International Mr. Leather
International leather subculture event From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
International leather subculture event From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
| International Mr. Leather | |
|---|---|
IML Wingman logo | |
 IML 29 at the Chicago Theatre (2007) | |
| Nickname | IML |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | |
| Frequency | Annually, Memorial Day weekend |
| Location(s) | Chicago, Illinois |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | 1979 |
| Organised by | International Mr. Leather Inc. |
| Website | www |
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.
IML organizers also produce the International Mr. Bootblack competition.
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]
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]
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] 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."[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]
As of 2024, to qualify for IML, prospective contestants must:
Contest finalists are selected following:
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.
Each of the 20 finalists is judged at the Sunday IML contest on a scale from 0 to 100 in the following order:
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.
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] |
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. 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 | 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 | 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] |
| Contest cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | [17] | ||||||||
| [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.
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]
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 |
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.
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.
The following is a table of IMrBB contest winners:
| 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 |
| Contest cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||||
| 2022 | Alistair LeatherHiraeth | Bootblack Europe 2020 | Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom | 3 |
| Contest cancelled due to staff resignation[78] | ||||
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]
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