Meet the Queer of the Year!

The votes have been counted and Montreal has announced a winner in the“Queer of the Year” contest. Sean Horlor of Vancouver, British Columbia won the ultimate title after a week of fierce competition amongst four other competitors.

 

Throughout Montreal’s Pride festivities last week, the contestants showed the world how they can heat it up in the kitchen, behind the camera, on stage and through the streets of Montreal (keeping it clean, of course, during a fund-raiser carwash). All of the excitement was captured on film and posted at www.queeroftheyearcontest.com where viewers were able to keep up with the action and vote for their favorite contestants.

 

At the end of the competition, Sean Horlor was the finalist with the most public votes combined with the most points from the judges, winning the ultimate title of QUEER OF THE YEAR. After taking part in the parade on Sunday, August 15, which marked the end of Montreal’s Pride Week celebrations, Sean enjoyed the Montreal VIP treatment (a designer shopping spree with a personal stylist, spa pampering package and a Montreal gourmet dining experience).

 

And the winner is...

Sean Horlor - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – age 29

Although he placed second in many of the challenges, Sean’s charm made him a big hit with viewers and even cast mates who weren’t shy about flirting with him from day one! His calendar shots (taken during the “Sex Appeal” challenge) were as colorful as his impersonation of “Scary Spice” (as seen during the “Dream Academy Drag Makeover”). Sean’s love for Montreal might make it difficult to return to Vancouver where he is a social columnist and co-host of the OUTtv original series “Don’t Quit Your Gay Job.”

 

Some highlights of Sean’s week in Montreal included visits to:

·         Parking Nightclub - http://www.parkingbar.com

·        Strom Spa - http://www.stromspa.com

·        Pica Pica - http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/Cuisine/Restaurants/pica-pica

·        Ateliers & Saveurs - a Montreal cooking school http://www.ateliersetsaveurs.com

·        Le Saloon - http://www.lesaloon.ca

Montreal to crown Queer of the Year

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy...been there, Queer as Folk...done that. Now it’s time to tell your story. In celebration of the diversity, individuality and pride within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, Montreal is launching a global campaign in search of the Queer of the Year!

Whether you’re a do-gooder, a diva, the average guy next door, a girl just out of the closet or anywhere in between, from now through July 15, Montreal wants you to visit www.queeroftheyearcontest.com and show the world that you have what it takes! Participants are required to enter a one-minute video and submit applications explaining why they would be a perfect contestant. People will be judged on the following 5 criteria: personality, community involvement, sex appeal, healthy lifestyle and yes, even talent! The competition will be strong, so participants should rally Facebook friends, Twitter followers and family to vote for them.

The top 20 participants with the most public votes on July 15th will then be interviewed by a panel of judges. From that group, five finalists will be selected to visit Montreal for an expenses-paid week during Montreal Pride (August 9-16), where they’ll explore one of the most LGBT-friendly cities on Earth and compete in a variety of challenges and activities. Ready to strut, smile and show what they’ve got, the finalists will be in the company of a film crew capturing all of the excitement. Website viewers will then be able to keep up with the action and vote for their favorite contestants. At each day’s challenge, judges will attribute points based on specific criteria.

At the end of Pride Week, the finalist with the most public votes, combined with most points from the judges, will be declared the winner. That person will win a VIP weekend in Montreal for two, a chance to take part in the Montreal Pride parade…and the ultimate title of QUEER OF THE YEAR!