The Gay Agenda

What's your agenda? Tune in Wednesdays from 8-9 pm EST as your host James Hipps, the managing editor of gayagenda.com brings you the latest in LGBT news and issues with special guest. This week's guest is the runner up in the Mr. Gay USA 2010 contest, Troy Michael Smith! Troy put Connellsville, PA - a small town of less than 10,000 outside of Pittsburgh on the map when he was named second runner-up at the USA Mr. Gay competition in Dallas, Texas back in November of 2009. This is the first time in the contest's 5 year history that Pittsburgh was represented. Troy is a 22-year-old graduate student in legal studies at California University of Pennsylvania. According to Pittsburgh Live: Troy raised more than $1,000 for the Noble Beast Foundation in six days. The athletic competition involved running 100-yard dashes that eliminated the last-place finisher in each heat. The competition also included a private interview, modeling in swimwear, formal wear and sportswear and a final public question." The pageant but a fun event designed to overturn the gay stereotype, Smith said. The nonprofit Noble Beast Foundation benefits from funds raised by the Mr. Gay competition. After competing, Smith received a modeling offer, one of three contestants to do so. Brian Sloan, an international celebrity photographer, will work with Smith in January. Troy also aspires to become "America's next gay civil rights leader" as an advocate for the LGBT community. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Smith said he was inspired to enter the competition by his sister's struggle with breast cancer. Cameron Smith of Dunellen, N.J., had a double mastectomy and is undergoing chemotherapy. He said he was also driven by the reaction of high school friends who stopped speaking to him when he revealed his homosexuality. "I applaud those who disapprove," he said. "Your hate for me has driven me to do big things."