MIR contest

Last updated
MIR
Rubber Fetish Pride Flag.svg
Rubber Pride Flag
StatusActive
GenreRubber, Fetish, Kink
FrequencyAnnually
Location Chicagoland
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated1997 (1997)
Most recentOctober 16-19, 2025
Organised byMIR Contest, NPO
Website mirubber.com

MIR, formerly Mr. International Rubber, is a multi-day convention and contest celebrating the rubber, fetish, and kink communities. [1] Established in 1997, MIR occurs annually in Chicagoland during the autumn, drawing participants and attendees from all over the world. [2] Events include workshops, socials, dances, market, and the contest.

Contents

History

MIR started in 1997 hosted at the Boystown bar, Cell Block, and has been run every year since. [3] In 2009 MIR contest moved to the Center on Halsted to account for larger crowds. [4] In 2020 MIR 24 was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [5] MIR 27 in 2023 moved to a new location in Skokie, Illinois. [6]

At MIR 27 in 2023, organizers announced that the event would allow contestants of all genders to compete; [6] the contest winner may chose whichever honorific best represents them as MIR titleholder: Mr. International Rubber, Ms. International Rubber, Mx. International Rubber, or MIR International Rubber Ambassador. [7] To promote inclusion, organizers also changed the official name of the contest from "Mr. International Rubber" to gender-neutral "MIR." [7]

The Leather Archives & Museum holds many of MIR's records. [8]

Winners

As of October 2025, 28 contestants representing nine countries have won MIR: the United States (14), Canada (5), Germany (2), the Netherlands (2), Australia (1), France (1), Italy (1), Poland (1), and the United Kingdom (1).

Below is a table of MIR contest winners. [9] Winner's Country as used in the table refers to the winner's country of residence at the time they won the competition.

YearClassWinnerPreliminary Title / SponsorWinner's CountryRef.
2025MIR 29Elliott EveMx Melbourne Rubber 2024Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia [9] [10]
2024MIR 28RushM. San Francisco Rubber 2024Flag of the United States.svg United States [11]
2023MIR 27AJ HuffMr. San Francisco Rubber 2020Flag of the United States.svg United States [12]
2022MIR 26Pusckatt Pumera ONYXMr. Florida Rubber 2023Flag of the United States.svg United States [12] [13]
2021MIR 25ChicagoRubberFlag of the United States.svg United States [12]
2020MIR 24Contest was virtual and no MIR titleholder was selected. [12]
2019MIR 23Adalberto RubadamMr. Rubber Netherlands 2019Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands [12]
2018MIR 22Guillaume DupuisM. Rubber Montréal 2018Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada [12]
2017MIR 21Michal NeighbourMr. Rubber Poland 2017Flag of Poland.svg Poland [12]
2016MIR 20Preston "Wexx" SoMr. New England Rubber 2016Flag of the United States.svg United States [12]
2015MIR 19Jeffrey "Gummibärchen" BasileMr. Midwest Rubber 2015Flag of the United States.svg United States [12]
2014MIR 18Max SamauthMr. Rubber Netherlands 2014Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands [12]
2013MIR 17Andy "CosmicRoo" CoathamMr. Rubber Toronto 2013Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada [12]
2012MIR 16Rubber JasonMr. New England Rubber 2012Flag of the United States.svg United States [14]
2011MIR 15Sly HandsMr. Rubber UK 2011Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom [12]
2010MIR 14G-ManMr. Southeast Rubber 2010Flag of the United States.svg United States [12]
2009MIR 13FennMr. Rubber Toronto 2010Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada [12]
2008MIR 12Stephane DonaldsonMr. Rubber Montreal 2008Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada [12]
2007MIR 11BJ TurgeonMr. Rubber Montreal 2007Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada [12]
2006MIR 10Maurizo IaconeMr. Rubber Italy 2006Flag of Italy.svg Italy [12]
2005MIR 9Michael SchneiderMr. Rubclub 2005Flag of Germany.svg Germany [12]
2004MIR 8Frank BugMr. Rubclub 2004Flag of Germany.svg Germany [12]
2003MIR 7Chris VincentFlag of the United States.svg United States [12]
2002MIR 6William "Rubberwilli" SchendelFlag of the United States.svg United States [12]
2001MIR 5Yannick KerjoseFlag of France.svg France [12]
2000MIR 4Chad McLaughlinFlag of the United States.svg United States [12]
1999MIR 3Tom KelleyFlag of the United States.svg United States [12]
1998MIR 2Thomas SmithFlag of the United States.svg United States [12]
1997MIR 1Christoph LehnerFlag of the United States.svg United States [12]

References

  1. "Tips for Newbies". mirubber.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  2. Lieberman, Hallie (2023-05-25). "'Fuck the Rules:' Rubberists are Starting Their Own Revolution". Vice. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  3. "Rubber lovers". Time Out Chicago. 2005-02-04. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  4. "Mr. International Rubber 2010". Time Out Chicago. 2009-10-27. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  5. "MR INTERNATIONAL RUBBER PRESENTS: MIR24 - RUBBER LAB". Demasque Magazine. 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  6. 1 2 "MIR's Intergalactic Rubber celebration soars to a suburb not too far way". Windy City Times. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  7. 1 2 "An Inclusive Contest - MIR Contest". mirubber.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  8. "Mr. International Rubber (MIR) Collection". Leather Archives & Museum . ORG-0015. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  9. 1 2 "Titleholders - MIR Contest". mirubber.com. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  10. Stevens, Joseph (2025-10-24). "Rubber enthusiasts head for the 'burbs to celebrate at MIR International Rubber Weekend". Windy City Times. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  11. Stevens, Joseph (2024-10-20). "International Mr. Rubber goes to Skokie". Windy City Times. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 "Titleholders - MIR Contest". mirubber.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  13. "Mister International Rubber takes the stage at Center on Halsted, Riviera Theatre". Windy City Times . 2022-11-07. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  14. "Jason "RubberJason" Lynch - In Memoriam". mirubber.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.

See also