China Plans First Gay Pageant

A high-profile gay pageant is planned for the first time in China to select the country's entrant in a worldwide competition.

The winner of the Mr. Gay China contest, scheduled for January 15 at a club in Beijing, will represent China at the Mr. Gay World competition in Norway in February, according to Agence France-Presse.

"There will be sportswear and swimsuit segments, a Q&A session, and a panel of judges will select the winner based on overall performance," spokesman Ben Zhang told AFP.

Anyone who lives in China may apply online to enter the pageant.

Gay issues remain a sensitive topic in China, the world's most populous country, where gay people were officially classified as mentally ill until 2001.