Mr. Gay Europe 2007 Crowned

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY -- Jackson Netto (25) from Germany took home the crown of Mr. Gay Europe Saturday evening. The event took place at the Hungarian State Circus in Budapest, Hungary, where 21 delegates from The Canary Islands in the south to Lapland in the north competed for the title.

From the 21 Delegates, they were narrowed down to 12 semi finalists: Mr Gay Swim Wear: Jackson Netto (Germany), The People's Choice: Stefan Onland (The Netherlands), Jon Rice (Ireland), Emanuel (Romania) Jens Taghon (Belgium), Marius Svela (Norway), who Thursday also won the No. 1 Talent, Diego Gerolimi (Italy), Eugeniu (Moldova), Mikey Robinson, (Northern Ireland) and Mark Carter (United Kingdom) and Leonardo Luiz Murilo (Gran Canaria)

United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany went on to a super final, where Germany took home the crown.

Among the judges were Nathan Shaked, The International Mr. Gay, and Martha Wash of The Weather Girls. Wash performed "It's Raining Men" (of course) for the grand finale complete with fireworks, water fountains and the happy finalists dancing.

The new Mr. Gay Europe is 25 years old and from the city of Stuttgart and is currently studying in Liverpool, "When I was a child I used to be overweight. At the age of 15 I lost 25 kilos of weight, took care of my nutrition and did sports to keep in shape. To be able to enter the Mr Gay Europe competition was be a huge step for me, a great reward for the effort and discipline that I’ve had all these years. To be honest it is a dream come true."

"I've lived 12 years in India and 12 years in Germany. Currently I’m doing my studies in the United Kingdom. I’ve been able to learn and experience a lot in all these different cultures. And I know how important it is for people to have role models to hold on to, to feel comfortable with their sexuality and to be proud of themselves for what they are. It is a great honor for me to represent the gay community", says Jackson Netto, the new Mr. Gay Europe.