I remember back when I was in my early 20s... oh wait, I don't. That's why Rob Goddard, the current Mr Gay Canada, is completely amazo. Look at this guy: he's able to volunteer for a whole ton of LGBT organizations and non-profits while also finding time to hold down a job that he works at all the time. Classic Canadian right?

He's even nicer than Riley Cox! And that's reeeeeeeal nice.

He's competing right now in Manila for the Mr Gay World title, and he needs your vote to win the people's choice component of the program.

Vote here.

And hey, he's even made it into The Province.

Go, Throb! 

About six months ago Mr. Gay Canada Darren Bruce asked me if I would like to get involved was a volunteer with the Health Initiative for Men here in Vancouver. I said yes at the time, but they have waited until my tawdry background in that cheapest and sluttiest of professions (technical and strategic writing and communications) would come in handy..or condomy...to one of the organizations campaigns. Well, such a campaign is underway and I went to my first meeting yesterday to run some creatives by a committee of volunteers (yes, boys and girls and others, if you aren't volunteering for your community already, you really should be).

Two of the committee members shared some YouTube video links that I want to post here. Condom use is a serious issue, not only here in Vancouver but pretty much everywhere. The following ad made condoms feel sexy to me and I wanted to post it here because it reinforces me to think about condoms positively. Leave it to the French to prophylactics seem hot and romantic at the same time:

On the other side of the fence, here is a commercial about Vinta crackers:

What does this have to do with HIM? Guess you're gonna have to wait and see.

In other news, do you know any hot queers with substance in San Fran? Do me a favour and send them this notice. Tell them to get in touch with me.

For those of you looking for the full interview with vampire erotica writer Todd Greggory, check back tomorrow.

In the meantime, the North Shore Outlook voted Vancouver's Darren Bruce (Mr. Gay Canada) as one of its Top 30 Under 30. Pretty awesome. For those of you who thought this was just a pagent, get real. The title helped transform Darren into a vocal queer rights advocate and lead to him playing an integral part in outreach by the Health Iniative for Men.

Congratulations, Darren!

Read the full article here. An excerpt to get you interested:

After a smouldering contest in Whistler last year he won the title of Mr. Gay Canada. There were some kudos for his showing in the swimsuit competition, but more importantly 26-year-old Darren Bruce took on the role of national spokesperson, activist and advocate when he accepted the title. The Argyle grad served his one-year term, and since the next competition won’t be until next spring or summer, he’ll hang on to the crown and attendant responsibilities for another six or eight months...

Lastly, I would like to thank the many photographers at Xtra! West who travel around Vancouver to bring you the sexy spreads displayed in the "Out in the City" section. They are the people of the people and help show the Vancouver Queer Community what it wants to see: hot people doing hot things in not a lot clothing (AMEN!) - they also occasionally have to spend a whole night with me (pity them, as they are not even paid to be in my company...alas)

Take freelance photographer Brandon Gaukel for example. He's had the misfortune to work two nights with me, but his photos are so damn good, I wanted to take the time to thank him. Check out www.gaukel.ca for more of his work. And if you missed my recent print columns, here's a Brandon Gaukel photo from the Mr.Gay Canada contest:

And here's two Brandon Gaukel's from Highschool Confidential with the jaw-dropping VaVa Vunderbust:

In the past I've featured Rosamund Norbury's shot from Boy George night and her site.

In the future I would like to feature Tallulah Photography and the lovely Tallulah's trials and tribulations with me (since there have been many)

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving!

Darren Bruce: Mr. Gay Canada 2008-2009

The first nationwide search for Mr. Gay Canada took place September 18-21^st, 2008 in Vancouver and Whistler, province of British Columbia, Canada.  Hosted mostly in the idyllic mountain resort of Whistler the primary purpose of the Mr. Gay Canada (MGC) is to identify leaders who will take responsibility not only in his own community but also on a global stage speaking out for equal rights. Mr. Gay Canada is a positive role model and will work on humanizing being gay and act as an LGBT Tourism Ambassador for Canada.

The 3-day, indoor/outdoor competition brought together an exceptional group of young men that performed a series of events to help the judges identify a strong spokesman ambassador to tell the world about the mission. 

On Saturday, September 20^th, the winner was chosen. North Vancouver’s Darren Bruce was the final delegate standing to accept the symbolic “crown” through a vest baring the logo of Mr Gay Canada. “Besides feeling loved and challenged, it was one of the first times I felt understood,” said Darren Bruce, “I wanted to call my boyfriend and my parents right away.” After experiencing such an amazing weekend of the best BC has to offer, Darren’s favourite moments included “sobering champagne, winning the canoe challenge and the emotionally cathartic farewell.” As the title holder of Mr Gay Canada, Darren will present our country in the upcoming International Mr Gay event as well as be the face of various public service announcements, speak at events and work towards the mission of the project. The recent University of British Columbia Engineering graduate has some goals of his own that include lobbying politicians, GLBT education for youth and of course becoming International Mr Gay.

In other MGC news, fellow judge and hot Vancouver uber-socialite Jamie Lee Hamilton posted the following comment on her blog about yours truly:

MR GAY CANADA CONTEST

I had a great time last night judging the Mr Gay Canada contest. The contestants are exceptional young men, smart, witty and articulate. They all displayed terrific personalities and I was truly honoured being asked by the co-owners of the Mr Gay Canada pageant, Dean Nelson and Terry Costa to judge the men.

Other amazing judges included the very handsome reporter, Sean Horlor, from XtraWest and the Diva songstress, the fabulous Kim Kuzma, who performed at the end of the night with the handsome contestants.

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I loves me that Jamie Lee! Ughn!