Bridge Hudson has his work cut out. He departs August 23 to represent Hong Kong in Mr Gay World - the annual, worldwide search for a global gay ambassador. But whereas other Misters Gay Hong Kong since 2009 have had an entire year to prepare for theirrespective campaign for the world title, Hudson barely has a week until curtains rise on this year’s edition, slated August 25 - 31 at the Gay Village in the Italian capital.
“Bridge has my full support,” says 2013 Mr Gay Hong Kong, school teacher Michael Morrill, upon learning that the scramble to designate his replacement has come to an end. Days earlier, Morrill indicated a greater need for him to stay locally, citing pressing personal business matters.
The Mr Gay Hong Kong Organization endorsed Morrill’s default plea to the Rome committee, pledging to enact a designation to ensure Hong Kong’s onward campaign for the world title stays alive. Counting mere days before the world finals begin, the Organization deemed Hudson readiest among the MGHK alumni to take on the intimidating assignment.
On August 17, Sunday, Mr Gay World’s Online Vote gateway mrgayworld.com/vote finally showed Hudson’s photograph as the delegate from Hong Kong, thereby making his designation official.
A send-off party for Hudson in Tivo, a bar in Central’s Wyndham Street, ensued that same evening. “Lion Dancer” - Hudson’s National Costume for the world finals, designed by Andrew Cheung of the HK Academy of the Performing Arts - was on display.
“It’s a fresh take on a joyous symbol of Hong Kong’s celebratory community culture, of our energy,openness, optimism and vitality,” enthused James Gannaban, Chairman of The Mr Gay Hong Kong Organization. “I have no doubt Bridge will do us proud.”
HISTORY
Hudson has big shoes to fill; not a single MGHK to date has returned from the world finals empty handed:
- 2009 MGHK Rick Twombley titled as 2010 MGW 2nd Runner-up in Oslo
- 2010 MGHK Heihei Yau Chun Hei nabbed a Personality award at the 2011 MGW in Manila
- 2011 MGHK Jimmy Wong Chun Nam finished among the Top 10 at the 2012 MGW in Johannesburg
- 2012 MGHK Benjie Caraig titled as 2013 MGW 1st Runner-up in Antwerp, giving Hong Kong its best finish to date.
Delegates at the world finals are tested via a battery of disciplines designed to rate their well roundedness. This includes a closed-door panel interview, which constitutes a whopping 30% of a delegate’s final score. Sports, Art/Mixed Media, Talent, National Costume, Swimwear, Formal Wear, and Final Q&A are the other areas of competition that allow delegates to earn points towards their campaign to be named the new Mr Gay World.
Though only a few days remain before Hudson takes off for his last-minute world finals assignment, the case could also be made that, as 2011 MGHK 1st Runner-up, he has had the longest time to condition himself for this eventuality.
FAMILY TRADITION
“I’m the first in my family to return to Rome since my dad served his mission there decades ago,”Hudson shares.
The Hudsons are Mormons - members of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.
Calgary-born Jonathan Bridge Hudson, then 20, had to serve a mission call, too, handed to him in 2003 - the year that brought him to Hong Kong. He learned, among other things, to speak Cantonese. He also came to terms with the fact that he’s gay. The Mormon Church frowns upon “homosexual acts,” reason enough for him to endure a harrowing 2-year battle against reparative therapy upon the conclusion of his mission call.
He decided to leave the Church and, in 2011, he returned to Hong Kong.
He counts enlisting as a 2011 MGHK delegate among his proudest moments. “I’ve known what it’s like, being in a gay vacuum,” he recounts. “I wanted then to know what the the other end of the spectrum feels like. I decided,” he chortles, “there’s no better spot to start than with Mr Gay Hong Kong!”
WELL WISHES
Hudson presently works as a Training Manager at XYZ, a top-tier indoor spin gym in Central.
“I’m taking some XYZ merchandise with me to Rome. Caps, towels, some water bottles, maybe… 50 pieces in all. Is that enough?” At his send-off party, it seems all he could think about are items on his Rome checklist. “My bosses wanted to show that ‘Bridge is employed by good people. He works in a good place.’ ”
Of reactions from Calgary, he has this to share:
“One of my friends messaged to say he’s happy for me, but was also regretful, at the same time. He said, ‘Just think of the positive influence your global exposure could mean for the Church, particularly towards inspiring those who, unlike you, have decided to stay within it.’ But he thought because I have left the Church, I’m no longer in a position to speak from a place of belonging.”
The most noteworthy message may have yet come from his mother, who had this to say:
‘To be honest, I’m not fond of the reason you are going to Rome… but only because I think you are beautiful, anyway. You always have been.’
Bridge Hudson, with The Mr Gay Hong Kong Organization and XYZ, inaugurates the city’s first-ever PRIDE RIDE Fitness x Fundraising Event in October, for the benefit of Tongzhi Tsai, MGHK’s campaign against homophobic bullying in schools. To stay in the loop on how to ride with pride, clip on to facebook.com/mrgayhongkong and pedal with fun away.
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