Christian Owen recently sent out the following MySpace bulletin:
 
"Hey, guys -- Check it out! I'm one of the 20 guys up for the 2008 Mr. Gay Competition!
 
  Look a little closer...that's me, Mr. Manchester Gay (New Hampshire)
 
  Here's what I need you guys to do: VOTE FOR ME! Click over to MrGayCompetition.com, click on "Vote for Your Favorite" at the top of the page, and click through the gallery of contestants until you get to my photo. Then rate me from a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest, of course). I'm gonna be tacky here and ask you to rate me a 10...
 
  The live competition when Mr. Gay will be named is October 27 in Los Angeles, at the Music Box Theater (comedian Alec Mapa is the host). You can buy tickets via the website. Let me know if you're planning to be there!
 
  Relevant info: The Mr. Gay competition covers a three-day indoor/outdoor series of events designed (and I'm quoting from their mission statement) to "raise the visibility of non-stereotypical gay men, humanize gays in the media, and confront homophobia in today's media." I'm honestly proud to be up there as a nominee. It's a great cause and I'm happy to represent them.
 
  We're also raising money for Lifeworks Mentoring, a nonprofit dedicated to helping LGBTQ youth in all aspects of life. They're online at LifeworksMentoring.org and if you want to donate, contact me here: MySpace.com/manchestermrgay
 
  THANK YOU! And wish me luck on October 27!"
 
If I understand the rules correctly, people can rank him on a scale of 1 to 10, and the point tally is cumulative. So, in theory, you can get 15 votes, but if all fifteen are ranking you at 1 (the lowest) you can get beat by someone who only receives two votes of 8. Interesting. Christian has a huge fan base, so I'm certain he'll get tons of 10s...BUT he's also has more than one ex-boyfriend in the gay porn industry that he isn't exactly on aonderful terms with, I wonder if any of Christian's many gay porn flings hold enough of a grudge to vote for him at 1..repeatedly. He also has some stiff (pun intended) competition with Steve Pena (also known as the boyfriend to porn megastar Brent Everett), who is Mr. San Diego (but we'll have more on him in out next entry). Whomever wins, JUB congratulates them both on making it this far and wish them all the best. The Mr. Gay USA pageant will be held in Palm Springs, CA.