Former Mr. Gay Universe Paul “Stumpy” Davies makes history for disabled queer representation with his latest gig
the universe—what could Davies possibly conquer next? Subscribe to our newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.How about a little local television?!This month, Welsh network S4C announced its popular newsmagazine show Heno was returning with an all new look and new presenters, including Davies as one of its man-on-the-street reporters.
With the new gig, Davies became the–you guessed it—first disabled person to host the local-access television series. Now he gets to share his joy and his advocacy for the disabled LGBTQ+ community with a whole new audience.Born without a left hand, Davies grew up in the ’80s in a small mining community in South Wales, where many were fighting for their right to work.
As a disabled young man coming to terms with his sexuality, he learned early on what it meant to push through adversity, but it took him a while to recognize just how many barriers he was facing.“Growing up was difficult sometimes, and I’ve faced my share of discrimination and stereotyping,” he told the BBC in 2022. “One moment that has stuck with me was a teacher telling me that my disability would hold me back from achieving my life and career ambitions.
For me, I’m a very confident person now, but I wasn’t always like that and having specialized support would have really helped me when I was starting out.”Interestingly, Davies has said coming out was easy compared what he’s continually had to go through in terms of proving people wrong about his disability.
