Gay beauty pageant for HIV/AIDS charity

by Pho Zaw
Tuesday, 01 September 2009 20:25

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The gay community organized a fund raising beauty pageant for HIV/AIDS patients on August 29 in Rangoon.

'Miss Red Ribbon Beauty Contest 2009' kicked off at the Sedona Hotel at 5 p.m. It was attended by over 400 gays and 35 contestants.

One of the organizers of the beauty contest told Mizzima that they handed over Kyat 10 million (approximately 9100 US $) to the Medical Superintendent of Waybargi Infectious Diseases Hospital, from the sale of the tickets and an unannounced individual donation of Kyat 2.5 million.

The ticket prices soared to Kyat 100,000 with the minimum at Kyat 50,000 from the price fixed by organizers at Kyat 30,000 and Kyat 20,000 respectively.

The ‘Miss Red Ribbon’ title was won by Ah Nge Lay from Makeup December Hnin, the second runner-up and the third prize went to Gyokya and Loreal Aung Aung respectively. The prizes of Kyat 500,000, 300,000 and 200,000 were given away to the winners. Revlon Co. gave an additional prize of cosmetic products worth Kyat 100,000.

The ‘Miss Congeniality’ award was won by 'Thet', who received Revlon cosmetics worth Kyat 100,000.

The second runner-up L'Oreal Aung Auns told Mizzima, "I feel very happy as a gay to win this prize in my first ever experience. Gay rights have not yet fully developed in Burma and I feel very happy on behalf of all gays for the recognition of our rights by holding such an event in this big hotel".

Famous actors and singers like Lu Minn, Htet Htet Moe Oo, Lynn Zarni Zaw, Khin Zar Chi Kyaw, Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein, Hay Mar Nay Win, Connie and Lay Lay Wah attended the function.

The panel of judges for the contest were Eindra Kyaw Zin, May Than Nu, Soe Myat Thu Zar, Ye Aung, Khat Si Thu and Shwe Amyu Tay magazine editor Win Nyein.