International Mr. Leather

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International Mr. Leather
International-Mr-Leather-logo.jpg
IML Wingman logo
International Mr Leather 29-Chicago Theater-01.jpg
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.
Website www.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.

Contents

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.

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

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.[ citation needed ]

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] 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) International Mr Leather 1979.jpg
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] 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

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

Eligibility

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

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.

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

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]

CountryRegionFirst Competed A Wins B Win Year(s)Ref.
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Oceania198011980 [25] [27]
Flag of Austria.svg Austria Europe20180 [27]
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium Europe199612022 [25] [27]
Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil South America20170 [27]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada North America198112006 [25] [27]
Flag of Chile.svg Chile South America20150 [28]
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China
(Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong)
Asia20190 [29]
Flag of Colombia.svg Colombia South America20220 [30]
Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark Europe20070 [31]
Flag of Finland.svg Finland Europe20170 [32]
Flag of France.svg France Europe200212011 [25] [27]
Flag of Germany.svg Germany Europe198721987, 2001 [25] [27]
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland Europe20000 [25] [28]
Flag of Israel.svg Israel Asia19950 [25] [27]
Flag of Italy.svg Italy Europe19900 [25] [27]
Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico North America20180 [27]
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands Europe199311993 [25] [27]
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand Oceania19930 [25]
Flag of Norway.svg Norway Europe20000 [25] [33]
Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines Asia20250 [34]
Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa Africa20100 [35]
Flag of Spain.svg Spain Europe19880 [25] [27]
Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Europe19850 [25]
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland Europe20040 [36]
Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand Asia19950 [25]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom Europe199412003 [25] [28]
Flag of the United States.svg United States North America1979371979, 1981-1986, 1988-1992, 1994-2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007-2010, 2012-2019, 2023-2025 [25] [27]
Flag of Venezuela.svg Venezuela South America20190 [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

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. Note that winner's city as used in the table variously refers to the preliminary title host city or winner's city of residence.

YearClassWinnerPreliminary Contest / Primary SponsorWinner's cityNumber of ContestantsContest Location & Host HotelRef.
19791David KlossMr. Leather Brig San Francisco, California 12 men from 6 U.S. statesGrand Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel [25] [6]
19802Patrick BrookesMr. Leather Australia Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 18 men from the U.S. and Australia, including 7 U.S. statesGrand Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel [25] [40]
19813Marty KikerSponsored by The Brig & The PhoenixSan Francisco, California36 men from 3 countries, including 11 U.S. states Park West [25]
19824Luke DanielMr. Drummer San Francisco, California46 men from the U.S. and Canada, including 12 U.S. states and D.C.Park West [25] [41]
19835Coulter ThomasMr. 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]
19846Ron MooreMr. 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]
19857Patrick TonerMr. Chaps San FranciscoSan Francisco, California27 men from 3 countries, including 13 U.S. states and D.C.Park West & Allerton Hotel [25]
19868Scott TuckerMr. Philadelphia Leather Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 28 men from 13 U.S. states and D.C.Park West & Lake Shore Hotel [25]
19879Thomas Karasch Mr. Leather Europe Hamburg, Germany 31 men from 3 countries, including 14 U.S. statesPark West & Days Inn [25] [39]
198810Michael PereyraMr. 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]
198911 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]
199012Mark RyanMr. Boston Leather Boston, Massachusetts 48 men from 4 countries, including 22 U.S. statesClubland at The Vic Theatre [25]
199113D CannonMr. CC (of Palm Springs)Los Angeles , California50 men from 3 countries, including 23 U.S. states and D.C.Clubland at The Vic Theatre & Executive House Hotel [25]
199214Lenny BrobergMr. San Francisco LeatherSan Francisco, California56 men from the U.S. and Canada, including 22 U.S. states Aragon Ballroom & Executive House Hotel [25] [42]
199315Henri ten HaveSponsored by Motor Sportclub Amsterdam (MSA) Amsterdam, Netherlands 51 men from 5 countries, including 23 U.S. statesAragon Ballroom & Congress Plaza Hotel [25]
199416Jeff TuckerMr. 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]
199517Larry EverettMr. Oklahoma Leather Collinsville, Oklahoma 50 men from 6 countries, including 25 U.S. states and D.C.Congress Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [25]
199618 Joe Gallagher Mr. Leather New York New York, New York 49 men from 5 countries, including 25 U.S. states and Puerto RicoCongress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [25]
199719Kevin CwaynaMr. Minnesota Leather Minneapolis, Minnesota 53 men from 4 countries, including 23 U.S. states, D.C., and Puerto RicoCongress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [25]
199820 Tony Mills Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather Washington, D.C. 62 men from 6 countries, including 23 U.S. states, D.C., and Puerto RicoCongress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [25]
199921Bruce ChopnikMr. Rocky Mountain LeatherDenver, Colorado52 men from 5 countries, including 22 U.S. states and D.C.Congress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [25]
200022Mike TaylorMr. Heartland Leather Columbus & Cincinnati, Ohio 60 men from 7 countries, including 24 U.S. states and D.C.Congress Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [25]
200123Stefan MüllerBavarian Mr. Leather Munich, Germany 63 men from 7 countries, including 26 U.S. states and D.C.Congress Theater & The Palmer House Hilton [25]
200224Stephen WeberMr. Texas Leather Dallas, Texas 66 men from 7 countries, including 27 U.S. states and D.C.Congress Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [25] [43]
200325John PendalMr. 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]
200426Jason Hendrix Mr. D.C. Eagle 2004 Washington, D.C.57 men from 6 countries, including 23 U.S.statesCongress Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [36]
200527Michael Egdes Mr. Ramrod Fort Lauderdale, Florida 52 men from 6 countries, including 25 U.S. states Navy Pier Skyline Stage & Hyatt Regency Chicago [45] [46]
200628Bo LadashevskaMr. Leather Montreal 2006 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 52 men from 5 countries, including 18 U.S. states Chicago Theatre & The Palmer House Hilton Hotel [47]
200729Mikel GerleMr. Los Angeles Leather 2007Los Angeles, California53 men from 5 countries, including 23 U.S. statesChicago Theatre & The Palmer House Hilton [48] [31]
200830Gary IrizaMr. Palm Springs Leather 2008 Palm Springs, California 51 men from 6 countries, including 21 U.S. statesHyatt Regency Chicago [38] [49] [50]
200931Jeffrey PayneMr. Texas Leather 2009Dallas, Texas54 men from 7 countries, including 26 U.S. states Hilton Chicago [51] [52]
201032Tyler McCormickMr. 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]
201133Eric GuttierezMr. Leather Europe 2011 Paris, France 53 men from 7 countries Harris Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [55] [56] [57]
201234Woody WoodruffMr. Michigan Leather 2012 Waterford, Michigan 49 menHarris Theater & Hyatt Regency Chicago [58]
201335Andy CrossMr. San Francisco Leather 2013San Francisco, California51 men from 6 countries, including 24 U.S. states and D.C.Harris Theater & Marriott Michigan Ave. Chicago [59] [60] [61] [62]
201436Ramien Pierre Mr. D.C. Eagle 2014 Washington, D.C.46 men from 5 countriesHarris Theater & Marriott Michigan Ave. Chicago [63] [64] [65] [66]
201537Patrick SmithMr. Los Angeles Leather 2015Los Angeles, California52 men from 9 countries, including 22 U.S. states and D.C.Park West and Harris Theater & Congress Plaza Hotel [28] [67] [68]
201638David "Tigger" BaileyMr. 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]
201739Ralph BruneauMr. GNI (Gay Naturists International) Leather 2016Los Angeles, California63 men from 12 countries, including 23 U.S. states and D.C. Auditorium Theatre & Congress Plaza Hotel [32]
201840James LeeMr. 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]
201941Jack ThompsonLeatherman of Color 2019 Baltimore, Maryland 68 men from 13 countries, including 23 U.S. states, D.C., and Puerto RicoAuditorium Theatre & Congress Plaza Hotel [39] [29]
202042Contest cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic [17]
202143 [18]
202244Gael Leung Chong WoMr. 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]
202345Marcus BarelaEagle LA Mr. Leather 2023Los Angeles, California54 men from 10 countries, including 20 U.S. states and D.C.Auditorium Theatre & Congress Plaza Hotel [73] [33] [74]
202446Jamal "Alpha Pup Savage" Herrera-O'Malley San Francisco Eagle Leather Pup 2024San Francisco, California59 men from 9 countries, including 20 U.S. states and D.C.Venue SIX10 at Spertus Institute, McCormick Place, & Congress Plaza Hotel [75]
202547Rene HebertMr. Palm Springs Leather 2025Palm Springs, California68 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

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

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

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]

YearWinnerPreliminary Contest / Primary SponsorWinner's cityContestants
1993David Morgan D.C. Eagle Washington, D.C.
1994William Shields, Jr.Chicago Eagle & the Chicago Hellfire Club Chicago, Illinois
1995Tim Cousins D.C. Eagle Washington, D.C.
1996Todd Nelson The Cuff Seattle, Washington
1997DrillerSF Eagle & Daddy's Bar San Francisco, California
1998Matthew DuncanCentaur MCWashington, D.C.
1999Robert Ehrlich D.C. Eagle Washington, D.C.
2000David HawksMid-Atlantic Bootblack 2000 (Centaur MC)Washington, D.C.
2001Paksen BurrellMid-Atlantic Bootblack 2001 (Centaur MC)Washington, D.C.8
2002Michael LanziniThe Lure New York, New York
2003Richie ChameroyDaddy's Bar & Powerhouse BarSan Francisco, California
2004Alan TunstallThe Barracks Bar & Avatar Club Los Angeles, California 8
2005BooBooGreat Lakes Leather Alliance & Laws Leather Cleveland, Ohio 9
2006Benjamin PalmerPumpJack Pub & Priape Vancouver Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 5
2007SpotGreat Lakes Leather Alliance Lansing, Michigan 5
2008BootdogAlameda County Leather Corps Oakland, California 5
2009McGBootblack Toronto 2009 Toronto, Ontario, Canada 6
2010Tim StarkeyBoston Ramrod Boston, Massachusetts 5
2011Jim DeuderNYC Bootblack Roundtable, The Leather Man NYC, & Eagle NYCNew York, New York6
2012Nick ElliottOregon State Bootblack 2011 Portland, Oregon 2
2013Sammy SkloverOregon State Bootblack 2012Portland, Oregon3
2014ScoutEros SF & SF EagleOakland, California7
2015Bamm-BammInternational Leatherboy 2012, SF EagleSan Francisco, California6
2016Erick JosephAlaska State Bootblack 2015 Anchorage, Alaska
2017Ryan "Pawlish" Garner-Carpenterindependent candidate Cincinnati, Ohio 3
2018Lucky RebelMr. Oregon State Leather 2016Portland, Oregon
2019Kriszly de HondMr. Puppy EU 2015, XXXLeather's House Bootblack Zaandam, Netherlands 4
2020Contest cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021
2022Alistair LeatherHiraethBootblack Europe 2020 Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom 3
2023Contest cancelled due to staff resignation
2024No contest held
2025

Cultural impact & legacy

IML proceeds have been placed in a trust to benefit the Leather Archives & Museum. Leather Archives & Museum entrance.jpg
IML proceeds have been placed in a trust to benefit the Leather Archives & Museum.

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

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.
  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

  1. Street, Mikelle (2019-01-19). "What You Need To Know About International Mr. Leather 2019". Out . Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  2. 1 2 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 "File:International Mr Leather 1979.jpg", Wikipedia, 2024-05-27, retrieved 2024-05-27
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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.
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