How Gay Gymnast Dashiell Sears 'Swallowed' His Way To Mr. Gay Philly
By: Daniel Villarreal
7.23.2012
Just because openly-gay gymnastics hopeful Josh Dixon won't be competing in London this year doesn't mean the end of rising gay stars in gymnastics. Case in point: Dashiell Sears.
Out magazine caught up with the 21-year-old pocket gay (he's 5'2") and found out that not only is he an accomplished senior member of Philadelphia college’s men’s gymnastics team, but he also became the youngest Mr. Gay Philadelphia ever when he won the pageant last year.
But what's even cooler is how he won:
“That was when [one of the pageant judges] was like, ‘Can you do a backflip for us?’ ” Sears says. “I did a backflip. I did another one and then a third one. And the judges were, like, ‘Do other stuff!’ I did some flares and I did a handstand and pressed all the way down, just hovering above the ground—it’s called a swallow. And they were like, ‘Oh my gosh!’”
This impromptu routine -- executed in black box-cut Lycra -- practically guaranteed his victory, but it was a rogue personal appeal, during the Q&A round, which sealed the deal. The question: Who is your favorite male designer? The answer: “ ‘Could I talk to Michael Musto?’ ” Sears remembers asking.
“I sat down on the stage and I told him how I had a friend in high school who was bisexual and committed suicide. She had always talked about him and thought he was really funny and really insightful. I just wanted to say, ‘I’m really glad that you are here.’"
The night ended in tears -- from the audience -- and Sears became the youngest Mr. Gay Philadelphia winner in the pageant’s five years. (His favorite designer, by the way, is Calvin Klein, “because I like the underwear.”)
It's pretty impressive from a guy who, Out says, seems "shy, wholesome and aloof." Plus, he's got a great attitude when it comes to being out in the sport and keeping a level head despite his recent rush of press attention.
Take a look at Out and read the whole interview there.
