Mr. Gay Europe 2007 Survives Logistical Circus, Boy George Hissy Fit

What with all the excitement over the Hungarian Grand Prix and the Sziget Festival we almost forgot to mention the other great international event to hit Budapest this summer: the climactic finals of the 2007 Mr. Gay Europe competition.

Since our correspondent on the scene didn't want to mar his outfit with a professional-sized camera, we don't have as many high-quality pics of the event as we would have liked. But we can offer you all the important details, plus a little exclusive dish.

First, as for the question "why Budapest?" the answer is Nándor Gyöngyösi (second from right in picture up top) who was named MGE 2006 in Amsterdam last August, thus winning Hungary the honors, Eurovision-style, to host this year's event. Meanwhile, the "how" seems to be mostly due to the patronage of Budapest's now undisputed Queen of the Drag Queens Desiré Dubounet, pictured above with Mr. Gay Netherlands.

The big night took place in two locations in and around Budapest's City Park. First was the gala award show and ceremony, which was held under the big top of the Budapest Great Circus. Then came an after-party at the Városligeti Műjégpálya, which much have been one of the hottest thing ever to take place on an ice-skating rink. The awards show was hosted by Adam Webb and Patrícia Piringer - who did a great job - and featured lots of gee-whiz tricks and treats, including a Russian circus act complete with crocodiles and swimming snakes (the floor of the big tent was a pool) as well as synchronized swimmers and other spectacles. In typical Budapest style, it was all a little hard to find and navigate, but once you got in and figured out what was going on, it was a blast.

Among the celebs who turned out were Martha Wash of "It's Raining Men" fame, pictured above with Pestiside's own Kelly (right, with visiting guest at left). Less uplifting was red-headed Hungarian model Viktória Vámosi, who looked more like a drag queen than most of the DQ's in attendance, and one in serious need of a nice fatty lángos or two. Meanwhile, as long as we've got our claws out, last year's champ wasn't looking so hot, either. Then again, a whole year of being MGE must be equivalent to 10 normal years and God knows how many dog years. Either way, take a few weeks off, Nándi.

Just like at any other important beauty contest, some of the "super finalists" were emotional wrecks. From what we could see, Mr. Gay UK burst into tears every time Webb looked his way. Though unlike most pageants, this particular teary finalist used to be a cop.

Then there was a cute little meltdown when it came time for the finalists to sign their national anthems. Mr. Gay Ireland couldn't, and nor could Mr. Gay Germany, though Mr. Germany, who is of Indian descent, gamely made up for it by singing the Indian national anthem. Mr. Gay UK did better, though with the UK's national intro music being "God Save the Queen" you'd hardly expect him to do otherwise.

Now for that naughty Boy George. We can exclusively report that BG, who had apparently been paid €10 large to DJ at MGE, got royally PO'd when one of the other disc-spinners (and one who had been paid just a few hundred) told him his time was up. Hearing this, the Karma Chameleon suddenly changed his karma, chucked his beer and stomped out, saying he'd never set foot in Hungary again.

While a great loss Budapest - George's set was great, one of the best we've ever heard spun - he may still be able to DJ at MGE 2008, as it will be taking place in Germany, the home of 25-year-old Jackson Netto, who now proudly wears the tiara of Mr. Gay Europe 2007.

Reporting and photos by Kelly for Pestiside.hu.