Sun 25 May 2008 In: Hall of Fame View at Wayback View at NDHA
Tommy Hamilton and his mate Biff Nominations were taken on Christchurch's Cruz nightclub's website, and at the bar. Then audience votes helped 18-year-old Tommy Hamilton beat out five other hopefuls on stage during their outrageous inaugural awards night – to become 2008's best Teen Queen... GayNZ.com: Well done on your win! Why do you think so many people voted for you? Tommy: Thanks! Because I'm a local and I know and am friends with lots and lots of GLBT people! What did you do with the trophy? I made sure I didn't lose it so I can show my Mummy lol. What do you do for a job, or study, and what are your future career plans? Believe it or not, I'm a farm boy. I am currently studying a BCom Agri (Degree in Agriculture) at Lincoln University, Chch and working part time on a dairy farm. I'm used to the 4.30am starts and usually do an all-nighter at the gay clubs before getting the cows in and pulling tits. They are the only tits I touch by the way! In the future I'm going to work in the agriculture sector as a farm manager on consultant or something like that. Where did you grow up? Motunua Beach on a coastal sheep and beef farm half way between Christchurch and Kaikoura. Tommy on stage at awards night with host Steve Gray When did you come out as gay, and what was it like for you at the time? I was 17 at the time. I had just left boarding school and was working on a dairy farm out in the woop woops in Nelson. I had a lot of time to think about my life, and one day I realised how unhappy and fake I was. That night I 'came out' to all my friends and family. None of them had a problem with this once they had been educated to why this was. A huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders - and from that day on, my life changed. I became a completely different person - happy, fun and one hundred percent confident. It was actually very easy to 'come out' and once I did I wished I had done it earlier. After this I met lots of supportive and helpful gay people including my ex boyfriend Levi. He taught me everything a gay boy needs to know, helped me understand who I am, gave me the best advice ever and always listened to me. So did my fag-hag Renee and other close gay friends. Without them I wouldn't be who I am or where I am today. Is it good to be gay in Christchurch? What's the gay scene like? It's fabulous. There's GLBT people and fag-hags everywhere. The scene is awesome, getting bigger and better. Everybody is really friendly and supportiveandreally easy to get along with. There is always something fun happening but it's a shame there's not many gay Maori boys down here!! What's your relationship status? I have been single since breaking up with my long term boyfriend in October. Looking for another hot brown boy at the moment. Tommy's handmade winners' statue What do you think are the most pressing issues currently facing the NZ's gay community? In the up-coming election all those in the GLBT community need to vote for the Greens, Labour or The Progressives so New Zealand as a country can move forward even more in relation to human rights a gay issues. The government needs to make NZ much, much more equitable and safe for our community. We must be given all the rights straight people have, such as the right to adopt children the right to give blood. No-one should have the right to discriminate against transgender people without receiving a punishment. Schools need to be much more supportive of queer students and education on sexual orientation and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV needs to be enhanced. Punishments for hate crimes need to be more harsh. Overall the government needs to work hard to create a more positive environment for our community. What's your worst habit? Not listening to advice and doing the opposite to what the person says, but hey you learn from your mistakes. Are there any books are you currently reading or recommending? Yes, my Introduction to Law Studies textbook. I'm really enjoying it - NOT!! Your favourite music at the moment? Anything by Rihanna, Pink, Madonna, Fergie, Beyonce' or Chris Brown. Your favourite movies? The Secret, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Not Another Gay Movie. Your favourite TV programmes? Shortland Street and One News (that's about all I have time to watch) Your favourite websites? GayNZ.com and bebo of course!! If you could have one wish granted what would it be? That all that hot straight boys became gay! lol GayNZ.com - 25th May 2008