International Mr. Leather

For other uses, see IML (disambiguation).
International Mr. Leather
IML Wingman logo
IML 29 at the Chicago Theatre (2007)
NicknameIML
StatusActive
Genre
FrequencyAnnually, Memorial Day weekend
Location(s)Chicago, Illinois
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated1979 (1979)
Organised byInternational Mr. Leather Inc.
Websitewww.imrl.com

International Mr. Leather (IML) is a multi-day conference and competition celebrating the leather, kink, fetish, and BDSM communities. Established in 1979, IML is held annually in Chicago over Memorial Day weekend, drawing thousands of contestants and spectators from around the world.[1] As of 2024, over 2,100 contestants from 27 countries have competed.

Events include speakers, socials, themed dance parties and a leather market. IML contestants qualify for the competition either by winning a feeder competition of a bar and/or local or regional leather contest, or by being sponsored by a leather-related bar, business, club, or organization.[1]

IML organizers also produce the International Mr. Bootblack competition.

History

IML is regarded as the world's oldest continuously operating international leather and fetish event,[2] leading to the nickname "the granddaddy of all leather events."[3] The forerunner of the competition was the 1970s "Mr. Gold Coast" contest held at Chicago's Gold Coast leather bar, owned by Chuck Renslow and Dom Orejudos.[4] The "Mr. Gold Coast" contest became one of the bar's most popular promotions causing the need to locate the competition to a larger venue in 1979, upon which the title was changed to International Mr. Leather.[4][2]

The inaugural IML competition took place May 18–20, 1979.[5] The event was advertised as "a weekend you won't want to miss" featuring "some of the world's hottest men, representing leather bars and clubs across America and Europe" competing to win prizes worth $5,000 ($20,990 in 2023), including a motorcycle.[5] Spectators could purchase a weekend package for $25 ($105.00 in 2023) that included a shirt designed Etienne (Orejudos), tickets to parties and events, and coupons for local shops and bathhouses.[5] Standalone tickets to the contest were priced at $10.[5] David Kloss won the first contest; Durk Dehner and Jesse Capello were first and second runners-up.[6] Tom of Finland volunteered to judge the contest, but had to drop out for health reasons (he later judged the 1983 contest).[6]

Orejudos designed the contest's "wingman logo" as well as much of its promotional materials.[6][7]

Advertisement for inaugural IML contest (1979)

In 1980, IML introduced the Black and Blue Ball.[6] By 1984, attendance had increased from 300 to 1,500.[6]

The leather pride flag was designed by Tony DeBlase, and he first presented the design at IML 11 on May 28, 1989.[8] The flag was incorporated into the design of the sash awarded to contest winners.[6]

The International Bootblack Competition was added to the IML program in 1993. In 1998, the coed competition was spun off into two separate competitions: International Mr. Bootblack (IMrBB), produced by IML, and International Ms. Bootblack (IMsBB), produced by International Ms. Leather.[9]

Since 2009, IML proceeds have been placed in a trust to benefit the Leather Archives and Museum (LA&M).[10][3] LA&M, which Renslow and Deblase co-founded, is the custodian of IML records and artwork.[11][12]

In 2009, prior to the widespread availability of PrEP, IML forbade from its vendor market "any entity which promotes barebacking or distributes/sells any merchandise tending to promote or advocate barebacking."[4][13] However, IML did not consistently enforce the policy and in 2019 announced that it would repeal it.[14]

The Congress Plaza Hotel has hosted IML guests and festivities every year since 2015, but the contest itself has often been hosted at offsite venues such as the Auditorium Theater.[15][16]

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant shutdowns and cancellations of large gatherings throughout the world, in-person IML events in 2020 and 2021 were cancelled.[17][18] IML resumed in May 2022.[19]

Rules and requirements

Eligibility

As of 2024, to qualify for IML, prospective contestants must:

  • Present as male and be 21 years of age or older.[20]
  • Win a preliminary contest or receive a primary sponsor.[20]
    • Preliminary contest is defined as a bar, local, or regional leather contest that awards its winner entry into IML.[20]
    • Primary sponsor is defined as "a bar, business, club or organization that specializes in the levi/leather, uniform, SM, western, gear or related lifestyles.[20]
  • Submit an application and registration fee.[20]

Contest Criteria

Preliminary round

Contest finalists are selected following:

  1. A preliminary interview with each of the nine judges, up to 8 minutes in length, are held in private (60% of the preliminary score).
  2. Stage presence and personality at a Saturday "Pecs and Personality" event (40% of the preliminary score).

The judge's highest and lowest scores for each contestant on each criterion are dropped, and the contestant's remaining seven scores are tallied to determine the 20 contestants with the highest combined scores to proceed as finalists at the Sunday IML contest event. The only time that the dropped scores are included in the tally is when there is a tie for the 20th place; the contestants in question have their dropped scores included in the tally but if the stalemate continues then each of the nine judges must vote for only one of the two contestants. Preliminary judging scores are not carried forward. There are also two tally masters.[5]

Final round

Each of the 20 finalists is judged at the Sunday IML contest on a scale from 0 to 100 in the following order:

  1. Leather image (up to 40 points).
  2. Presentation skills that include a contestant speech (up to 40 points).
  3. Physical appearance (up to 20 points).

The highest and lowest scores for each finalist are dropped, the remaining seven scores are added together, and the top three scores designate the second runner-up, first runner-up, and winner, International Mr. Leather. A tie for the title is resolved by adding to the tally the dropped scores of the two contestants; if the stalemate continues then each of the nine judges must vote for only one of the contestants in question.

Participating countries and territories

Twenty-seven countries spanning six continents have officially fielded one or more contestants to compete at IML as of 2024. As of 2022, 44 U.S. states have fielded contestants, as have Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.[21][22] The only U.S. states that have not fielded a contestant as of 2022 are Delaware, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Wyoming.[21][22]

Country Region First CompetedA WinsB Win Year(s) Ref.
 Australia Oceania 1980 1 1980 [21][23]
 Austria Europe 2018 0 [23]
 Belgium Europe 1996 1 2022 [21][23]
 Brazil South America 2017 0 [23]
 Canada North America 1981 1 2006 [21][23]
 Chile South America 2015 0 [24]
 China
( Hong Kong) 		Asia 2019 0 [25]
 Colombia South America 2022 0 [26]
 Denmark Europe 2007 0 [27]
 Finland Europe 2017 0 [28]
 France Europe 2002 1 2011 [21][23]
 Germany Europe 1987 2 1987, 2001 [21][23]
 Ireland Europe 2000 0 [21][24]
 Israel Asia 1995 0 [21][23]
 Italy Europe 1990 0 [21][23]
 Mexico North America 2018 0 [23]
 Netherlands Europe 1993 1 1993 [21][23]
 New Zealand Oceania 1993 0 [21]
 Norway Europe 2000 0 [21][29]
 South Africa Africa 2010 0 [30]
 Spain Europe 1988 0 [21][23]
 Sweden Europe 1985 0 [21]
  Switzerland Europe 2004 0 [31]
 Thailand Asia 1995 0 [21]
 United Kingdom Europe 1994 1 2003 [21][24]
 United States North America 1979 36 1979, 1981-1986, 1988-1992, 1994-2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007-2010, 2012-2019, 2023-2024 [21][23]
 Venezuela South America 2019 0 [25]
^A Some IML contestants emigrated from countries that have not officially sent contestants to IML (or had not as of the time they competed). For instance, Venezuela-born Gary Iriza (Mr. Palm Springs Leather)[32] won IML 30 in 2008,[33] more than a decade before Venezuela officially sent a contestant (Mr. Leather Venezuela) in 2019.[34]
^B Wins by contestants with international or nonnational preliminary titles (e.g. Mister Leather Europe, Mr. Gay Naturists International Leather) are attributed to the winner's country of residence.

Winners

As of 2024, 44 contestants representing eight countries have won IML: United States (36), Germany (2), Australia (1), Belgium (1), Canada (1), France (1), Netherlands (1), and United Kingdom (1).

The following is a table of IML contest winners.[6][7] Note that winner's city as used in the table variously refers to the preliminary title host city or winner's city of residence.

Year Class Winner Preliminary Contest / Primary Sponsor Winner's city Contestants CountriesC U.S. States & TerritoriesC Contest Location & Host Hotel Ref.
1979 1 David Kloss Mr. Leather Brig San Francisco, California 12 1 (USA) 6 (CA, CO, FL, IL, LA, WI) Grand Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel [21][35]
1980 2 Patrick Brookes Mr. Leather Australia Sydney, Australia 18 2 (USA, Australia) 7 (CA, CO, FL, IL, MA, MO, NY) Grand Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel [21][36]
1981 3 Marty Kiker Sponsored by The Brig & The Phoenix San Francisco, California 36 3 (USA, Australia, Canada) 11 (CA, CO, DC, FL, IL, MI, MN, NY, OH, OR, TX) Park West [21]
1982 4 Luke Daniel Mr. Drummer San Francisco, California 46 2 (USA, Canada) 13 (CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, LA, MI, MN, NY, OH, WI) Park West [21][37]
1983 5 Coulter Thomas Mr. Texas Leather Houston, Texas 44 2 (USA, Canada) 15 (CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, NY, OH, PA, TX, WI) Park West & Allerton Hotel [21]
1984 6 Ron Moore Mr. Leather Colorado Denver, Colorado 30 2 (USA, Australia) 14 (AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, IL, IN, MI, MO, OH, PA, TX, WA, WI) Park West & Allerton Hotel [21]
1985 7 Patrick Toner Mr. Chaps San Francisco San Francisco, California 27 3 (USA, Canada, Sweden) 14 (AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, IL, MI, MO, NE, OH, PA, TX, UT, WA) Park West & Allerton Hotel [21]
1986 8 Scott Tucker Mr. Philadelphia Leather Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 28 1 (USA) 14 (CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, MI, MO, NE, NY, PA, TX, WA, WI) Park West & Lake Shore Hotel [21]
1987 9 Thomas Karasch Mr. Leather Europe Hamburg, Germany 31 3 (USA, Canada, Germany) 14 (CA, CO, IL, MD, MI, MN, MO, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TX, WA) Park West & Days Inn [21][34]
1988 10 Michael Pereyra Mr. Leather San Diego San Diego, California 42 3 (USA, Canada, Spain) 20 (AZ, CA, CO, DC, HI, IA, IL, MI, MN, MO, NC, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, WA, WI) Clubland at The Vic Theatre & Executive House Hotel [21]
1989 11 Guy Baldwin Mr. National Leather Association Los Angeles, California 48 2 (USA, Canada) 22 (AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, GA, HI, ID, IL, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NE, NV, OH, OR, PA, TX, WA, WI) Clubland at The Vic Theatre & Executive House Hotel [21]
1990 12 Mark Ryan Mr. Boston Leather Boston, Massachusetts 48 4 (USA, Canada, Germany, Italy) 22 (AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, IL, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI) Clubland at The Vic Theatre [21]
1991 13 D Cannon Mr. CC (of Palm Springs) Los Angeles , California 50 3 (USA, Canada, Italy) 24 (AZ, CA, CO, DC, GA, ID, IL, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, WA, WI) Clubland at The Vic Theatre & Executive House Hotel [21]
1992 14 Lenny Broberg Mr. San Francisco Leather San Francisco, California 56 2 (USA, Canada) 22 (AZ, CA, CO, FL, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, WA, WI) Aragon Ballroom & Executive House Hotel [21][38]
1993 15 Henri ten Have Sponsored by Motor Sportclub Amsterdam (MSA) Amsterdam, Netherlands 51 5 (USA, Australia, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand) 23 (AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NY, OK, OR, PA, TX, VA, WA, WI) Aragon Ballroom & Congress Plaza Hotel [21]
1994 16 Jeff Tucker Mr. San Jose Leather San Jose, California 43 5 (USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom) 21 (CA, CO, DC, FL, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NM, NY, OK, OR, PA, VA, WA, WI) Congress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [21]
1995 17 Larry Everett Mr. Oklahoma Leather Collinsville, Oklahoma 50 6 (USA, Canada, Israel, Netherlands, Thailand, United Kingdom) 26 (AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TX, VA, WI) Congress Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [21]
1996 18 Joe Gallagher Mr. Leather New York New York, New York 49 5 (USA, Belgium, Canada, Netherlands, Spain) 26 (AK, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, PR, VA, WI) Congress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [21]
1997 19 Kevin Cwayna Mr. Minnesota Leather Minneapolis, Minnesota 53 4 (USA, Belgium, Canada, United Kingdom) 25 (CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, ND, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, PR, TX, VA, WI) Congress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [21]
1998 20 Tony Mills Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather Washington, D.C. 62 6 (USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom) 25 (AK, CA, CO, DC, FL, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, TX, WA, WI) Congress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [21]
1999 21 Bruce Chopnik Mr. Rocky Mountain Leather Denver, Colorado 52 5 (USA, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany) 23 (CA, CO, DC, FL, HI, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TX, WI) Congress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [21]
2000 22 Mike Taylor Mr. Heartland Leather Columbus & Cincinnati, Ohio 60 7 (USA, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway) 25 (AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TX, UT, WA, WI) Congress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [21]
2001 23 Stefan Müller Bavarian Mr. Leather Munich, Germany 63 7 (USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, United Kingdom) 27 (AK, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, WA, WI, WV) Congress Theater & The Palmer House Hilton [21]
2002 24 Stephen Weber Mr. Texas Leather Dallas, Texas 66 7 (USA, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, United Kingdom) 28 (AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TX, UT, WI, WV) Congress Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [21][39]
2003 25 John Pendal Mr. Hoist London, United Kingdom 58 5 (USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom) 25 (AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TX, WI, WV) Congress Theater & The Palmer House Hilton [21][40]
2004 26 Jason Hendrix[8] Mr. D.C. Eagle 2004 Washington, D.C. 57 6 (USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland) 23 Congress Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [31]
2005 27 Michael Egdes[9] Mr. Ramrod Fort Lauderdale, Florida 52 6 (USA, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom) 25 Navy Pier Skyline Stage & Hyatt Regency Chicago [41][42]
2006 28 Bo Ladashevska Mr. Leather Montreal 2006 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 52 5 (USA, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Switzerland) 18 Chicago Theatre & The Palmer House Hilton Hotel [43]
2007 29 Mikel Gerle Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2007 Los Angeles, California 53 5 (USA, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy) 23 Chicago Theatre & The Palmer House Hilton [44][27]
2008 30 Gary Iriza Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2008 Palm Springs, California 51 6 (USA, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom) 21 Hyatt Regency Chicago [33][45][46]
2009 31 Jeffrey Payne Mr. Texas Leather 2009 Dallas, Texas 54 7 (USA, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, United Kingdom) 26 Hilton Chicago [47][48]
2010 32 Tyler McCormick Mr. Rio Grande Leather 2010 Albuquerque, New Mexico 52 10 (USA, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom) 22 (incl. AZ, CA, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TX) Congress Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [49][30][50]
2011 33 Eric Guttierez Mr. Leather Europe 2011 Paris, France 53 7 (incl. USA, Canada, France) ? Harris Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [51][52][53]
2012 34 Woody Woodruff Mr. Michigan Leather 2012 Waterford, Michigan 49 ? ? Harris Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [54]
2013 35 Andy Cross Mr. San Francisco Leather 2013 San Francisco, California 51 6 (USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, South Africa, United Kingdom) 25 (AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, OH, OK, TX, WA, WI, VA) Harris Theater & Marriott Michigan Ave. Chicago [55][56][57][58]
2014 36 Ramien Pierre Mr. D.C. Eagle 2014 Washington, D.C. 46 5 (incl. USA, Australia) ? Harris Theater & Marriott Michigan Ave. Chicago [59][60][61][62]
2015 37 Patrick Smith Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2015 Los Angeles, California 52 9 (USA, Australia, Canada, Chile, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, South Africa, United Kingdom) 23 (AZ, CA, DC, FL, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, TX, VA, WA, WI) Park West and Harris Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [24][63][64]
2016 38 David "Tigger" Bailey Mr. New Jersey Leather 2016 Howell, New Jersey 59 8 (USA, Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel) 25 (CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MI, MA, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, TX, VA, WA, WI) Park West and Harris Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [65][66]
2017 39 Ralph Bruneau Mr. GNI (Gay Naturists International) Leather 2016 Los Angeles, California 63 12 (USA, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom) 24 (AZ, CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NJ, IA, OH, OK, OR, PA, TX, WI) Auditorium Theatre & Congress Plaza Hotel [28]
2018 40 James Lee Mr. Kentucky Leather 2017 Lexington, Kentucky 71 14 (USA, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland) 26 (AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, OK, NY, PA, RI, TX, WA, WI) Auditorium Theatre & Congress Plaza Hotel [23][67]
2019 41 Jack Thompson Leatherman of Color 2019 Baltimore, Maryland 68 13 (USA, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China (Hong Kong), France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Venezuela) 24 (AZ, CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, TX) and Puerto Rico Auditorium Theatre & Congress Plaza Hotel [34][25]
2020 42 Contest cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic [17]
2021 43 [18]
2022 44 Gael Leung Chong Wo Mr. Leather Belgium 2020/2021 Ghent, Belgium 60 11 (USA, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Colombia, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Venezuela) 23 (AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX, WA, WI) Arie Crown Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [26][68]
2023 45 Marcus Barela Eagle LA Mr. Leather 2023 Los Angeles, California 54 10 (USA, Australia, Belgium, Colombia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland) 21 (AZ, CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NY, OH, RI, TN, TX) Auditorium Theatre & Congress Plaza Hotel [69][29][70]
2024 46 Jamal "Alpha Pup Savage" Herrera-O'Malley San Francisco Eagle Leather Pup 2024 San Francisco, California 59 9 (USA, Australia, Colombia, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, United Kingdom) 21 (AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TX) Venue SIX10 at Spertus Institute, McCormick Place, & Congress Plaza Hotel [71]

^C In cases of regional, international, or non-geographic preliminary titles (Mr Midwest Leather, Mr SECC Leather, Leathermen of Color, Mr Leather Europe, etc.), participation is attributed to the contestant's country, state, and/or territory of residence.

Milestones

In 1984 Ron Moore became the first black man to win International Mr. Leather.[72] In 1997, his sister Genelle Moore won International Ms. Leather, which made them the first siblings to hold international leather titles.[73][74]

In 2010, Tyler McCormick became the first openly transgender man, the first wheelchair user, and the first person from New Mexico to win International Mr. Leather.[49][75]

The 2012 contest featured two weddings as well as the contest's first pair of married contestants competing against each other.[2]

In 2019, Jack Thompson became the first openly transgender person of color to win International Mr. Leather.[34] His win also marked the first time black men won consecutive International Mr. Leather titles.[76]

Preliminary contests and sponsors

As of 2024, five preliminary contests have produced multiple IML winners. Mr. Texas Leather holds the most wins per preliminary contest (3) as of 2024. San Francisco holds the record of the most IML wins per city (7) as of 2024.[77]

Preliminary Contest / Primary Sponsor Wins Win Year(s) Ref.
Bavarian Mr. Leather 1 2001
The Brig & The Phoenix 1 1981
Eagle LA Mr. Leather 1 2023
Leatherman of Color 1 2019
Motor Sportclub Amsterdam (MSA) 1 1993
Mr. Boston Leather 1 1990
Mr. CC (of Palm Springs) 1 1991
Mr. Chaps San Francisco 1 1985
Mr. D.C. Eagle 2 2004, 2014
Mr. Drummer 1 1982
Mr. GNI (Gay Naturists International) Leather 1 2017
Mr. Heartland Leather 1 2000
Mr. Hoist 1 2003
Mr. Kentucky Leather 1 2018
Mr. Leather Australia 1 1980
Mr. Leather Belgium 1 2022
Mr. Leather Brig 1 1979
Mr. Leather Colorado 1 1984
Mr. Leather Europe 2 1987, 2011
Mr. Leather Montreal 1 2006
Mr. Leather New York 1 1996
Mr. Leather San Diego 1 1988
Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2 2007, 2015
Mr. Michigan Leather 1 2012
Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 1 1998
Mr. Minnesota Leather 1 1997
Mr. National Leather Association 1 1989
Mr. New Jersey Leather 1 2016
Mr. Oklahoma Leather 1 1995
Mr. Palm Springs Leather 1 2008
Mr. Philadelphia Leather 1 1986
Mr. Ramrod 1 2005
Mr. Rio Grande Leather 1 2010
Mr. Rocky Mountain Leather 1 1999
Mr. San Francisco Leather 2 1992, 2013
Mr. San Jose Leather 1 1994
Mr. Texas Leather 3 1983, 2002, 2009
San Francisco Eagle Leather Pup 2024 1 2024

International Mr. Bootblack

IMrBB logo

The International Mr. Bootblack (IMrBB) Competition runs throughout the IML weekend. Contestants are given a location in the IML Leather Market at which they perform bootblacking services. Weekend ticket package holders (as well as judges, contestants, and vendors) are each provided with a bootblack ballot which is redeemable for one shine by the bootblack of the voter's choice. Bootblacks are free to shine the boots of any person, regardless of whether that person has a ballot, although it is made clear that the ballots are the means by which the winner will be determined. Tipping is not required, but is quite common.

The bootblack contestants work during the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of IML during the time that the Leather Market is open, a total of approximately 20 hours over three days. In previous years, the bootblacks were allowed to shine boots and collect tickets at all times during the weekend. Since 2001, the bootblack contestants have established a gentlemen's agreement at the start of the weekend that they will not shine boots or accept ballots except during the established competition hours. This agreement was conceived to give the contestants the freedom to take time to enjoy the weekend without feeling the pressure to always be bootblacking.

At its inception in 1993, the competition was called the International Bootblack Competition, and both men and women were allowed to compete. In 1998, it was announced that the competition would be changed to the International Mr. Bootblack Competition and that a separate competition solely for women would be held at International Ms. Leather. This change was made largely because it was commonly held that women had a significant disadvantage competing for ballots from IML's predominantly gay male attendees, who may favor bootblacks who they find attractive. Since 1999, competitors for IMrBB are restricted to persons over the age of 21 who present as male.

The winner of the International Mr. Bootblack Competition is announced (along with the first and second runners-up and the winner of the Brotherhood Award, on which the IMrBB competitors vote and which is roughly analogous to the Miss Congeniality Award from various traditional beauty contests) at the Sunday contest, immediately following the announcement of the top 20 IML finalists.

In recent years, largely because of coordination of the contest by David Hawks, International Mr. Bootblack 2000, the Bootblack Competition has begun to develop adjunct activities. An IMrBB party is held in a hotel function room on Saturday night, offering food, music, and a silent auction, the proceeds of which go to the travel fund of the winner. Likewise, during the competition hours in the Leather Market, volunteers man a table to answer questions and sell IMrBB Travel Fund pins, which also adds to the travel fund. These sources of revenue have provided the various contestants with significantly more money to aid their travel to distant events during their title years. The money is controlled by the contest coordinator, and any access to the funds must be accompanied by proof of the travel outlay.[10]

Starting in 2013, the IMrBB contest has implemented a judging system to select the winner. Contestants are evaluated by a panel of judges on the basis of their technical bootblacking skills, how they present themselves on stage and in public and what they say in an interview with the judges. Ballot voting still makes up a percentage of the contestant's total score.[11]

IMrBB winners

The following is a table of IMrBB contest winners:[12]

Year Winner Winner's preliminary title or sponsor Winner's city Contestants
1993 David Morgan DC Eagle Washington, D.C. ?
1994 William Shields Jr. Chicago Eagle & Chicago Hellfire Club Chicago, Illinois ?
1995 Tim Cousins DC Eagle Washington, D.C. ?
1996 Todd Nelson The Cuff Seattle, Washington ?
1997 Driller SF Eagle & Daddy's Bar San Francisco, California ?
1998 Matthew Duncan Centaur MC Washington, D.C. ?
1999 Robert Ehrlich DC Eagle Washington, D.C. ?
2000 David Hawks Mid-Atlantic Bootblack 2000 (Centaur MC) Washington, D.C. ?
2001 Paksen Burrell Mid-Atlantic Bootblack 2001 (Centaur MC) Washington, D.C. ?
2002 Michael Lanzini The Lure New York City, New York ?
2003 Richie Chameroy Daddy's Bar & Powerhouse Bar San Francisco, California ?
2004 Alan Tunstall The Barracks Bar & Avatar Club Los Angeles, California 8
2005 BooBoo Great Lakes Leather Alliance & Laws Leather Cleveland, Ohio 9
2006 Benjamin Palmer PumpJack Pub & Priape Vancouver Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 5
2007 Spot Great Lakes Leather Alliance Lansing, Michigan 5
2008 Bootdog Alameda County Leather Corps Oakland, California 5
2009 McG Bootblack Toronto 2009 Toronto, Ontario, Canada 6
2010 Tim Starkey Boston Ramrod Boston, Massachusetts 5
2011 Jim Deuder NYC Bootblack Roundtable, The Leather Man NYC & the Eagle NYC New York City, New York 6
2012 Nick Elliott Oregon State Bootblack, 2011 Portland, Oregon 2
2013 Sammy Sklover Oregon State Bootblack, 2012 Portland, Oregon 3
2014 Scout Eros SF & the San Francisco Eagle Oakland, California 7
2015 Bamm-Bamm International Leatherboy 2012, SF Eagle San Francisco, California 6
2016 Erick Joseph Alaska State Bootblack Anchorage, Alaska ?
2017 Ryan "Pawlish" Garner-Carpenter Independent Candidate Cincinnati, Ohio 3
2018 Lucky Rebel Mr. Oregon State Leather 2016 Portland, Oregon ?
2019 Kriszly de Hond Mr. Puppy EU 2015, XXXLeather's House Bootblack Zaandam, Netherlands 4
2020 Contest cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021
2022 Alistair LeatherHiraeth Bootblack Europe 2020 Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom 3
2023 Contest cancelled due to staff resignation[78]
2024

Cultural impact & legacy

Image of the front entrance of the Leather Archives & Museum in Chicago, Illinois, pictured in 2015.
The Leather Archives & Museum is the custodian of IML records and recipient of IML proceeds.

According to the Chicago Reader, "IML has endured as an institution that serves the LGBTQ+ community by fundraising for grassroots groups as well as providing opportunities to gather and exchange goods, information, and kinship."[79] IML has also improved the visibility and popularity of leather culture;[80][81] past IML contestants and attendees have founded leather organizations, competitions, and businesses around the world, including National Leather Association International.[82][83][84]

Recognition

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ Bean, Joseph W. (2004). International Mr. Leather: 25 Years of Champions. International Mr. Leather, Inc. and The Leather Archives and Museum (1st ed.). Las Vegas: Nazca Plains. ISBN 1-887895-38-8.
  2. ^ Davolt, Robert (2003). Painfully Obvious: An Irreverent & Unauthorized Manual for Leather/SM. cover design by Steve Diet Goedde. Los Angeles: Daedalus Publishing. p. 212. ISBN 1-881943-19-4.
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