Former Mr Gay World slapped with defamation suit by pageant organiser

A South African television presenter and activist who resigned as Mr Gay World 2021 two months into his reign has vowed never to enter another pageant after the organisers slapped him with a defamation lawsuit for speaking out against the organisers' alleged lack of transparency.

A legal battle is playing out between Louw Breytenbach — who was crowned in October last year — and Gay World Events, the Gay World Foundation and its co-founders John-Louis O'Neil and Johann Dion van Niekerk.

The foundation is seeking an order from the Pretoria high court for 31-year-old Breytenbach to retract statements he made to the media regarding his short tenure as a Mr Gay World winner.

He resigned in December saying he was unhappy about the lack of transparency on how the foundation conducted its business and refused to sign a contract, saying he had issues relating to remuneration.

Breytenbach alleged the organisation would not divulge how Mr Gay World Foundation's funds were managed.

The organisation is also suing Breytenbach's publicist, Gavin Prins.

Breytenbach and Prins are opposing the application.

Mr Gay World Foundation said in a statement to the Sunday Times that Breytenbach's “defamatory allegations” equated to an “unfounded smear campaign that has caused reputational harm to those concerned”.

The foundation said the court application was launched against Breytenbach and his publicist to protect the parties “from future harm and to request the removal of the defamatory publications”.

“The relief sought against Mr Breytenbach and Mr Prins is to cease and desist from spreading false information about the Mr Gay World brand and its co-founders. 

“In December 2021, Breytenbach published a press release and attended to a radio interview wherein he alleged and implied that the parties mentioned were dishonest and fraudulent.

“The rights of Gay World Events, Gay World Foundation, and its co-founders remain strictly reserved, not only in total but also to supplement the content of this statement at any time in the future, pending the outcome of the litigation.”

Breytenbach hit back at the foundation's accusation of him being behind a smear campaign.

“I do not have any reason to smear the company — my only question, often relayed to the company and in interviews — was to ask them where the money went to.”

Breytenbach said he was responsible for costs he incurred as a title holder, had to pay towards the accommodation and food costs of the contestant who took over from him as Mr Gay World when he resigned.

“I do not deem the statements defamatory. I have only spoken out for the sake of the LGBTQIA+ community and could no longer serve in a role that did not reflect my morals and ethics.”

He said he presented evidence to court from previous winners “who all echo the same sentiments and who all have questions about transparency and inclusion matters within the pageant”. 

“I have spent more than R50,000 defending myself until advocate Quintin Steyn and lawyers took my case pro bono.

“This has put me through living hell. My only purpose of entering was to serve my community.

“I think pageants have got away with letting young gay men buy into the hype of 'fame' without proving how they help the community. That they sue contestants who speak out rather than address the key issues is baffling.

“Will I enter another pageant? No.”

He said he will continue with his charity work and being a voice for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Prins said he was baffled at why he is also facing legal action.

“In December 2021 I was appointed by Louw Breytenbach as his publicist, who indicated that he wished to resign as Mr Gay World.

" My job was very clear — to generate publicity surrounding his resignation. Nothing in the press release is what I said. I acted on behalf of Louw.”

Steyn said supplementary affidavits have been submitted to court on behalf of Breytenbach and Prins.

The organisers have until Friday to reply.