Tony is the newly elected Mr Gay Germany Anyone who now thinks that the contestants only ran around in skimpy swimming trunks is mistaken. The competition - in which I KNOW WHAT I DO sat on the jury for the first time - is all about content. Between interview requests from New Zealand, Australia and the USA, among others, Tony found time to talk to us about the election, his experiences in the community and his wishes.
"Gay, beautiful and hard of hearing" was a headline in the media about your election. What do you think when you read such clichéd headlines?
That's very creative: I was described three times with the first letter "sh". (laughs). Oh, the media have to attract attention somehow with their stories, so sometimes there's a headline like that. That doesn't annoy me. My hearing impairment is no secret, I'm not uptight about it. And the fact that I'm gay is probably the case when you're elected Mr Gay Germany. And I'd better not say anything more about the other "sh" and just be happy.
How were the first few days after your election as Mr Gay Germany?
The first night I couldn't sleep at all because I was so excited. I really thought to myself "Shit, what am I going to do now?" Of course I was happy, but I also wondered what was in store for me, because I now have a role model function.
After the election, there was a photo shoot for the men's magazine on the Sunday and I gave five interviews on the following Monday. I've been invited to art openings, was a spectator at the Mr Germany competition and have been travelling a lot.
What was the reaction to your choice?
After the election, I called my grandma first. My parents were already asleep. (laughs). My whole family is super proud of me. And at school and with my handball mates, everyone congratulated me and wanted to take a selfie. Even a former teacher said she was proud of me.
What does it mean for you to "Mr Gay Germany" to be? What are you trying to achieve with the title?
First of all, it's an honour for me to hold this title. As Mr Gay Germany, I see myself as an ambassador for the gay community, which is made up of many different scenes. Nevertheless, these scenes have something that unites them: the goal of equality. I want to be a spokesperson for this in public and campaign for marriage for all or for diversity in schools, for example.
To become Mr Gay Germany, you had to develop a campaign. Tell us about it.
My campaign is called "New Tomorrow" and campaigns against homophobia. I experienced homophobia myself and was bullied and beaten up at my old school. With "New Tomorrow", I want the bullies to think about their own actions. And I want to give those who have experienced homophobia some of the strength I have gained and show them how they too can go their own way. So that we no longer have to hide in the future and there will be a "new tomorrow". As Mr Gay Germany, I can now develop this campaign further and I'm looking forward to it.
Hand on heart: what advantages do you have because of your looks?
I notice that people look at me in the clubs. But I also ask myself why they're looking: do they see the hearing aids? Do they think it's funny how I dance or what ...
And I also often get messages on dating portals. But very often I'm just reduced to my looks. The first message is "Do you want to fuck?" and that pisses me off. That's why I once deleted my profiles. Beauty somehow makes you blind. They no longer see me, Tony, but only the outer shell and aren't interested in me as a person.
What I find really cool are guys who may not be at the top of the beauty scale, but who are self-confident about themselves. If they are then interested in me and want to get to know me, they gain a lot of charisma and that ultimately makes them attractive.
When you flirt or socialise with boys, is your hearing impairment an issue?
It's not an issue online. It's only when you write longer that questions come up and I often get the reaction "Cool that you're so open about it". In real life, however, it has often happened that someone says "Can't you speak sensibly?"
I also have to say that other senses are somehow more pronounced due to my handicap. I can sense when someone is rather "anti" or "aggro". When someone like that approaches me, I'm more cautious and reserved.
Do you have prejudices yourself and how do you deal with them?
I think everyone has prejudices. Even me. When I party with friends, I concentrate on them. But if there's someone there who's behaving really conspicuously or has a really blatant outfit, I ask myself "What's going on? What's going on with him?" But I usually keep that to myself. And yes, I do talk shit sometimes, but not that much, because I've experienced it myself and know how it feels when people talk shit about you.
What does it mean to you to be a role model?
Above all, I want to be seen for what I am: a gay man who is not perfect and has had some bad experiences. And yet I've gone my own way and have now even been voted Mr Gay Germany. I want the community to see me as a role model to give them the courage to stand up for themselves. I want to impress people with my achievements and not with the way I look.
"I wish for world peace and ..." - What is your wish for the community?
John Lennon and "Imagine" immediately spring to mind when I hear this question. Every one of us should try to bring at least a little of that into the community. Do I have to insult someone straight away? Do I have to badmouth others just because I don't like their clothes or their crooked nose? Acceptance is the most important thing. If we are all a little more accepting, then we are on the right track.
More about Tony on his Facebook fan page
