Louw Breytenbach resigns as Mr Gay World 2021

Just two months after being crowned Mr Gay World 2021, Louw Breytenbach from Boksburg resigned after refusing to sign the pageant’s contract, claiming it is ‘unconstitutional and opaque’. However, the competition organisers refuted his claims and his account of what happened.

In a statement released by his representative, the TV presenter and owner of LALT House of Growth said since he was crowned Mr Gay SA in May and then Mr Gay World in October, his relationship with the pageant executives has deteriorated. Breytenbach said he refused to sign his Mr Gay World contract, resulting in a back and forth legal battle.

According to Breytenbach, the contract stipulates the organisation be his exclusive agent when he lands any bookings or acting roles. “I already have an agent who looks after my TV interests. I don’t need them to manage whatever TV opportunities I get. My suggestion was that they manage me based on opportunities pertaining to the pageant and my role as Mr Gay World.”

Breytenbach alleged the first contract he was given mentioned remuneration, but that this was removed from an amended version. In addition, he claimed the contract imposed a €5 000 (approximately R89 900) penalty if he were to leave the pageant for whatever reason.

“This penalty is unlawful. What if they are in breach of contract? Should I still pay the penalty? This does not make sense,” said Breytenbach.

He stressed his biggest concern was the organisers’ inability to be audited when they refused to divulge how funds are used for the Mr Gay World Foundation.

“I think it is my right to know what happens to the money I raise for the organisation in my capacity as Mr Gay World.” The organisation boasts about its sponsors, which include a popular car and hotel brand. Breytenbach said he was never given a car or any hotel stay. “Who is benefiting from these sponsorships?” he asked.

“I led the Gay Pride March in Namibia last weekend and was not given anything towards my expenses. But I was reprimanded via their lawyers to tag the organisation in all social media posts.”

Breytenbach alleged Mr Gay World officials refused to meet with him and his lawyers to resolve the matter. This week, Breytenbach instructed his lawyers to draw up his letter of resignation.

Talking about where it all went wrong, Breytenbach said: “I think my image was being abused because I was already a media personality before I entered. I am disappointed, as I thought the Mr Gay World competition was a platform I could use to broaden my charity work. I also thought they had the interests of the LGBTQI+ community at heart. Sadly, I was wrong.”

Mr Gay World confirmed it has received the resignation of Breytenbach following a contractual dispute, despite ‘our best attempts to resolve the matter amicably and reasonably’.

“We also note the unfortunate press release issued on Mr Breytenbach’s behalf, which includes a series of defamatory allegations about the organisation and its officials.

“We strongly refute these allegations and thoroughly reject Mr Breytenbach’s version of the events as described.

“Mr Gay World is meeting with its legal team to decide what steps to take and will not issue any further comment for the moment,” read a statement issued on behalf of the office of Mr Gay World.

Also Read: Louw Breytenbach crowned Mr Gay World SA 2021

Also Read: Boksburg’s Louw Breytenbach crowned Mr Gay World 2021