U.S.A. Mr. Gay Captures Title
Of First Ever
Mr. Gay 2006 International Title

Austria and Germany Snag 1 st and 2 nd Runner-Up Positions

PALM SPRING, CA  (Oct. 9, 2005)  – In a cliffhanger competition, where a tie-breaker was averted on a second ballot, the first ever Mr. Gay 2006 International title was captured by San Diego's Jesse Bashem, who - just one hour earlier - had won the title of U.S.A. Mr. Gay.

2nd Runner up Suat Banceci, Winner Jesse Bashem
1st Runner up Aaron Jackson

The Competition, which took place at the Riviera Resort in Palm Springs, California, Columbus Day Weekend – October 7-9, 2005 included eleven additional contestants from cities such as, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Palm Springs, and national representatives from the Netherlands, Norway, Lappland, Bulgaria and Bosnia-Herzegovenia.

Austria's Aaron Michael Jackson was the first runner up and Germany's Suat Bahceci landed in the second runner up slot.

The title for Mr. Congeniality, voted on by his fellow contestants, was awarded to Palm Springs resident Robert (Bobby) Ficco Jr., leading Mayor Ron Oden (also a competition judge)to comment, “How gratifying to see a Palm Springs resident recognized for what the city prides itself on, a friendly nurturing community to all the world's visitors.”

“Competitions such as these have been popular in Europe for years and we're thrilled to now have a U.S. based component looking for the ‘boy next door' to represent the broader gay community,” said Producer Don Spradlin. “The winner will serve as a spokesman to raise the visibility of gay men, humanize gays in the media, create a positive role model and confront homophobia in today's culture.”

Additional information, is available at MrGayCompetition.com

Mr. Gay 2006 Finalists in Pool

The company producing this national network of competitions is Community Promotions, a California LLC owned and operated by Managing Partners Don Spradlin and Thomas Roth.   Both have extensive and respected experience in managing and producing events for the gay community.  They plan to provide a professional and wholesome series of contests and grow the network over the years to include many more city and state contests.  The competition will be broadcast as a two hour special on the Q-Television Network and was presented by Instinct Magazine.

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Media Contact:  Lobeline Communications

Phil Lobel/Chris Kingry   and

Mr.Gay 2006 International Group Photograph with
Palm Springs Mayor Ron Oden, Stage Director John Michael Beck
and Executive Producer Don Spradlin

Questions, Sponsor inquiries, and press registration:

Don Spradlin
Executive Producer
Mr. Gay 2006 – USA
Mr. Gay 2006 – International
MrGayCompetition.com