The United States did not have a top-five finisher in the first two Mr. Gay World competitions, but Michael Holtz certainly left a bold, definite stamp on the third-annual event, held March 9-14 in Manila, The Philippines.
Holtz, 26—from Naples, Fla., and now living and working in Southern California—finished second in the annual competition of 23 gay men from around the world.
Francois Nel, 28, from South Africa, was named the 2011 Mr. Gay World champion.
"The opportunity to represent my country in Manila as an ambassador and spokesperson for the LGBT community and human rights was an invaluable experience that has provided me with a deeper international perspective," Holtz said. "After being named 2011 Mr. Gay World first runner-up and Mr. Gay World USA, I will be utilizing this international experience and continue to embark on a journey and build initiatives that help develop, advance and protect the rights of LGBT Americans and individuals worldwide."
Holtz is the CEO and founder of MKH2O Productions.
"It was an honor to represent my country as an ambassador and spokesperson for the LGBTQ community," Holtz said. "The opportunity to tell my story and change the hearts and minds of individuals across the world has always been a mission of mine.
"Mr. Gay World 2011 was an amazing experience where I met some really amazing people and learned a lot about some of the different human rights issues that other countries and cultures face around the world. I met some really inspiring people who I plan to keep in touch with."
After all, Holtz's 22 competitors included participants from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Finland, Iceland, India, Mexico, Norway, Peru and Thailand, among other countries.
"I wanted to participate in Mr. Gay World because the goals and mission of the competition and celebration fall in line with my goals and aspirations as an individual who represents the LGBTQ community in a positive and proactive light," Holtz said. "The primary purpose of the Mr. Gay World ( MGW ) is to identify leaders who will take responsibility of being a spokesperson not only in his own community but on a global stage, speaking out for equal and human rights. MGW is a positive role model and will work on humanizing being gay in the media both queer and mainstream.
"The event meant a lot to me. I have walked away from this experience with new friends, mentors and knowledge about human rights and how it relates to different parts of the world."
And of course many new friends.
Such as the winner from South Africa. "He will be great," Holtz predicted. "He is a true advocate for the cause and a great representative of his country. We are already planning on some different programs and projects we want to start working together on."
And the entrant from Ireland, Barry Gouldsbury, 28. "I am 50 percent Irish, so I knew that I would get along really well with Mr. Ireland, and was lucky to have him as a roommate for the competition," Holtz said.
And also Mr. Philippines, Marc Ernest Biala, 24. Biala, ironically, was asked who, of all the delegates, he would date, and why. He replied, Holtz, "because he's got it all going on."
Especially in the event's sporting competitions, where Holtz truly shined. He even was recognized from the group as the International Sportsman.
"During the athletic challenge, my team relied on me to strategize a plan so that we could be victorious," Holtz said. "They even said, 'Those Americans are the best at making up cheers, [ so ] I am sure Michael has a good one.' Needless to say, my team won all three athletic challenges. Coming primarily from an individual sport it put to the test, my ability to work as part of, and lead, a team."
Holtz said the most meaningful experience from his international journey was visiting one of Manila's slum restoration projects: Gawad Kalinga, officially known as
the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, a Philippine-based poverty alleviation and nation-building movement.
"We donated supplies as well as their human resources to help renovate two of the project's community spaces, the library and a meeting/computer room," Holtz said. "It was a very emotional and uplifting morning as the community came out to meet these young world leaders as they gave back to a local community in need. The young pre-schoolers presented Mr. Gay World delegation a beautiful concert presentation before receiving new coloring books, crayons and other story books, stickers and toys. Later, the MGW delegates went to work in renovating two rooms in the project by laying down new flooring, building shelves for the library, installing some lights and fans as well as window coverings."
"You know, I was a little hesitant about the idea at first and what this experience would actually be like. I wondered what everyone wanted to really get out of this experience and competition as the delegates came from [ many ] different backgrounds and cultures, but it is safe to say that everyone was very pleasant and approachable."
Holtz added: "As a very competitive individual, the thought of taking the title would have been amazing, [ but ] I look at the experience as a whole and what I have accomplished so far in my life, and this experience specifically, and I have nothing but pride in myself."
The 2012 Mr. Gay World competition will be held next April in South Africa.
Holtz added that the competition will definitely take place in the United States.
"Mr. Gay USA founder and producer Jarl Haugedal has a great vision for the USA representation in the future and I am ready to help," Holtz said. "I think the LGBTQ community in the USA has so many great things to tell the world and this competition would be a great time to showcase that here in the USA, hopefully in the near future. Next year's Mr. Gay USA final will take place in Key West."
