2017 has begun already which also makes it time again for the search of a new Mister Gay Belgium. 
The twelve contestants for 2017 are known for the public and introduced at the Press Event in February. They are eager to take over the reign and title of Mister Gay Belgium 2016 Raf Van Puymbroeck. They have their own message to bring out to the world and will show why they should be named as Mister Gay Belgium 2017 at the 27th of May in Antwerp. Time again like every year for PINK IN OUR LIVES to put all candidates separately in the spotlight and give a taste of who they are. We have met them all and they are a fine and friendly group of guys and the eigth candidate of this series of interviews will be Gerrit Noerens.
Gerrit Noerens is 38 years old, Lifestyle coach and is living in Welle (East-Flanders). He did his coming out in 2001 and his project is about “Breaking taboo and stigma about HIV”.
What is the reason you joined this election of Mister Gay Belgium?
“Being selected to the final “golden” twelve candidates is for me a conformation that I worked a lot at myself as a 
person and gave a boost to my confidence. I also came from far, but when there is a will, there is a way. I like to stand up for others and seeing people happy, without prejudice, is a beautiful gift. Unfortunately the suicide numbers are increasing again, which means lots of LGBT people are not feeling good. Self-acceptance is crucial here, then you get respect back.5 December 2015 came an emotional point in my life: I heard I was HIV positive….In the meantime I found out that lots of seropositive people need something or someone to hold on. They need a figurehead!!! I want to break stigma, taboo and sensitization. Don’t worry, lots of work ahead….But off we go!!!”
To whom did you do your first coming out and how?
“At the end of April 1999, I told my former girlfriend and short thereafter my parents I had bisexual 
feelings. This started a rollercoaster of feelings and led up to my homosexuality. I planned my life with a wife and 2 kids….It took to 2003, before I could figure it all out and could make new future plans. But I have never had any problems with the fact I was gay. The acceptance of a different kind of future took longer.”
What does the Gay Pride mean for you and do we still need such a parade these days?
“Gay Pride means for me a way to express emotions, carrying out our Pride and to show the world in an expressive way who we are and how we feel. Cancelling Gay Pride is not done: you can’t and may not cancel a way where LGBT people can show their equality and letting society know we should have the same rights like everybody else. Gay Pride is much more than a Parade.”
What features/personality does your ideal man has to have and like which hunk does he have to look like?
“My ideal man is the man who look handsome, because of his presence and personality. Pure looking 
on looks are Sean D’hondt and Louis Talpe men who tickle my bones…..”
What advice would you give to young gays that did not come out of the closet yet?
“Accept yourself and don’t let anybody else predict your life of who you should be. Show your emotions 
and explain how you feel. You only live once, so enjoy it!!!”
Short reactions on the following words/statements:
Favorite country: “Belgium, a bit patriotic can’t hurt! (progressive and open-minded)”
Donald Trump: “Daring, but everybody deserves a chance”
Your superhero(es): “My closest family and friends”
Fetish: “Emotional: friendly people and sexual: sexy underwear!”
Marriage or children: “1-0 and hopefully very fast 1-1”
Pink In Our Lives: “Handy and fun”
Biggest fear: “Not to be able to enjoy life,…..and bugs!!!”
Boxers or briefs: “Briefs of Andrew Christian”
Great Gay Party: “La Demence”
First love: “My grandmother!!!”
Worst quality of yourself: “Being late”
Best quality of yourself: “Generous”
Perfect hair or beautiful outfit: “If your hair is perfect, than even a lesser outfit will be perfect”
Best Body part: “Can I be really honest here? ;p….Okay, I will say my legs then”
Goal in your life: “Seeing other happy and being happy myself”
Biggest Idol: “People whom I can learn from to be successful”
Breakfast in bed or dinner for 2: “Dinner for 2!!!”
Mister Gay Belgium: “An unique opportunity to become an ambassador for a certain target group and a theme close to my heart!”
Thank you for your answers Gerrit and for letting my readers and your voters getting to know you better. You can vote for him through this link with OutTv: https://app.je/entry/53799
May the best GAY Ambassador win!!! Thank you also photographers Johan Vos, Marc Drofmans, Tom Vaes, Kevin Wuyts, Emmanuel Deprijckere, René Emmerink and Johan Cansse for the great pictures of all the candidates and www.welovemisses.be for the videos.
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Big kiss,
Lesley Middleton, owner of PINK IN OUR LIVES