Soccer player is new Mister Gay Belgium
As a member of the jury the Mayor of Antwerp, Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist), had the honour of announcing the winner of this year's Mister Gay Belgium. This year the honour goes to Matthias De Roover, a 25-year-old auditor from Lokeren (East Flanders).
Matthias will now represent Belgium at Mister Gay Europa 2019 and Mister Gay World 2018.
At the ceremony at the Elckerlyc Theatre in Antwerp 40-year-old Thierry Toebat, a hairdresser from Geluwe (West Flanders), was first runner up in a field of eleven. Niels Van Den Steen (24) from Erpe-Mere (East Flanders) was third. The competition that selects an ambassador for Belgium’s LGTBIQ+ community is in its seventh year.
Matthias is keen to promote acceptance of gays in the world of sports.
"My coming out in my soccer team went well. But there are zillions of youngsters who don't dare to do this out of fear of the reactions. As an ambassador I now want to bring a positive message."
