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Grant Ermis stands against stereotypes.
And this weekend, the agricultural education senior will stand on stage in front of judges to compete for the title of U.S. Mr. Gay and International Mr. Gay in Palm Springs.
Ermis is the manager of breeding and genetics for the sheep unit at University Farm, where he spends 20 to 40 hours a week.
The competition is looking for nonstereotypical gay males, and because there is no group more macho than those in the agricultural industry, Ermis doesn't fit the gay stereotype, he said.
"It's to show that stereotypes aren't anything, and there are different types of people," Ermis said. "My philosophy is: If I'm not already the person they want me to be, I am not going to try to change myself."
Tray Robinson, Chico State's diversity coordinator, said it is great Ermis is showing people who he is and that he's different from the stereotype.
"A lot of people try to change who they are, but he's staying true to himself," Robinson said. "I love when you hear about folks who are not the norm, who come out and are breaking down stereotypes."
Once people begin to recognize diversity, their minds change, Robinson said. The competition provides the opportunity for gay men to showcase their talents and represent the gay community as something positive.
Ermis said one aspect of the competition is leadership, something he's been involved with for the past 10 years in Future Farmers of America.
The competition has a swimsuit and physical fitness competition, but it is really nothing like Miss U.S.A., Ermis said.
"It's about who you are inside, your capabilities for personal growth, your team-working abilities," Ermis said.
Ermis' main focus is education and bringing gay awareness to the general public, he said.
"Education and diversity go hand in hand, and they are both major issues in California," Ermis said.
Ermis is excited and nervous about the competition, but he is entering with an open mind, he said.
"I dove in feet first and took off with it," Ermis said. "I have a tendency to do that."
Whether he wins the title is not important, it's about embracing the experience, meeting people and doing new things, he said.
Right now he is focusing on the competition. Afterward, he will return to his regular life, work and school, and move forward with his plans of working with the community and addressing important gay issues, he said.
Nick Urbom, the director of the competition, said the event is organized as a culmination of gay competitions around the world.
"The event is established to provide a positive stereotype for gays, to show there are plenty of gay men who go to work and do positive things for their community," he said.
Ermis is an ideal candidate because his involvement in the agriculture and farm industry battles stereotypes, Urbom said.
Not a lot of gay men get recognition in the media for those things, and this is their opportunity, he said.
Twenty men will compete in the Mr. Gay U.S.A. competition Friday, and 20 will compete for the title of Mr. Gay International on Saturday, Urbom said.
One of the heaviest-weighted parts of the competition is a private interview, where the men are asked about their daily lives, why they are competing and what they will do if they win, Urbom said.
"We want the winner to have strong character, integrity, leadership, intelligence, speaking ability," he said. "It's fine if you're a drag queen or a leather daddy, but we want to show that you can be gay and hold down a job, have kids, have a life, have all of that."
Urbom said Ermis is just the kind of guy they're looking for.
"We hope to provide role models - people who are supported by their community and proud of who they are," Urbom said. "Grant is a great example of that."
Ashley Gebb can be reached at
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