PINK BRACELET

When? By wearing the PINK BRACELET, you are proclaiming that “It’s OK to be gay” every time someone asks you why you are wearing it, you can make that statement if you choose to do so. Just by wearing the PINK BRACELET, you remind yourself that it is ok to be gay . . . and if you are gay, then it will be a constant reminder that you are great just the way you are! We know that internalized homophobia is one of the most damaging and limiting restraints we place on ourselves. So you can wear the PINK BRACELET for your own benefit as well as a way to change the way society ‘sees’ gay people.

You don’t even have to be gay to wear the PINK BRACELET

Take Action

Order your PINK BRACELET today online at www.MrGayCompetition.com – go to the Merchandise page and use either PayPal or your credit card to make your donation. We will put a PINK BRACELET in the mail to you in the special envelope. You might consider buying several and giving them to your friends who support the idea that it is time to 'get real . . . it’s ok to be gay.' Can you think of friends or family who might support that idea?

When you have your PINK BRACELET on – please feel free to send us a photo of you wearing the PINK BRACELET either as an individual expressing your belief or as a group in any location where you are creating a safe zone for people who may be fearful. Recognizable locations (the Golden Gate Bridge, Sydney Opera House, in front of BIG BEN, the Eiffel Tower, Disneyland, the Pyramids in Egypt or at the Rock of Gibraltar are a few examples of great locations), but what we want to promote is acceptance everywhere . . . we will post as many photos on our website along with your stories of what happens when people ask, or talk with you about the PINK BRACELET as we can.

All PHOTOS courtesy of photographer Donny Vasquez - thank you, Donny!!

Is there really a Mr. Gay?

The Mr Gay Competitions proudly support the mission of the Noble Beast Foundation. The US Competition’s National Finale is this October 25-28, 2007, in Los Angeles and the International Mr. Gay (IMG) Competition is taking place this coming January in Hollywood, California!

More information is available about these unique gatherings of incredible men on our website: www.MrGayCompetition.com