Gscene’s own Valleys boyo, Eric Page, catches up with the rather hunky Mr Gay Wales, Ben Brown, to see what’s occurring and how he won that lush sash!
Have you a St David’s Day message for us?
“Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus or Happy St David’s Day! Eat plenty of Welsh cakes, don’t skip leg day at the gym, drink a protein shake with extra peanut butter (my signature dish) and have a lot of beer.”
You served with 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh, why did you join?
“I joined the armed forces although I actually really wanted to be in the fire service. At 19 I was working in a clothes store and was on a public service course in college and I found out you had to be 21 to join the fire service. I said ‘sod this, I’m not working in retail for two more years’ so walked into the army careers office and enlisted. Whilst serving I learnt a hell of a lot, I was a fully trained soldier. I was taught the drills and skills necessary to be effective member of the Royal Welsh Battalion, one of the largest infantry regiments. I also learned about where my courage lay. Being part of a highly trained unit taught me discipline and values to live by and I still try to live by them. I was posted all over the world: Belgium, France, America, Cyprus, Africa and Afghanistan to name a few.
“Being gay in the army was challenging. I remember having to sneak my boyfriend onto the base on the weekends. Being gay in the army is difficult as many people have this stigma that people aren’t allowed to be gay in the forces. I want to raise awareness and let people know it’s okay. When people learned I was gay they were fine and it was all very relaxed.”
You’ve been a pretty lush Mr Wales, why did you enter the competition?
“After leaving the army I was homeless and it was a tough time for me. My boyfriend finished with me, I was devastated and very down. I needed a push and some motivation to pull me through. I entered Mr Gay Wales to get me through this difficult time and to channel my negative energy into something positive and I also wanted to raise awareness about LGBT people in the armed forces. It can be tough for us, but it’s getting better. I wanted to help people struggling with it themselves in the army. Since then I’ve been honoured to be an ambassador for Shelter Cymru to raise awareness of homelessness. In Wales there’s over 16,000 homeless people.”
I saw you marching with the army in your sash at Pride in Cardiff, how did that feel?
“Marching with the army at Cymru Pride was spectacular, it was the first time the armed forces marched in Wales Pride, it was a huge achievement and a right step for the armed forces. I hope they were as proud of me as I was of them.”
How have your army mates been about you becoming a gay sex symbol and international representative of Gay Wales?
“International sex symbol, Welsh hunk and now Gscene cover pin-up, that’s a new one! My army mates are very supportive of everything I’ve achieved. They’re very proud of Mr Gay Wales. When I won I had messages from my officers congratulating me and still get messages saying how well I’ve done after leaving the forces.”
What does being Welsh mean to you today?
“Being Welsh for me is all about being patriotic and proud of where I’m from – which is Wales NOT England, I’m not English. I’m Welsh and British, it’s an important distinction. When I start-up about it, my partner, who’s in Germany, says ‘oh you’re in the UK mood again’.”
Are all Welsh men as hot as you?
“In a nutshell, yes! But I doubt they’ll find a better Mr Gay Wales than me.”
Who’s your dream threesome?
“Ha ha, cheeky! Austin Wolf (don’t google him on the work computer) and Christian Bale.”
What’s been good about the last year and what are you up to at the moment?
“My proudest moment was winning Mr Congeniality in the Mr Gay Europe competition. It was a massive confidence boost, I felt people actually looked up to me, and they would come to me if they have any issues which was very rewarding. I might not have won the competition but you don’t need a big title to be successful! One Direction only got third place in X-Factor and look at them now. My year’s been amazing. I’ve been so busy year this year, my work with Shelter Cymru as an ambassador is superb. I’ve got lot of trips planned and working hard at the gym and concentrating on my body ready for next year’s goal, to compete in Mr Leather.”
Ben, you’re big, strong and beautiful with a killer smile – what gives you such hope and where can folk find out more about you?
“This smile is really getting me through and persistence gives me hope. When you’re down always think that it’s only going to be for a short period of time, be determined and fight through,” (he beams a big beautiful smile), “Ha ha, check my Instagram: mrgaywales_benjgram89. Be warned – I’m half naked.”
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