Guam mayors considered creating a Liberation contest for men, similar to the Liberation Queen competition, but ultimately the proposal failed to get enough votes during Wednesday’s Mayors’ Council of Guam meeting.
Yona Mayor Brian J. Terlaje, who heads the council’s liberation committee, said the proposal was not meant to defy tradition, but to get more people involved in the celebration.
“I'm a strong believer that in order for a culture to survive, it needs to evolve,” Terlaje said.
He said the committee wanted “to provide opportunities. We've seen that in the past, in the previous events that we've had with the queens, that there's little to no participation. And so how do we move forward in trying to provide a platform for our queens, or anyone wanting to participate, to be included?”
The mayors discussed the potential costs and benefits of adding a contest for Mr. Liberation – the title preferred over Liberation King, so it would not overshadow the queen - along with logistical considerations.
Mayors voted to continue the Liberation Queen tradition for the 82nd Liberation celebration.
But there will be no king, or Mr. Liberation.
At least not this year.
