Former Red Deerian and current Mr. Gay Canada Josh Rimer (left) with Mr. Gay Spain in Cape Town, South Africa for the recent Mr. Gay World competition. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

WORLD STAGE

Mr. Gay Canada returns from international competition in South Africa

May 20, 2019 | 11:39 AM

Former Red Deerian and current Mr. Gay Canada titleholder is back on home turf after several busy days in South Africa for the Mr. Gay World competition.

Josh Rimer, who now lives in Vancouver and is a host for OUTtv, spent a large part of his time in Cape Town sharing his message on LGBTQ+ refugees and how far some parts of the world still have to go.

“I was really glad to be there to bring Canada to the table and be an example to so many other represented countries that are still struggling to get to where we are for LGBTQ+ rights,” he says.

“My main message was about LGBTQ+ refugees and working toward helping those who live in the 70 countries that still criminalize homosexuality to have a chance at a better life.”

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Rimer, who didn’t win the competition, took part in several activities in vying for the ultimate title.

“It was a really intense week. Going to a really poor community to do a triathlon and then plant a garden and paint a shack (all in one morning) was a very memorable part,’ he recalls.

“Overall though, just meeting so many inspiring men from all over the world who are doing great things in their communities was amazing – we all got along despite technically being in competition with each other.”

The week also included panel interviews, written tests, social media workshops, swimwear photography modeling, acting and cooking challenges, and media interviews.

In the end, Rimer adds that Canadians should know we are a great example to the rest of the world.

“Things aren’t completely perfect in Canada, but so many LGBTQ+ people in other countries are still fighting a tough struggle to try to get to where we are today,” he says.

“Since we’re so privileged to live in a country like this we should be doing what we can to help those people who are struggling, and especially those in danger, to have a chance at a better life too.”

Rimer’s YouTube channel, where he discusses a wide array of subjects, has 33,000 subscribers. He is also a long-time volunteer in the Vancouver area for organizations like the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, A Loving Spoonful, AIDS Vancouver, the LOUD Foundation, and Foundation of Hope.

Rimer is a graduate of Lindsay Thurber, was also a student at G.W. Smith Elementary and Central Middle School, and used to be an employee at RDTV.