|
|
|
|
View all news
|
Abel Lima: America's Gay Bachelor |
| 2008-09-01 |
Ambiente
Abel Lima, a native of Rhode Island and currently a San Francisco resident, was recently named America's Gay Bachelor 2008. Before moving to San Francisco, Abel was a favorite in Rhode Island's LGBT community, serving as a bartender for three years at the Alley Cat and Dark Lady. Abel got his BA in Communications at Rhode Island College and is now interning at a production company in San Francisco, while still bartending on the side. Abel's family originally hails from the Azores Islands of Portugal. A bachelor for the last two years, Abel is looking for a man who he can have fun with, who is willing to establish a real relationship, and who is looking to make a real connection — mentally, physically and emotionally. Until then, Abel says he'll continue to "go with the flow and enjoy life."
- This is how the official bio for the 2008 America's Gay Bachelor, reads.
Abel Lima, a Rhode Island native who currently resides in San Francisco, CA, was named the winner of myPartner.com’s America’s Gay Bachelor 2008 contest on July 17, 2008 during a sold-out, star-studded finale event at Beach at W San Diego during San Diego’s Gay Pride Week.
The five contestants were evaluated by a panel of celebrity judges including David Bromstad, who was the inaugural winner of HGTV Design Star in 2007 and is now hosting his own HGTV design show “Color Splash”, Jesse Brune from the hot Bravo show “Work Out”, and Patrick H. Perrine, the Founder and CEO of myPartner.com.
In a split decision, the judges chose Lima as the winner based on the categories “mind”, “body” and “soul.” Tim Bias, the bachelor representing the state of Oregon, came in as a close second. “There’s no question that each of the contestants in this year’s America’s Gay Bachelor contest is a great catch,” said Perrine. “We’re thrilled to have Abel as our winner, and Tim as our runner-up. They’re both living proof that there are great guys out there, just looking for their perfect partner.”
Lima and Bias, Mr. Rhode Island and Mr. Oregon respectively, were two of five finalists chosen by more than 35,000 online voters at myPartner.com after a nationwide search. The other finalists represented Montana, Ohio and Utah.
“My friend nominated me to be America's Next Gay Bachelor, but I never expected to win. I hope this makes people realize that we're looking for real, long term relationships too."
Because the judges’ decision was so closely split between Lima and Bias, both bachelors will become public spokesmen for myPartner.com and will have a chance to be featured in a national publication. As the winner of the contest, Lima will also receive a romantic get-a-way trip for two at the W San Diego and a $25,000 Private Matchmaking Package from myPartner.com.
Q&A with ABEL As America’s Gay Bachelor®, what are your duties, perks, was there a prize involved? As the winner I’ve actually been chosen to be a spokesperson for myPartner.com. It’s great to know that there is a site dedicated towards finding long-term committed relationships for gay men, and I’ m really excited and flattered to be a part of that. I won a trip for two to the W in San Diego, as well as $25,000 towards their private matchmaking services.
Did you go on your trip for two to the W San Diego yet? …With anyone special? I so, did you meet as a result of the contest? What will/did you do with your $25,000 Private Matchmaking Package from myPartner.com? I haven’t gone on my trip yet. I had told my friend who nominated me I would take him. It’s my way of saying thank you. There’s no one special in my life just yet, but I have been working with my private matchmaker through myPartner.com and my profile is all set up. I’m just waiting for them to start finding me some potential matches.
What about the judges? Any possible romantic connections there? While we were all able to spend some time with the judges and get to know them a bit, I’m sorry to say that there were no romantic connections there. But David Bromstad and Jesse Brune were really great guys. And I’ve actually hung out with Patrick Perrine, a judge and president of myPartner.com, here in San Francisco since the event.
Tell me about your friend that nominated you for the mypartner.com contest. Did you know beforehand? His name is Plunket. Yes, that’s his real name. He’s actually an amazing person. I met him here in San Francisco and he really helped me out when I first moved here. He’s very supportive of all his friends and he has such a big heart. He had told me he was nominating me but I didn’t think much of the contest itself. I only started to realize that it was something more when they were calling me to say that they were sending me to San Diego. Are you recognized since the contest as AGB? Where & what happened? Has finding “the one” been any easier as a result? Do you believe there IS a ‘right one”? I was actually recognized twice. Once from someone online who had attended the event, and another time was on the street when I was meeting a friend for dinner. It was a little strange but they were really nice guys. They just wanted to congratulate me and show their support. Finding the one hasn’t been any easier, but I’m still in the beginning stages of working with my private matchmaker.
Are there any differences in dating in Rhode Island as opposed to San Francisco? What? I actually find it a bit more difficult. There’s a completely different vibe here in San Francisco and I think I’m still trying to get used to it. People are a lot more laid-back here, which is very different from the east coast.
What type of man are you attracted to, and have you looked in Miami? (Ambiente is based in South Florida) I usually go for someone taller and bigger than me. But there has to be that connection. If it’s not there I know it’s not going to work. And I haven’t been to Miami in a few years now so no I haven’t looked there. I wouldn’t rule it out though. Ideally it would be nice to have someone just a little closer.
Working as a bartender you meet a lot of guys. Do you think meeting your match in a bar is a solid start to a relationship? Why or why not? I wouldn’t rule out meeting a match in a bar. I’ve met some of the most amazing people as a bartender. The people I’ve worked with are like family to me. I dated a bartender who was absolutely amazing, and one who was not so amazing. You can meet the best and the worst people anywhere. It doesn’t matter if you’re at a bar, at the grocery store, or online. I always try to go with my instinct.
How have your family, friends & co-workers reacted to your title? Everyone has been tremendously supportive. They’re all really excited about me winning and they’ re always asking me for updates on what’s happening next.
What is in your future now? Career? Personal? Etc? I don’t necessarily have a plan for the future. I’m bartending and interning for a production company right now and things are going really well. I’m not really sure where my career is heading, but I’ve been seriously thinking about going back to school to pursue my former passions, which were art and music. Personally I’m just trying to build and maintain my relationships and really realize what’s most important to me. I feel that I’m at a point in my life where I’m rediscovering myself all over again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
