Hannes Eilers from Germany became Mr. Gay Auckland last month, and now Jackson Netto, also from Germany, has been crowned Mr. Gay Europe in a pageant in Budapest last weekend. 21 contestants from participating countries ranging from The Canary Islands in the south to Lapland in the north were whittled down in the ‘Super Final' event. Boy George was on hand to award the trophy, and also on stage were Russian circus performers and Martha Walsh singing ‘It's Raining Men', for the grande finale complete with fireworks, water fountains and dancing from the finalists. Born in the German city of Stuttgart, Netto is currently studying in Liverpool, UK. “When I was a child I used to be overweight. At the age of 15 I lost 25 kilos of weight, took care of my nutrition and did sports to keep in shape,” he reveals. “To be able to enter the Mr Gay Europe competition was be a huge step for me, a great reward for the effort and discipline that I've had all these years. To be honest it is a dream come true.” Netto says he knows how important it is for people to have role models “to hold on to, to feel comfortable with their sexuality and to be proud of themselves for what they are. It is a great honour for me to represent the gay community”, says the new Mr. Gay Europe. Bloggers on PinkNews.co.uk expressed their cynicism about the event when news of the winner was announced. “The unedifying spectacle of gay men acting like something from a 1950s Doris Day movie continued over the weekend,” wrote one. “Yes, in 2007 some gay men do still think the highest level of achievement they can attain is to look slightly better in a pair of pants than another gay man. “Some German guy won it, then said how he felt so honoured to be a 'role model' - presumably he meant 'underwear model' but there you go,” the blogger concluded. A group picture of Mr. Gay Europe 2007 contestants is available to view on the link below. Ref: Mr. Gay Europe, PinkNews.co.uk (m)