MR GAY WORLD 2012

out in 70A DNA frica Not so much tears and tiaras as pecs and death threats, the Mr Gay World fi nals in this year attracted delegates from around the world and some very African drama. DNA Editor, Andrew Creagh, was one of the judges. He fi les this insider’s view of the event and considers the consequences of staging a pro-gay event on a hostile continent. Photography by Noel Posus. frica DNA 71 FEATURE

Top row, left to right: Misters France, Brazil, USA, , , , and . Middle row: Switzerland, , , Canada, , Ireland. Bottom: Mexico, Netherlands, , Argentina, Finland, Czech Republic, and Chile.

hen we think about the on-going entering. This apparent victory, however, was historic speech to the United Nations Human struggle for gay rights around the overshadowed. Rights Council in Geneva, in which he called world, many of us go straight to the A Zimbabwean delegate, Taurai Zhanje, was on all countries to protect the rights of LGBT Wmarriage equality campaigns that dominate announced but withdrew shortly after, citing citizens – a speech boycotted by African and the debate in Western democracies. But in “personal reasons”. Islamic nations who wanted to maintain the other parts of the world, gay rights is literally “We are sad to lose Taurai,” said the right to persecute gays and lesbians. a struggle for life. Many nations in Africa, event’s Director For Africa, Coenie Kukkuk Even before the first delegate had landed the Middle East and Eastern Europe actively in a press statement, “but in Africa, the at O.R. Tambo International Airport in oppress and persecute their gay, lesbian and personal sacrifice for gay and human rights is Johannesburg, South Africa, there was trans citizens. So I was excited by the prospect sometimes too much to expect from people. controversy. After being named as Namibia’s of the 2012 Mr Gay World finals being held in Taurai already made a very brave stand against delegate to Mr Gay World, Wendelinus Johannesburg, South Africa. the oppression of the rights of gay, lesbian, Hamutenya, was beaten up. He says he’s not Previously the event has been hosted by bisexual, transsexual and intersex persons and sure if the attack was a hate crime; he suspects Los Angeles, Whistler in Canada and we have to respect his decision. We wish him his assailants may simply have wanted to in Norway - all cities that could easily be and his family only the best for the future.” steal his prize money. More seriously, since described as gay friendly. Even Manilla in The subtext here is that threats were made announcing his involvement in the event, 2011, despite the overbearing presence of the against Taurai, his family, their jobs and their Ethiopia’s candidate, Robel Hailu, has received Catholic Church, welcomed the Mr Gay World physical safety if he competed. Why? Because anonymous death threats and threats have finals with open arms and accorded it a great in many parts of Africa, the prevailing opinion been made against his family. Not that his deal of respect. To stage the event in South is that gay people don’t really exist, or that family are particularly supportive. His father’s Africa, I felt, brought the issue of gay civil rights if they do it’s because some sort of immoral advice was that Robel commit suicide to to the frontline. This is where the fight is. Western disease has corrupted them. Or redeem himself, he has forbidden any member It’s no coincidence that the 2010 and 2011 worse, they are possessed by a demon. For of the family from making further contact with Mr Gay World titles were won by South a man to voluntarily and proudly identify him and has cut him off financially. Africans (Charl Van Den Berg and Francios as homosexual is very confronting to this And so the Mr Gay World roadshow rolled Nel respectively). Both demonstrated a depth African way of thinking. There are those in into Johannesburg against this backdrop of of knowledge of gay civil rights issues and a South Africa who believe in the “corrective both grassroots and institutional homophobia determination to make a positive difference rape” of lesbians in which women suspected on the African continent. that impressed the judges, of which I was one. of being homosexual are raped in order to While he was Mr Gay World, one of turn them heterosexual. It’s a barbaric concept Disembarking from the 15 hour flight from Charl’s goals was to encourage delegates that fundamentally misunderstands the nature Sydney and collecting my luggage, I spot from other African nations to compete – of human sexuality, and an appalling crime Namibia’s Wendelinus Hamutenya. Despite and with considerable success. 2012’s event against women. being the victim of the recent attack, he seems saw delegates from Namibia and Ethiopia In March this year came Ban Ki-Moon’s irrepressibly confident and flamboyant, with

72 DNA a rock-star presence. Also disembarking is New Zealand’s German-born delegate Andreas Derleth. He’s enormous and friendly with a beautiful smile – a gentle giant. We’re staying at The Fairway Hotel And Golf Resort about an hour from the airport, so the drive through Johannesburg gives me my first taste of the country. Initially, Johannesburg looks like any other big, smoggy, city serviced by massive freeway arteries – except for the constant stream of people walking alongside the highways. Some sell fruit, sunglasses, novelties – anything to the passing traffic; others hold signs that advertise their skills for hire – plumber, carpenter, mechanic, etc. One of the Mr Gay World South Africa team, John O’Neil, tells us that Johannesburg is growing so fast that no one is exactly sure what the population From top: is. Unemployment, however, is very high and Mr Hong Kong, Jimmy it’s clear that people will do whatever they can Wong addresses the press to get by. conference at TheKevin Fairway Power Hotel; Mr USA, Johannesburg is commonly referred to as answers questions from the “Joburg”, and sometimes as “Egoli”, meaning South African media; Mr Gay World delegates “place of gold”, and occasionally as “Jozi”, prepare to meet which seems altogether too breezy and carefree the media. considering the amount of poverty visible along just this stretch of highway. The Fairway is a luxurious, five-star hotel on a beautiful, well-watered golf course protected by fences, gates and 24-hour security personnel. With the nation’s father, Nelson Mandela, gravely ill and the economy struggling, it’s faintly reassuring to read the headline on the day’s tabloid: “Lost Snake Found”. At an orientation briefing at the hotel, delegates, producers, event coordinators and judges are all introduced and the day-to- day ground rules of the week-long event are explained in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Then the delegates swap gifts and slip into their official MGW 2012 T-shirts and head to a press conference for South Africa’s waiting media. About 20 media organisations are present. Coenie Kukkuk talks about the significance of staging an event like Mr Gay World in South Africa. The media are most interested in speaking to Mr USA Kevin Power, Mr Hong Kong Jimmy Wong and, of course, Mr South Africa himself Lance Weyner. How can the event lead to positive change, they want to know? Lance points out that there are two delegates from African nations other than South Africa and that their presence here has created greater awareness and discussion of homosexuality in their home countries. Mr Gay World brings visibility and education to every city it visits. Press conference done it’s time to go bush and, with all the excitement of a school excursion, the MGW delegates pile into three buses and head off to the Askari Game Lodge And Spa. Although there are only 22 competing delegates, the Mr Gay World entourage is massive, consisting of event producers, >>

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>> regional producers, freelance media, “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, His English, which is usually very good, has two video crews, judges, Grand Final night the main indigenous language in this area of become difficult to understand under the stress. entertainers, sponsors and suppliers and a South Africa. There’s a poignant moment when The threats seem to indicate that they know buzz of associated assistants and helpers. the delegates, representing 22 countries from which hotel he’s at and say that he’ll be killed Coordinating accommodation and meals is a all around the world, stop to read a message here during the event. Robel believes that in full-time project similar, I imagine, to running a on the wall of the centre that reminds us that South Africa you can pay to have someone US presidential tour. even though we may look different, our DNA killed for as little at 20 Rand (about $2.40 in Arriving at the Askari Game Lodge in the is virtually identical – that there is only one Australian dollars). The hotel and the Mr Gay afternoon we’re in time to see hippopotami human race. The Maropeng visit showed us not World producers discretely bump up security. bathing in the lake outside the main house. only how we came to be human, but what it The South Africans treat it as just another Once checked into our cabins it’s straight into means to be human. administrative challenge. This situation isn’t the safari trucks to go in search of lions. Our next stop is the Lesedi African Lodge new to them. But to me it’s very confronting. The bigger personalities in the group have And Cultural Village, which maintains the What if Robel is killed? That would be too high already come to the fore. Jimmy Wong, Mr traditional practices of many of the indigenous a price to pay for bringing the issue of gay civil Hong Kong, is a professional dancer and is cultures from the area. After a dynamic rights to Africa. I’m staggered by Robel and constantly entertaining. Thomas Egli, Mr performance of traditional dance, the group Wendelinus’ bravery at simply being here. It’s an Canada, is softly spoken but hilarious. Steven visits a Zulu village but time is tight and soon interesting comparison to one of the First World Baitson, Mr Ireland, is loud and opinionated we’re back on the bus for a cultural experience delegates, who decided not to come to South but nevertheless charming. I’m struck by Robel of a very different kind: a visit to the home of Africa for the finals because the organisation Hailu of Ethiopia – he’s very small and slim – the Belgian Consul General to South Africa. wouldn’t guarantee First Class travel for him just a boy and, knowing that his life has been in is the host city for the and his boyfriend. threatened, seems incredibly vulnerable. He’s World Out Games in August 2013 and it will Despite the situation, Robel competes in quiet and not as outgoing as the others but also host the finals of Mr Gay World 2013 the Sports Challenge, which includes golfing, clearly happy to be in their company. as part of its Cultural Program. The Consul a relay race, water and bridge obstacle course We don’t have to drive very far to find the General in Johannesburg has decided to host and a surprise gay history quiz. Blue Team lions. It’s dusk and they’re frisky. I’m amazed at (Hong Kong, Mexico, Netherlands, Bulgaria and how close we get to them. Everyone’s cameras Ethiopia) win the team events. The individual get very busy. After the lions we see water top five are Andreas from New Zealand, buffalo, springbok, warthogs, ostrich, jackals The message on Thomas from Canada, Lance from South Africa, and a magnificent horse-sized antelope called the wall reminds us Benjamin Michael representing Australia and a kudu. The kudu’s horns twist dramatically Jussi Laitinen representing Finland. The climax upwards, his coat is striped and he has a fine that even though of the Sports Challenge sees all the delegates mane from his chin down his chest. He’s in a hotel pool wearing Bonewear swimwear beautiful. Our guide tells us that adolescent we look different, (a sponsor) as Lexus (another sponsor) flags males are kicked out of the herd as they become flutter above. But that’s only half the day… the mature and form herds of marauding single our DNA is virtually all-important Judges Interviews are coming up males. The kudu, it’s decided, is gay. this afternoon, and there’s a photoshoot. That night the Askari Lodge hosts a dinner identical. It’s a widely held misconception that the of traditional South African dishes including Mr Gay World competition is a male beauty springbok stew. Not surprisingly, it’s a bit gamey. an elegant garden party at his home to make pageant; it isn’t. Delegates are awarded points Next morning over breakfast at the main this announcement. Unfortunately, the GPS across a variety of categories. The judges are house, the judges decide to spring an on one of the buses has trouble locating the looking for a man who can publicly discuss impromptu interview on the delegates. With address, resulting in the driver needing to issues pertaining to gay rights around the world. only a few days to the whole competition we perform a three-point-turn on a shopping He must be media friendly and therefore well feel we need a crash course in who they are centre car park ramp. presented and photogenic. So categories like and what they’re about. One by one we invite Following the consular drinks the delegates Swimwear, Eveningwear and National Costume, them to our table and simply ask, “If you are whisked away to dinner at Melon restaurant all of which are judged on the night of the final were to become Mr Gay World, what would in the trendy Soho district of Johannesburg show, are important. However, the category that you want to achieve while you had the title?” followed by a visit to Plum nightclub in Pretoria. carries the most weight is the Judges’ Interview. Unprepared for this mini-interview, their At nighttime especially, security is a major This is an opportunity for the delegates to show answers range from the banal to the inspiring, concern in this city so buses and chaperones are us who they are, what motivates them, what from the practical to the unlikely. Meanwhile, an integral part of the coordination effort. their priorities are and how they intend using there’s an elephant outside! Day three begins with the Sports Challenge. the title to advance gay rights. It is always the An elephant at the lake is dispensing Luckily, we’re staying at a hotel with a golf most interesting part of the week and sadly, it is “kisses” to the delegates: a warm, wet, fleshy course so there’s no need to travel far to find not open to the public. blob of snotty water on the back of the head. wide, open spaces. The purpose of the Sports The Judges’ Interview can make or break a Wendelinus is lucky enough to get his kiss Challenge is to see which delegates demonstrate candidate. A man who looks amazing on stage right in the face. leadership qualities, how well they can work as in swimwear and photographs well but doesn’t Leaving Askari the MGW roadshow hits a team, and assess their communication skills. know anything about the oppression of Gay the highway and travels back in time – to It’s supposed to be all fun and games, but after Pride events in Moscow or the persecution of Maropeng, the World Heritage site where the breakfast Robel from Ethiopia approaches me, gay people in Africa and the Middle East, for hominids from which we all evolved lived some visibly upset. The death threats against him and example, is probably not going to win. He may three million years ago. Sometimes referred to his family, which have been coming as texts to look good on a magazine cover, but he needs to as The Cradle Of Humankind, Maropeng means his phone, have intensified and he’s frightened. be able to speak intelligently on behalf of gay >>

74 DNA Clockwise from top left: delegates on safari; a dominant male lion; Mr Namibia, Wendelinus Hamutenya gets a “kiss” from a local; Misters Canada, Mexico, Spain,Kong Ethiopia and Hong enjoy safari cocktails; the “gay” kudu.

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Sports Challenge Day, clockwise from top left: Mr Ireland rides Mr Canada; Team Yellow: Philippines, Argentina, Ireland and Canada; Team Purple: USA, New Zealand, Chile and Finland; Mexico and Finland rise to the challenge.

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Clockwise from top left: Weyner (South Africa)Kong, exhausted; Norway, Misters Hong Czech Republic and Australia; the victorious Team Blue: Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Mexico, Netherlands, with Kong; France beats Hong Mr Hong Kong at the turn; individual top four: Canada, Finland, New Zealand and Australia; Team Green: South Africa, Australia, Czechand Norway. Republic, Spain

DNA 77 Clockwise left to right: at the Ben Michael (Australia)(Ireland) and Baitson Steven Belgian reception; Thom Goderie Lesedi; (Netherlands) at(Brazil) The Fairway; at Martins Heverton Misters Bulgaria, France, Spain, Ethiopia and Norway at Nkosi’s (USA) and Haven; Tomas Powers Fryda (Czech Kevin Stephan Republic); (Ethiopia); Robel Hailu at Bitterlin (Switzerland) Askari Lodge; Jussi Laitinen (Finland).

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>> men around the world. South Africa is disheartening. A 2010 report “Chavdar is not only gay, but is also a gypsy... The interviews are confidential, so I can’t by Statistics South Africa claimed that 10.5 per obviously a man of another sexual orientation in report who said what or pass comment on how cent of the adult population were living with combination with Roma ethnicity is very, very well individual delegates performed. I can tell HIV, but among people aged 15 to 49 that figure bad, to say the least.” you, though, that Robel from Ethiopia spoke was closer to 17 per cent. About 30 per cent of Racism and homophobia expressed without very well. In spite of his trials, he was calm the pregnant women attending antenatal clinics apology or self-censorship in a written and articulate and spoke knowledgeably about were positive. In 2010 about 40,000 new cases of statement to an official government body? It’s African culture and bigger-picture issues. HIV were in children. As a result, Nkosi’s Haven hard to imagine living in such a country. With Sports Challenge, Judges’ Interview has become a kind of orphanage to the children The last official day of Mr Gay World is and a photoshoot all complete, it’s time for who are left behind when their mothers pass the Grand Final Show at the Lyric Theatre at the delegates to let off some steam at a away. Today, the Mr Gay World delegates The Gold Reef City Casino. The hosts for the local nightclub, Babylon. This means buses, bring books and toys for the kids. Some of the night are comedian Soli Philander and drag chaperones, dodgy GPS… the whole shebang. delegates would make great foster dads. personality Cathy Specific, tickets have sold But it’s worth it. Miguel Espinosa (Mr Mr Gay South Africa, Lance Weyer, a well and Johannesburg is abuzz. The Fairway Mexico) and Thom Goderie (Mr Netherlands) councillor with the Buffalo City municipality, Hotel seems strangely empty – the delegates burn up the floor with their dirty dancing. tells me that HIV education is frustratingly are all at the venue practicing walking. There’s There’s a great vibe between the delegates. difficult, especially in underprivileged areas. a lot of walking involved in a Grand Final and Despite their cultural differences and the fact “They see the posters, they know about it must be done in the right way at the right they barely know each other, they’re a close- condoms, they see their friends and family time. There’s a lot of standing still, too, and this knit, inclusive group. dying, but they still don’t protect themselves.” must be done on the right place on stage at the The next day, there are a few hangovers and Although generic brand Anti-Retroviral drugs right time. Although the delegates don’t dance a few “you’ll never guess what happened last have made treatment much cheaper, South in the show, getting the walking choreography night” stories, but everyone is on the bus as we Africa still spends tens of millions of dollars a right is essential. head off to the Apartheid Museum. It’s 30 years year on HIV medications. I’m not required to judge anything until since Apartheid was abolished here but it will this evening so I take the opportunity to ask take generations to heal the wounds, which one of my fellow judges, Frank Malaba, about are still clearly visible. I’m surprised to hear the concept of “African identity”. Frank is a some of the younger delegates say they don’t The threats indicate Zimbabwean actor, poet, radio broadcaster know about Apartheid: it was a racist political that they know and political dissident who now lives in South and social system that segregated black and Africa. I’ve seen and heard the phrase “African white South Africans, to the disadvantage of which hotel he’s at identity” several times over the last few days black South Africans. It created a tiered society and I’m puzzled by what it means. Africa in which black and “coloured” citizens were and say that he’ll be contains such a wide variety of peoples and deprived of voting rights, economic power cultures shaped by geography, politics, religion, and self-determination. How quickly we forget killed here during prosperity and poverty. How can there be a the atrocities we commit against each other. the event. single African identity? Apartheid is one of history’s lessons we should “When people talk about an African identity,” always remember. explains Frank, “they use it to denounce Tumelo Makgoara is a young journalist From one extreme to the other, the delegates homosexuality and to say it’s unAfrican and to volunteering as a media liaison for the Mr go straight from Nkosi’s Haven to the Redkin suggest that it’s a Western disease or corruption. Gay World producers. I ask him about Robel’s salon (a sponsor) for a pre-Grand Final trim. But my experience of Africa is different to other situation in Ethiopia and discover that Tumelo But the children of Nkosi are not forgotten. At people’s. In my culture it’s disrespectful to give has had his own horror story. When still a a charity auction later that night, the delegates something to someone with your left hand. student, he travelled with his school debating sell unique gifts from their home countries to a It’s inappropriate for me to call you by your team to compete in . At a service packed house of locals and raise nearly $20,000 first name if you’re older than me. But that’s station with one of the other students, he was for Nkosi’s Haven. unimportant in other African cultures. So it’s arrested by police because his shorts were It’s not just Africa that makes life difficult for important for me to define what an African too high. In Zimbabwe, men are not allowed the openly gay. Chavdar Arsov (Mr Bulgaria) is identity is in my own terms; one that represents to wear shorts that are higher than the knee a medal-winning athlete and was the national me and my sexuality.” otherwise they can be charged with “promoting coach of Bobsleigh And Luge Bulgaria until he At the theatre that night, Frank and I are homosexuality and deviance” – or so the participated in the Mr Gay Bulgaria competition placed in one of the royal boxes above the arresting officers claimed. There was no police in 2009. Afterwards, his coaching position auditorium like Waldolf and Statler from The vehicle to transport Tumelo and his classmate was withdrawn without formal explanation. Muppet Show. Except we aren’t as grumpy! to the station so they began walking under Informally, however, the words of Luge Bulgaria’s The show is excellent and includes pop police escort. His other classmates walked with federation president, Vergov George, made it performances by Japan’s Baby M, Russia’s them and began talking to the police officers. abundantly clear. He said, “Because of this faggot Kamaliya, indigenous song and dance and, of It soon became clear that if a bribe of 90,500 stories you should draw back.” This is a poor course, plenty of chances to see and hear more ZWD was paid in cash, the charges would translation of what was probably along the lines from the delegates: the Swimwear, Eveningwear be instantly dropped and the boys would go of: because of these gay stories about you, you and National Costume categories, the fashion free. The money, approximately $US250, was should withdraw from your position. show. They do a lot of walking and everyone scraped together. When Chavdar took his case to the is, indeed, in the right place at the right time. Our next stop is Nkosi’s Haven, a centre that Commission For Protect Against Discrimination, Some of the delegates who’ve been flying provides practical assistance to HIV-positive Vergov George submitted a statement that under my radar suddenly come alive in front women and their children. The level of HIV in made his position even more explicit. He wrote: of the large audience – Heverton Martins >>

DNA 79 In Bonewear Underwear Left to right: Heverton Bagaloni Martins (Brazil); Gonzalo Derleth Andreas (Argentina); (New Zealand); Jussi Laitinen (Finland) and Remy Frejaville Romo Christopher (France); and Thomas Terraza (Chile) Cervera Angel Egli (Canada); (Spain) and Lance Weyner (South Africa).

80 DNA National Costume highlights, left to right: Australia; France Gaultier); (outfit by Jean-Paul Finland’s sauna wear; Philippines winning entry; Ireland’s leprechaun; Canada’s lumberjack; Mexico and South Africa.

DNA 81 Grand Final Show Clockwise from left: Jimmy’s national costume; traditional performance; Alexander Steyn Francois performs; Andreas question; answers a difficult final-five takes Nel passes on(Netherlands) the Mr Gay World title; Thom Soli the Formalwear and Congeniality and Cathy Specific awards; appreciate Mr Australia; Mexico and Netherlands; Namibia and Ethiopia.

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>> (Mr Brazil), Thomas Fryda (Mr Czech Republic), Angel Cervera (Mr Spain) and Stephen Grindhaug (Mr Norway). Too soon, we come to the part of the show where the top ten are asked to step forward. Tonight they are: New Zealand, France, USA, Hong Kong, The Netherlands, South Africa, The Philippines, The Czech Republic, Canada and Australia. In the award categories, Gonzalo from Argentina wins the Photogenic Award (presented by me). Carlito Rosadino (Mr Philippines) wins both Best National Costume and People’s Choice (via online vote). Thom from the Netherlands wins best Eveningwear and Mr Congeniality. Andreas from New Zealand wins the Sports Challenge, the Swimwear and the Judges’ Interview. And then the final five: Netherlands is forth runner- From top: Mr New Zealand, up, USA is third runner-up, France is second Andreas Derleth, accepts the Mr Gay World 2012 trophy runner-up, South Africa is first runner-up, from MGW President, Eric making Mr Gay World 2012 Andreas Derleth Butter; Andreas is Mr Gay World 2012; the top five: of New Zealand. Kevin for the USA, Lance Andreas, who prefers to be called Andy, for South Africa, Andreas immediately began attracting media attention for New Zealand, Remy for France and Thom for from around the world and has since set out The Netherlands. goals for his year as the title-holder. Read more in DNA next month. “The role of Mr Gay World is to stand up for gay and human rights, which I’m very into,” he told a New Zealand news site. “I want to use this to raise public awareness and promote acceptance. There are still countries which have the death penalty if you’re gay.” What now, though, for Wendelinus and Robel? Saying goodbye to them is hard. I know they face a tougher time than the rest of the delegates on their return home. In fact, Robel isn’t going home. Fearing either death or imprisonment in Ethiopia, he’s decided to stay in South Africa. Coenie Kukkuk’s legal firm is helping find accommodation and work for him (Robel is a qualified IT professional) and is setting up a trust to help cover his expenses in the meantime. Next year, Mr Gay World moves back into gay-friendly territory. Antwerp in Belgium is a city rich in gay culture and diversity, a city that celebrates its gay iconoclasts like fashion designer Walter Van Beirendonck, a city hosting the 2013 World Out Games, a city in a country whose Consul General invited us to cocktails at his private residence. I hope that delegates from African countries like Zimbabwe, Namibia and Ethiopia are represented in 2013 – without the death threats and fears of violence. Dare we even hope for a Middle Eastern delegate? Mr Dubai? Mr Lebanon? Mr Israel? One step at a time, I guess. H

Mr Gay World: mrgayworld.org World Out Games in Antwerp: woga2013.org/ To assist Robel Hailu contact Coenraad Kukkuk Attorney at [email protected] The Fairway Hotel And Golf Resort: thefairway.co.za more Askari Game Lodge And Spa: askarilodge.co.za Nkosi’s Haven Village: betterplace.org Maropeng: maropeng.co.za

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