Mr. Gay Oklahoma USofA garners national titles

"I want to be a role model for everyone; we are one community."

- Kelly "Keliente" Forbes

Last month, our Mr. Gay Oklahoma USofA 2011, Kelly Keliente Forbes travelled to Houston for the finals in the Mr. Gay USofA contest. Where he did not win the top prize, he did win two very exceptional titles. The first being voted, “Most Handsome” nationally among the judges and, of the 22 contestants, Forbes placed “2nd Runner Up” in the overall competition.

Mr. Gay USofA was started in 2008 and has over 30 local, state and regional contests that men from all over the country compete in. Mr. Gay USofA offers Integrity, Excellence, Competition and Recognition for the male leads in our gay male entertainment community.

“I did not win this to become Mr. Gay OKC,” said Forbes. “I wanted it to become Mr. Gay Oklahoma and all of us to become as one,” stating also that he feels he has a strong sense of responsibility to make a difference. “The former Mr. Gay Oklahoma said I should be in this competition,” added Forbes. “I realized there was power behind that title that you could do a lot with that title to educate and help others.  It’s time for all of us to be a community and be all together.”

Forbes was born in Tulsa in 1984. He grew up moving to Texas and Kansas, but settled in Broken Arrow, OK with his grandparents. In school, Kelly was involved in dance, voice, and drama, and while in high school at Metro Christian Academy he participated in every play, including one-act plays competitions.  Dance and drama soon became his life.

“I just believe genuinely that there is so much good in our community,” he adds. “We all have so much to give - we need to come together and support each other.” Then he added, “If we already have Sally Kern hating us – we don’t need others in our own community hating us; no separation.”

Forbes obtained his bachelor's in Spanish from OCU, and then he danced for two years on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Forbes currently is studying for his master's at UCO and has received a full scholarship for the Supporting Excellent Education for Diverse Students (SEEDS) program and will graduate in December 2011. Currently, he is an English Language Learner (ELL) Facilitator with Oklahoma City Public Schools.

“I saw that I wanted to form a path for kids to go to,” said Forbes. “After winning, I see that I can be a part of that. I want to be a role model for everyone; we are one community.”

Forbes said respect is the number one tool he teaches his students at Taft Middle School in OKC. “I really believe in the power of unity and I believe that unity to be not only in the gay community, but to be in the whole community of Oklahoma. It is within our actions that we can truly show that together, we are better.

As a teacher, Kelly believes in his district and in his students.  He thanks the community of OKC for their love and support, as well as his close friends and family. They have proven to Forbes that truly together, we are better.