IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE QUEER!

MONTREAL PRIDE WELCOMES “QUEER OF THE YEAR” FINALISTS TO SERVE AND TURN AND WIN BIG MONEY

Montreal, Quebec (August 15, 2012) – Whether you’re looking for a summer thrill or to get down by watching stiff competition go at it, Montréal is calling you. Five “Queer of the Year” 2012 finalists are off to Montréal to snatch that crown. It’s that time of queer again!

Tourisme Montréal has been teasing the “Queer of the Year” freaky fanbase by revealing the five fresh faces one by one online, sprinkling in cheeky content (oh yes, they’ve been going to those places) over the last six weeks. The five finalists are now being brought to Montréal, one of the world’s most LGBT-friendly cities, to bring it throughout Montréal Pride Week (August 11 through August 19). Social experiments have been designed with good times in mind, based on personality, community involvement, sex appeal, healthy lifestyle and talent. Now it’s up to the fans to separate the fabulous from the anti-fierce.

Meet the Finalists:

Caleb Judy (Connecticut, United States) a.k.a., Son of a preacher man
This son of a pastor with a Masters in Biomedical Anthropology and a pro sign language interpreter is tall, handsome, fit and selfless. We love him already. And so does everyone he touches (not literally, of course).

Topher McFarlane (Ontario, Canada) a.k.a., The Glamazon
Our second finalist says he “brings down walls and connects people.” No, it’s not Bob the Builder – it’s Topher McFarlane: stand-up comic, drag show organizer, community activist and occasional Zac Efron stalker. What’s not to love?

Ivette Gonzalez-Ale (Brooklyn, United States) a.k.a., Brooklyn Badass
This Cuban-Mexican bombshell of a finalist feels just as home on the dance floor as she does at…home. A self-proclaimed badass housewife with an appetite for Oaxacan cuisine and salsa music, she’s also an entrepreneur, designer, and creative director of her own genderqueer fashion line.

Shane Jenek (Sydney, Australia) a.k.a., Down Under Diva
He hails from Down Under, loves yoga, and is sometimes a she. Meet Shane Jenek aka Courtney Act, our 30-year old fabulous gender illusionist and pop singer. He says he’s never met a person who has as much fun as he does. Judging from his stage performances, neither have we.

Peter Picciano (Palm Beach, United States) a.k.a., Muscles
With abs to kill for and a magnetic personality, our fifth finalist makes friends easily. When he’s not working out, he’s working the crowd at LGBT fundraisers and community events. Looks like a fighter, acts like a lover.

Queers Give Good Facebook
Throughout Montreal Pride Week, the fivefinalists will be captured on film in episodes co-produced by digital artist Joe Sabia who is already hard at work having created Queers Through the Years and 33 Quips for Queers. Through August 31, viewers can keep up with the action online and vote for their favorite contestants on Facebook. Closing ceremonies will include a final episode with the nomination of the 2012 “Queer of the Year.”

Multiple Partners?
One winner will receive a round-trip air ticket on Air Canada and three free nights at Hotel Le Germain to return to Montréal for a future visit, along with $5,000 CAD in spending cash. The four runners-up will receive a $1,000 CAD cash prize. Montréal Pride is the event partner for Queer of the Year. This is a community-driven, not-for-profit organization overseen by members of the businesses community, local LGBTA associations and event-planning and tourism industry representatives. The Queer of the Year finalists will be flown to Montréal on Air Canada. Hotel Le Germain Montréal is the official hotel partner, providing accommodations to all contestants and the production team.

For more information, prize info, rules or the latest Montreal LGBT news…

• Visit Tourism Montreal “Queer of the Year” Facebook page and become a fan: http://www.facebook.com/QOTYcontest
• Visit Tourism Montreal’s Gay Life blog: www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/gay-life/
• Follow Tourism Montreal “Queer of the Year” on Twitter: www.twitter.com/QOTYcontest #QOTY2012