MR. GAY USA 2008 by mr.gaycompetition.com

JONATHAN "JT" TAYLOR FROM SAN FRANCISCO, NAMED U.S. MR. GAY
MOVES ON TO INTERNATIONAL MR. GAY 2008 FINALS IN LOS ANGELES JAN 17-21,
AT HOLLYWOOD’S MUSIC BOX THEATER


HOLLYWOOD, CA– (Oct. 27, 2007) Jonathan "JT" Taylor from San Francisco, California was named U.S. Mr. Gay 2008, beating out nineteen other contestants from around the nation. The 3rd Annual U.S. Mr. Gay Competition National Finale and Awards Gala was held at the Music Box Theater in Hollywood. Taylor, 27, will now move on to represent the United States at the International Mr. Gay Competition Grand Finale, which will be held at the same location in January.

Taylor wowed the judges and the crowd with his stage presence, charm, intelligence and eye catching physique. The U.S.A. finals included a three-day series of indoor/outdoor physical competitions, public appearances, photo shoots and judge’s interviews.

“It was a very close contest between an extraordinary group of men and all the contestants were excellent,” said Don Spradlin, founder of the Mr. Gay Competition. “JT is an exemplary person and we’re thrilled to have him represent the U.S. in January at the world’s eyes are focused on Hollywood for the International Mr. Gay Competition.”

The first runner up spot was awarded to Mr. Green Bay, Josh Roberts, and the second runner up spot went to Derek B. Moates of Birmingham, AL. The award for Mr. Congeniality was given to Shar DeVon of Chicago, an honor voted on by the contestants themselves.

With the tagline “because gay is not a stereotype,” the U.S. Mr. Gay Competition searches beyond looks to identify one man with the individualism and charisma to serve as a successful role model in challenging gay stereotypes. The winner serves as an Ambassador for the Noble Beast Foundation’s mission, which is to confront homophobia and challenge the gay stereotype through appearances and events such as the Competition.

The other Award winners during the evening’s Gala included Birmingham’s Derek B. Moates, who won several Awards including Swimwear, Mr. Photogenic and 2nd Runner Up for US Mr. Gay.
Chicago’s Shar DeVon won Mr. Congeniality (voted on by other contestants). By having 28,000 votes cast, San Diego’s Steve Pena won the Mr. Popularity (on-line voting) Award. All of the Award winners received a beautiful wallet valued at over $400 from designer Charles Lapson. The cash prizes donated by Eric Butter of Australia included a $5000 Award to the new US Mr. Gay, JT Taylor, and a $2000 Award to Swimwear winner Derek Moates.
All of the contestants received a gift package of care products from Sircuit Cosmeseuticals, a swimsuit from Andrew Christian and a leather luggage tag with a value of $90 from designer Charles Lapson.
The Honorees at the Awards Gala included California Assemblyman, Mark Leno, who received the HERO Award from Palm Springs Mayor Ron Oden. Both Mark Leno and Mayor Ron Oden were judges during the very first Mr. Gay Competition in Palm Springs in 2005.
One of the highlights of the evening was a dance number choreographed by RED Savage that featured MC Alec Mapa as the “Dancing Queen” with backup featuring the 20 US Finalists in 1970’s garb. The colorful number was one of only several highlights in the evening’s entertaining stage show directed by Associate Producer John Michael Beck.
The US Mr. Gay Competition was produced by the Noble Beast Foundation as a benefit for Lifeworks Mentoring and the Finalists goal of raising $5000 for the beneficiary was surpassed with a current donation announced at the Awards Gala of $12,000 and donations are still coming in from the 20 US City Finalist’s efforts. The other HERO Award was for the service provided by Lifeworks Mentoring and their dedicated team of volunteers. Accepting the Noble Beast Foundation’s HERO Award for community service was Board members Chip Sullivan and Walter Hubert along with Executive Director Michael Ferrera.