Mr. Gay USA Wins Mr. Gay 2006 International

PALM SPRINGS, CA (U.S. Newswire) -- In a cliffhanger competition, where a tie-breaker was averted on a second ballot, the first ever Mr. Gay 2006 International title was captured by San Diego's Jesse Bashem, who -- just one hour earlier -- had won the title of U.S.A. Mr. Gay.

The Competition, which took place at the Riviera Resort in Palm Springs, California, Columbus Day Weekend -- October 7-9, 2005 included eleven additional contestants from cities such as, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Palm Springs, and national representatives from the Netherlands, Norway, Lappland, Bulgaria and Bosnia-Herzegovenia.

Austria's Aaron Michael Jackson was the first runner up and Germany's Suat Bahceci landed in the second runner up slot.

The title for Mr. Congeniality, voted on by his fellow contestants, was awarded to Palm Springs resident Robert (Bobby) Ficco Jr., leading Mayor Ron Oden (also a competition judge) to comment, "How gratifying to see a Palm Springs resident recognized for what the city prides itself on, a friendly nurturing community to all the world's visitors."

"Competitions such as these have been popular in Europe for years and we're thrilled to now have a U.S. based component looking for the 'boy next door' to represent the broader gay community," said Producer Don Spradlin. "The winner will serve as a spokesman to raise the visibility of gay men, humanize gays in the media, create a positive role model and confront homophobia in today's culture."