Jump to content

International Mr. Leather

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.internationalmrleather.com

International Mr. Leather (IML) is an American multi-day convention and competition celebrating the leather, kink, fetish, and BDSM communities. Established in 1979, IML is held annually in Chicago, Illinois over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, drawing thousands of attendees from around the world.[1] As of 2025, over 2,200 contestants from 28 countries have competed in the weekend's contest to earn the title of International Mr. Leather.

Events include speakers, socials, themed dance parties and a leather market. IML contestants are expected to participate in the weekend while also fulfilling contest-related duties. Contestants qualify for the competition by winning an approved leather contest organized by a bar and/or local or regional leather club, or by being sponsored by a leather-related business or organization.[1]

Since 1993, the organizers of IML have also produced and hosted the International Mr. Bootblack competition, occurring the same weekend as the main convention. This contest was created to recognize the service and contributions of bootblacks to the leather and BDSM communities. Following the resignation of IMBB staff in 2023, the contest has remained inactive.

History

[edit]

International Mr. Leather is regarded as the world's oldest continuously operating international leather and fetish event,[2] even being dubbed "the granddaddy of all leather events."[3] This contest, like all similar leather contests, was designed to be both an homage and a satire of women's beauty pageants, by giving men their own platform to admire and be admired, specifically by and for gay men involved in the leather and BDSM subcultures.

The forerunner of the competition was the Mr. Gold Coast contest held through the 1970s at Chicago's Gold Coast leather bar, owned by Chuck Renslow and his partner Dom Orejudos.[4] This contest became one of the bar's most popular events, causing the need to relocate the competition to a larger venue by 1979, at which point Renslow decided to change the name to "International Mr. Leather".[4][2] Flyers and promotional materials for this first IML were sent to every leather bar that Renslow and his associates knew of, not knowing if the historically regional contest would actually be able to attract a global audience. Fortunately, by the contest's second year, it would go on to actually live up to its name.

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 ($21,662 in 2024), including a motorcycle.[5] Spectators could purchase a weekend package for $25 ($108.30 in 2024) that included a shirt designed by Orejudos (under his pseudonym "Etienne"), tickets to various parties and events, and coupons for local shops and bathhouses.[5] Standalone tickets to the contest itself were priced at $10 ($43.32 in 2024).[5] Orejudos also designed much of the contest's promotional material, including the iconic "Wingman Logo" still used today.[6][7] David Kloss won the first contest, with Durk Dehner and Jesse Capello as first and second runners-up.[6] Touko Laaksonen, a.k.a. Tom of Finland, volunteered to judge the contest, but had to drop out for health reasons (he later judged the 1983 contest).[6]

Advertisement for inaugural IML contest (1979)

In 1980, IML introduced the Black and Blue Ball.[6][8] In 1982, Glynn Sudbery served as press coordinator.[9] By 1984, attendance had increased from 300 to 1,500.[6] The leather pride flag was officially unveiled by its designer Tony DeBlase during IML 11 on May 28, 1989.[10] The flag was quickly incorporated into the design of the sash awarded to subsequent contest winners.[6]

The International Bootblack Competition was added to the IML program in 1993, intended to honor and showcase the hard work performed by bootblacks in the leather community. In 1998, the originally mixed-gender competition was spun off into two separate events: International Mr. Bootblack (IMBB), still produced by IML, and International Ms. Bootblack (IMsBB), now produced by International Ms. Leather, the female equivalent of IML held annually since 1987.[11]

Since 2009, IML proceeds have been placed in a trust to benefit the Leather Archives and Museum (LA&M), the Chicago-based institution dedicated to preserving the history of the leather and fetish subcultures.[12][3] Co-founded by Renslow and DeBlase, LA&M is also the official custodian of IML records and artwork.[13][14]

The historic 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 Theatre across the street from the Congress Plaza.[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]

In 2025, the gay men's kink-focused hookup site Recon sponsored a pay-per-view live broadcast of the contest, the first time it had ever been officially broadcast live for a wider audience.[20]

Leather market

[edit]

Each IML contest features a market for leather, kink, and LGBT-related vendors and organizations of all kinds.[21] The market is open for multiple days and routinely draws thousands of visitors.[22] Past and present participants include Chicago Department of Public Health, Folsom Street Events, Howard Brown Health, Mid America Fists In Action, MIR, Nasty Pig, and Recon.[23]

The leather market also hosts bootblacks in partnership with International Mr. Bootblack.

Rules

[edit]

Eligibility

[edit]

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

  • Present as male and be 21 years of age or older.[24]
  • Win a preliminary contest or receive a primary sponsor.[24]
    • Preliminary contest is defined as a bar, local, or regional leather contest that awards its winner entry into IML.[24]
    • Primary sponsor is defined as "a bar, business, club or organization that specializes in the levi/leather, uniform, S&M, western, gear or related lifestyles.[24]
  • Submit an application and registration fee.[24]

Contest Criteria

[edit]
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.[4]

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

[edit]

As of 2025, twenty-eight countries spanning six continents have officially fielded at least one contestant to compete at IML. Additionally, 44 U.S. states have provided contestants, as have the District of Columbia (D.C.) and the U.S. territory Puerto Rico;[25][26] the only U.S. states that have yet to field a contestant are Delaware, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Wyoming.[25][26]

Country Region First CompetedA WinsB Win Year(s) Ref.
Australia Oceania 1980 1 1980 [25][27]
Austria Europe 2018 0 [27]
Belgium Europe 1996 1 2022 [25][27]
Brazil South America 2017 0 [27]
Canada North America 1981 1 2006 [25][27]
Chile South America 2015 0 [28]
China
( Hong Kong) 		Asia 2019 0 [29]
Colombia South America 2022 0 [30]
Denmark Europe 2007 0 [31]
Finland Europe 2017 0 [32]
France Europe 2002 1 2011 [25][27]
Germany Europe 1987 2 1987, 2001 [25][27]
Ireland Europe 2000 0 [25][28]
Israel Asia 1995 0 [25][27]
Italy Europe 1990 0 [25][27]
Mexico North America 2018 0 [27]
Netherlands Europe 1993 1 1993 [25][27]
New Zealand Oceania 1993 0 [25]
Norway Europe 2000 0 [25][33]
Philippines Asia 2025 0 [34]
South Africa Africa 2010 0 [35]
Spain Europe 1988 0 [25][27]
Sweden Europe 1985 0 [25]
 Switzerland Europe 2004 0 [36]
Thailand Asia 1995 0 [25]
United Kingdom Europe 1994 1 2003 [25][28]
United States North America 1979 37 1979, 1981-1986, 1988-1992, 1994-2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007-2010, 2012-2019, 2023-2025 [25][27]
Venezuela South America 2019 0 [29]
^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)[37] won IML 30 in 2008,[38] more than a decade before Venezuela officially sent a contestant (Mr. Leather Venezuela) in 2019.[39]
^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

[edit]

As of 2025, 45 contestants representing eight countries have won IML: the United States (37), Germany (2), Australia (1), Belgium (1), Canada (1), France (1), the Netherlands (1), and the United Kingdom (1).

The following is a table of IML contest winners.[5][6] 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 Number of Contestants Contest Location & Host Hotel Ref.
1979 1 David Kloss Mr. Leather Brig San Francisco, California 12 men from 6 U.S. states Grand Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel [25][6]
1980 2 Patrick Brookes Mr. Leather Australia Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 18 men from the U.S. and Australia, including 7 U.S. states Grand Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel [25][40]
1981 3 Marty Kiker Sponsored by The Brig & The Phoenix San Francisco, California 36 men from 3 countries, including 11 U.S. states Park West [25]
1982 4 Luke Daniel Mr. Drummer San Francisco, California 46 men from the U.S. and Canada, including 12 U.S. states and D.C. Park West [25][41]
1983 5 Coulter Thomas Mr. Texas Leather Houston, Texas 44 men from the U.S. and Canada, including 14 U.S. states and D.C. Park West & Allerton Hotel [25]
1984 6 Ron Moore Mr. Leather Colorado Denver, Colorado 30 men from the U.S. and Australia, including 13 U.S. states and D.C. Park West & Allerton Hotel [25]
1985 7 Patrick Toner Mr. Chaps San Francisco San Francisco, California 27 men from 3 countries, including 13 U.S. states and D.C. Park West & Allerton Hotel [25]
1986 8 Scott Tucker Mr. Philadelphia Leather Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 28 men from 13 U.S. states and D.C. Park West & Lake Shore Hotel [25]
1987 9 Thomas Karasch Mr. Leather Europe Hamburg, Germany 31 men from 3 countries, including 14 U.S. states Park West & Days Inn [25][39]
1988 10 Michael Pereyra Mr. Leather San Diego San Diego, California 42 men from 3 countries, including 19 U.S. states and D.C. Clubland at The Vic Theatre & Executive House Hotel [25]
1989 11 Guy Baldwin Mr. National Leather Association Los Angeles, California 48 men from the U.S. and Canada, including 21 U.S. states and D.C. Clubland at The Vic Theatre & Executive House Hotel [25]
1990 12 Mark Ryan Mr. Boston Leather Boston, Massachusetts 48 men from 4 countries, including 22 U.S. states Clubland at The Vic Theatre [25]
1991 13 D Cannon Mr. CC (of Palm Springs) Los Angeles , California 50 men from 3 countries, including 23 U.S. states and D.C. Clubland at The Vic Theatre & Executive House Hotel [25]
1992 14 Lenny Broberg Mr. San Francisco Leather San Francisco, California 56 men from the U.S. and Canada, including 22 U.S. states Aragon Ballroom & Executive House Hotel [25][42]
1993 15 Henri ten Have Sponsored by Motor Sportclub Amsterdam (MSA) Amsterdam, Netherlands 51 men from 5 countries, including 23 U.S. states Aragon Ballroom & Congress Plaza Hotel [25]
1994 16 Jeff Tucker Mr. San Jose Leather San Jose, California 43 men from 5 countries, including 20 U.S. states and D.C. Congress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [25]
1995 17 Larry Everett Mr. Oklahoma Leather Collinsville, Oklahoma 50 men from 6 countries, including 25 U.S. states and D.C. Congress Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [25]
1996 18 Joe Gallagher Mr. Leather New York New York, New York 49 men from 5 countries, including 25 U.S. states and Puerto Rico Congress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [25]
1997 19 Kevin Cwayna Mr. Minnesota Leather Minneapolis, Minnesota 53 men from 4 countries, including 23 U.S. states, D.C., and Puerto Rico Congress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [25]
1998 20 Tony Mills Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather Washington, D.C. 62 men from 6 countries, including 23 U.S. states, D.C., and Puerto Rico Congress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [25]
1999 21 Bruce Chopnik Mr. Rocky Mountain Leather Denver, Colorado 52 men from 5 countries, including 22 U.S. states and D.C. Congress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [25]
2000 22 Mike Taylor Mr. Heartland Leather Columbus & Cincinnati, Ohio 60 men from 7 countries, including 24 U.S. states and D.C. Congress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [25]
2001 23 Stefan Müller Bavarian Mr. Leather Munich, Germany 63 men from 7 countries, including 26 U.S. states and D.C. Congress Theater & The Palmer House Hilton [25]
2002 24 Stephen Weber Mr. Texas Leather Dallas, Texas 66 men from 7 countries, including 27 U.S. states and D.C. Congress Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [25][43]
2003 25 John Pendal Mr. Hoist London, United Kingdom 58 men from 5 countries, including 24 U.S. states and D.C. Congress Theater & The Palmer House Hilton [25][44]
2004 26 Jason Hendrix[7] Mr. D.C. Eagle 2004 Washington, D.C. 57 men from 6 countries, including 23 U.S.states Congress Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [36]
2005 27 Michael Egdes[8] Mr. Ramrod Fort Lauderdale, Florida 52 men from 6 countries, including 25 U.S. states Navy Pier Skyline Stage & Hyatt Regency Chicago [45][46]
2006 28 Bo Ladashevska Mr. Leather Montreal 2006 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 52 men from 5 countries, including 18 U.S. states Chicago Theatre & The Palmer House Hilton Hotel [47]
2007 29 Mikel Gerle Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2007 Los Angeles, California 53 men from 5 countries, including 23 U.S. states Chicago Theatre & The Palmer House Hilton [48][31]
2008 30 Gary Iriza Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2008 Palm Springs, California 51 men from 6 countries, including 21 U.S. states Hyatt Regency Chicago [38][49][50]
2009 31 Jeffrey Payne Mr. Texas Leather 2009 Dallas, Texas 54 men from 7 countries, including 26 U.S. states Hilton Chicago [51][52]
2010 32 Tyler McCormick Mr. Rio Grande Leather 2010 Albuquerque, New Mexico 52 men from 10 countries, including 21 U.S. states and D.C. Congress Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [53][35][54]
2011 33 Eric Guttierez Mr. Leather Europe 2011 Paris, France 53 men from 7 countries Harris Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [55][56][57]
2012 34 Woody Woodruff Mr. Michigan Leather 2012 Waterford, Michigan 49 men Harris Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [58]
2013 35 Andy Cross Mr. San Francisco Leather 2013 San Francisco, California 51 men from 6 countries, including 24 U.S. states and D.C. Harris Theater & Marriott Michigan Ave. Chicago [59][60][61][62]
2014 36 Ramien Pierre Mr. D.C. Eagle 2014 Washington, D.C. 46 men from 5 countries Harris Theater & Marriott Michigan Ave. Chicago [63][64][65][66]
2015 37 Patrick Smith Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2015 Los Angeles, California 52 men from 9 countries, including 22 U.S. states and D.C. Park West and Harris Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [28][67][68]
2016 38 David "Tigger" Bailey Mr. New Jersey Leather 2016 Howell, New Jersey 59 men from 8 countries, including 24 U.S. states and D.C. Park West and Harris Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [69][70]
2017 39 Ralph Bruneau Mr. GNI (Gay Naturists International) Leather 2016 Los Angeles, California 63 men from 12 countries, including 23 U.S. states and D.C. Auditorium Theatre & Congress Plaza Hotel [32]
2018 40 James Lee Mr. Kentucky Leather 2017 Lexington, Kentucky 71 men from 14 countries, including 25 U.S. states and D.C. Auditorium Theatre & Congress Plaza Hotel [27][71]
2019 41 Jack Thompson Leatherman of Color 2019 Baltimore, Maryland 68 men from 13 countries, including 23 U.S. states, D.C., and Puerto Rico Auditorium Theatre & Congress Plaza Hotel [39][29]
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 men from 11 countries, including 22 U.S. states and D.C. Arie Crown Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [30][72]
2023 45 Marcus Barela Eagle LA Mr. Leather 2023 Los Angeles, California 54 men from 10 countries, including 20 U.S. states and D.C. Auditorium Theatre & Congress Plaza Hotel [73][33][74]
2024 46 Jamal "Alpha Pup Savage" Herrera-O'Malley San Francisco Eagle Leather Pup 2024 San Francisco, California 59 men from 9 countries, including 20 U.S. states and D.C. Venue SIX10 at Spertus Institute, McCormick Place, & Congress Plaza Hotel [75]
2025 47 Rene Hebert Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2025 Palm Springs, California 68 men from 11 countries, including 24 U.S. states The Vic Theatre & Congress Plaza Hotel [34]

^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

[edit]

In 1984 Ron Moore became the first black man to win International Mr. Leather.[76] In 1997, his sister Genelle Moore won International Ms. Leather, which made them the first siblings to hold international leather titles.[77][78]

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.[53][79]

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.[39] His win also marked the first time black men won consecutive International Mr. Leather titles.[80]

International Mr. Bootblack

[edit]

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.

During the Saturday contest, before the Pecs and Personality segment, each of the contestants for International Mr. Bootblack is required to give a speech to the contest audience, giving future patrons for the following day an idea of who they may like to vote for. The next day, during the Sunday contest, the IMBB winner is announced (along with the first and second runners-up and the winner of the Brotherhood Award, on which the IMBB competitors vote and which is roughly analogous to the Miss Congeniality Award from various traditional beauty contests). This occurs before the announcement of IML's winner and runners-up, after which all seven men may return to the stage for photos.

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.[81]

In 2019, Dutch bootblack Kriszly de Hond became the first primarily non-English speaking IMBB titleholder (he gave his contestant speech in English, but his primary language was Dutch), as well as the first to originate from outside North America. These distinctions made him the first truly International Mr. Bootblack.

In early 2023, in the months leading up to the convention, the entirety of IMBB staff resigned from their positions, citing many years of mistreatment and dwindling interest in the contest. This mass resignation effectively made the occurrence of IMBB impossible until negotiations and compromises were agreed upon by the IML and IMBB staffs.[82] There are currently plans to bring the IMBB contest back for IML 48 in 2026.

IMBB Winners

[edit]

As of 2025, 28 contestants representing four countries have won IMBB: the United States (24), Canada (2), the Netherlands (1), and the United Kingdom (1).[83]

Year Winner Preliminary Contest / Primary Sponsor Winner's city Contestants
1993 David Morgan D.C. Eagle Washington, D.C.
1994 William Shields, Jr. Chicago Eagle & the Chicago Hellfire Club Chicago, Illinois
1995 Tim Cousins D.C. 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 D.C. 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. 8
2002 Michael Lanzini The Lure New York, 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, & Eagle NYC New York, 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 & SF Eagle Oakland, California 7
2015 Bamm-Bamm International Leatherboy 2012, SF Eagle San Francisco, California 6
2016 Erick Joseph Alaska State Bootblack 2015 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
2024 No contest held
2025

Cultural impact & legacy

[edit]
Image of the front entrance of the Leather Archives & Museum in Chicago, Illinois, pictured in 2015.
IML proceeds have been placed in a trust to benefit the Leather Archives & Museum.[84]

According to the Chicago Reader in 2024, "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."[85] IML has also improved the visibility and popularity of leather culture;[86][87] past IML contestants and attendees have founded leather organizations, competitions, and businesses around the world, including National Leather Association International.[88][89][90]

IML proceeds have been placed in a trust to benefit the Leather Archives & Museum.[84] The museum’s photos, videos, and oral histories chronicling IML (and International Ms. Leather) were featured in a 2015 documentary by Christina Court, titled High Shine: 15 Years of International Ms Bootblack.[91]

Recognition

[edit]
  • In 1995, “Chuck Renslow – IML” was one of the recipients of the International Deaf Leather Recognition Award.[92]
  • In 1999 IML received the Business of the Year award as part of the Pantheon of Leather Awards.[93]
  • In 2007 and 2012 IML received the Large Event of the Year award as part of the Pantheon of Leather Awards.[93]
  • In 2010 IML was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame.[94]
  • In 2010, director Mike Skiff released the documentary film Kink Crusaders, which chronicled the history of IML as well as the 2008 convention. The film featured interviews with Renslow, as well as past IML winners David Kloss, Guy Baldwin, Jeff Tucker, Tony Mills, John Pendal, Mikel Gerle, and then-contestant Gary Iriza. The following year, an epilogue was added to document the historic win of Tyler McCormick.[95]
  • In 2018, IML was inducted into the Leather Hall of Fame during Cleveland Leather Annual Weekend 2018.[96][97]
  • On May 25, 2018, the Chicago City Council voted to honorarily designate a stretch of Clark Street in Uptown (between Winnemac Avenue and Ainslie Avenue) as "Chuck Renslow Way";[98][99] the city unveiled the new street sign during the anniversary of IML.[100]

See also

[edit]

Footnotes

[edit]
  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.
  3. ^ International Mr. Leather, Inc. "Contestant Application" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-03-24. Retrieved 2005-12-21.
  4. ^ "Leather Archives & Museum Announcement". Twitter. 2009-05-25. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
  5. ^ "IML Makes History". Will Clark World. 2009-07-15. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
  6. ^ International Mr. Leather, Inc. "Official IML Scoring Procedure". Archived from the original on 2005-12-22. Retrieved 2005-12-21.
  7. ^ International Mr. Leather, Inc. "IML 2004". Archived from the original on 2006-03-24. Retrieved 2005-12-18.
  8. ^ International Mr. Leather, Inc. (2005-05-30). Michael Egdes Named International Mr. Leather 2005 Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago. (Microsoft Word). Press release. Archived from the original on 2005-12-23. Retrieved 2005-12-19.
  9. ^ "International Mr. Leather – Bootblack Contest". Archived from the original on 2006-03-24. Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  10. ^ "International Mr. Leather – Past Bootblack Winners". Archived from the original on 2006-03-24. Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  11. ^ International Mr. Leather, Inc. (2007-05-27). Mikel Gerle Named International Mr. Leather 2007. (Microsoft Word). Press release. Archived from the original on 2007-07-21. Retrieved 2007-05-30.
  12. ^ "International Mr. Bootblack 2013 Press Release" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  13. ^ Source for 1979 to 2003: 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.
  14. ^ Source for 2004 to 2008: "International Mr. Leather - History". Archived from the original on 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2009-03-15.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Street, Mikelle (2019-01-19). "What You Need To Know About International Mr. Leather 2019". Out. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  2. ^ a b Peregrin, Tony (2012-05-21). "International Mr. Leather competition to include two gay weddings in 34th year". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  3. ^ "International Mr. Leather". Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  4. ^ a b Goldsborough, Bob (2017-06-30). "Chuck Renslow, Chicago gay community icon and International Mr. Leather contest founder, dies at 87". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  5. ^ a b c d "File:International Mr Leather 1979.jpg", Wikipedia, 2024-05-27, retrieved 2024-05-27
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Croix, Sukie de la (2003-05-21). "International Mr. Leather Hits 25th Anniversary". Windy City Times. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  7. ^ "International Mr. Leather". International Mr. Leather. Retrieved 2024-08-06. International Mr. Leather, International Mr. Bootblack, the Wingman logo, and "IML" are all trademarks or registered trademarks of International Mr. Leather, Inc., or The Renslow Charitable Foundation used under the terms of a licencing agreement, all rights reserved.
  8. ^ "Man's Country". Drummer. 5 (38). San Francisco: Alternate Publishing: 55.
  9. ^ "Glynn Sudbery". Leather Archives & Museum. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  10. ^ "Leather History Timeline". Leather Archives & Museum. Archived from the original on 2010-08-03. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
  11. ^ "The History of Bootblacking". Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  12. ^ "Leather Archives & Museum Announcement". Twitter. 2009-05-25. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
  13. ^ "KANE, "DRUMMER," AND DEBLASE — Rick Storer, Leather Archives & Museum — San Francisco Leathermen's Discussion Group". Sfldg.org. 2014-10-22. Retrieved 2020-04-24.
  14. ^ Croix, Sukie de la (2003-05-21). "International Mr. Leather Hits 25th Anniversary". Windy City Times. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  15. ^ Ambrosius, Andy (2015-05-19). "IML 2015 going back to its Chicago roots May 21-25". GoPride Chicago. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  16. ^ "Barela wins International Mr. Leather title". Windy City Times. 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  17. ^ a b "IML officially cancelled for 2020". Windy City Times. 2020-05-26. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  18. ^ a b Farinas, Gerald (2021-06-09). "IML cancels November date; will return Memorial Day weekend 2022". GoPride Chicago. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  19. ^ "Event Schedule". International Mr. Leather. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  20. ^ "Watch IML Live: Pay-Per-View". Recon. 2025-03-21. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  21. ^ "IML visitors are off to (the leather) market". Windy City Times. 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
  22. ^ "International Mr. Leather 2019 market attracts thousands". Windy City Times. 2019-05-27. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
  23. ^ "IML XXX5 Vendor Market list and map". Windy City Times. 2013-05-15. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
  24. ^ a b c d e "Application". International Mr. Leather. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq Leather Archives & Museum (2004). Bean, Joseph W. (ed.). International Mr. Leather: 25 Years of Champions (1st ed.). Las Vegas, Nevada: Nazca Plains. pp. 206–207. ISBN 1-887895-38-8.
  26. ^ a b Rhodes, Dave (2014-12-04). "Mr. New England Leather 2015 Dalton Flint". The Leather Journal. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "International Mr. Leather 40: The contestants". Windy City Times. 2018-05-27. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  28. ^ a b c d Rhodes, Dave (2015-05-29). "Patrick Smith wins IML and Bamm Bamm is IMBB 2015". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  29. ^ a b c Rhodes, Dave (2019-05-19). "IMBB and IML 2019 Contestants Preview". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  30. ^ a b Rhodes, Dave (2022-06-07). "IML 2022 Winners, Top 20 and Contenders". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  31. ^ a b "Mikel Gerle Named International Mr. Leather 2007". GoPride Chicago (ChicagoPride.com). Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  32. ^ a b Rhodes, Dave (2017-05-19). "IML and IMBB 2017 Contestant Bios and Photos". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  33. ^ a b Rhodes, David (2023-05-19). "The Leather Journal's IML 2023 Contestants Preview". The Leather Journal. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  34. ^ a b "Contestant Counts and Countries — IML47". Bluesky. International Mr. Leather. 2025-05-01. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  35. ^ a b Leatherati (2016-08-26). "IML 2010 Contestants". Medium. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  36. ^ a b "27th Annual International Mr. Leather in Chicago, May 26-30". GoPride Chicago (ChicagoPride.com). Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  37. ^ Mister Marcus (2008-04-07). "Mr. Powerhouse wins it!". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  38. ^ a b "International Mr. Leather 2008, first photos". Windy City Times. 2008-05-28. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  39. ^ a b c d Street, Mikelle (2019-05-26). "Jack Thompson Is the First Trans POC to Win International Mr. Leather". Out. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  40. ^ Wade, Matthew (2015-09-17). "Throwback: When Patrick Brookes was crowned Mr Leather Australia". Star Observer. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  41. ^ Mister Marcus (2006-03-28). "Remembrances". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  42. ^ Rhodes, Dave (1992-12-21). "Leather Titles in 1992". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  43. ^ Jones, Arnold Wayne (2009-05-28). "That's MISTER Leather to you!". Dallas Voice. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  44. ^ Lenius, Steve (2003-06-13). "International Mr. Leather 2003—Silver Anniversary". Leather Life. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  45. ^ "International Mr. Leather 2005". Windy City Times. 2005-06-01. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  46. ^ "2006 IML switches locations, moves to Chicago Theatre". GoPride Chicago (ChicagoPride.com). Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  47. ^ "29th Annual International Mr. Leather Contest: May 24-28, 2007". GoPride Chicago (ChicagoPride.com). Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  48. ^ Mister Marcus (2007-05-29). "LA's Mikel Gerle wins IML". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  49. ^ Mister Marcus (2008-05-27). "Californians sweep IML 2008". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  50. ^ "Life After IML - June 2008". www.pawscave.dircon.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  51. ^ Lenius, Steve (2009-06-19). "International Mr. Leather 2009". Leather Life. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  52. ^ "31st annual International Mr. Leather photos". Windy City Times. 2009-05-27. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  53. ^ a b Brogan, Scott (2010-06-01). "Trans man wins IML 2010". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  54. ^ Leatherati (2016-08-26). "IML 2010 Complete Coverage". Medium. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  55. ^ Leatherati (2016-08-26). "IML 2011 Recap". Medium. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  56. ^ Anthony, Brett. "Eric Guttierez named International Mr. Leather 2011". GoPride Chicago (ChicagoPride.com). Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  57. ^ "Eric - Mr. Leather Europe 2010". ECMC. 2024-01-23. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  58. ^ "International Mr. Leather 2012 crowned". Windy City Times. 2012-05-28. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  59. ^ "Andy Cross wins International Mr. Leather 2013". Windy City Times. 2013-05-26. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  60. ^ Rhodes, Dave. "51 men will compete for the IML 2013 title - The Leather Journal". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  61. ^ Burger, Rodney (2013-03-08). "A Two-Headed Titleholder? Seeing Double at Mr. SECC Leather Contest" (PDF). Baltimore Out Loud. Vol. 10, no. 20. p. 22. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  62. ^ "Clark Wins Code" (PDF). Watermark: Your LGBT Life. Vol. 20, no. 7. 2013-04-10. p. 43. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  63. ^ Rhodes, Dave. "German Native, Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2014 at IML 36! - The Leather Journal". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  64. ^ Bannon, Race (2014-06-10). "Chicago Style". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  65. ^ Rhodes, Dave. "IML Class of 2014 - Part III - The Leather Journal". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  66. ^ "Ramien Pierre wins International Mr. Leather 2014". GoPride Chicago (ChicagoPride.com). Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  67. ^ Staff, Windy City (2015-05-25). "International Mr. Leather chosen". Windy City Times. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  68. ^ "IML 2015 Contestants - The Leather Journal". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  69. ^ Rhodes, Dave (2016-06-05). "IML 2016 was hotter than the weather in Chicago". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  70. ^ Rhodes, Dave (2016-05-17). "IML Class of 2016 Bios and Photos - The Leather Journal". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  71. ^ Rhodes, Dave. "IML 2018 Contestants' Photos and Bios - The Leather Journal". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
  72. ^ "Bleather - Bear and Leather Pride". Mobile Leather Weekend. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  73. ^ "Barela wins International Mr. Leather title". Windy City Times. 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  74. ^ "Podcast: Andy Walgraef (Mister Leather Belgium/Europe) & Johnny Verburg (Mister Bear Belgium) Videov". gaylive.be. 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  75. ^ Rhodes, Dave (2024-05-16). "IML 2024 Contestants Preview". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  76. ^ "Displaying items by tag: International Leather". The Leather Journal. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
  77. ^ "Cuir Underground". www.black-rose.com.
  78. ^ "Leather Archives & Museum". Twitter. 23 May 2020. Retrieved 28 Aug 2022.
  79. ^ "Tyler McCormick, International Mr. Leather 2010 - Leatherati Online". Leatherati.com. 2011-01-04. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
  80. ^ Rhodes, Dave (2019-05-31). "Jack Thompson is the first Trans POC to win IML title". www.theleatherjournal.com.
  81. ^ https://www.sfldg.org/all-programs/2014/10/22/on-the-road-with-the-leather-archives-museum-rick-storer
  82. ^ https://www.theleatherjournal.com/news/iml-2023-is-marcus-barela#:~:text=We%20will%20post%20a%20running,stand%2Dalone%20IMBB%20Weekend%20event.
  83. ^ https://www.internationalmrleather.com/team
  84. ^ a b "Leather Archives & Museum Announcement". Twitter. 2009-05-25. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
  85. ^ Caporale, Micco (2024-01-31). "Leather could be for everyone". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  86. ^ "Our Story". Eagle NYC. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  87. ^ Cheves, Alexander (2017-11-09). "35 DOs and DON'Ts of a Gay Leather Bar". Advocate. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  88. ^ "Judge 5, Daniel Premack - Executive Producer of Mister Leather Israel (Tel Aviv, Israel)" (PDF). Darklands Festival. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  89. ^ "About Us – History of Leather64TEN". Leather64TEN. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  90. ^ "History - NLA International". National Leather Association International. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  91. ^ Creane, C. "The making of the Documentary, "High Shine: 15 Years of International Ms Bootblack" - The Leather Journal". www.theleatherjournal.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  92. ^ "International Deaf Leather | AWARDS". July 4, 2021.
  93. ^ a b "Pantheon of Leather Awards All Time Recipients - The Leather Journal". www.theleatherjournal.com. Archived from the original on 2015-03-25. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  94. ^ "Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2015-10-17. Retrieved 2015-06-28.
  95. ^ https://imdb.com/title/tt1736010/
  96. ^ "CLAW". Clawinfo.org. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  97. ^ "Claw". Leatherhalloffame.com. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  98. ^ "Record No. O2018-3236 - Office of the City Clerk". City of Chicago, Office of the City Clerk. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  99. ^ "Chuck Renslow street dedication May 19". Windy City Times. 2018-05-07. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  100. ^ "Chuck Renslow Way". Honorary Chicago. 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Mr._Leather&oldid=1305791105"