This year was the 30th International Mr. Leather Contest in Chicago. It’s hard to believe 30 years ago our good friend, Durk Dehner, founder of the Tom of Finland Foundation and David Kloss from San Francisco battled it out to become the first International Mr. Leather. It’s also hard to believe our very own Lee Butler was there in 1979 and in 2008 made top 20 for the highest leather title in the world.

The hardest thing to believe, though, is there were young men in this year’s contest who weren’t even born when all this was happening. At this point I’m not sure whether it’s more shocking that this group of 20- and 30-something titleholders with unorthodox ideas are leading their communities and competing for International Mr. Leather, or the fact that the rest of us are desperately hanging on to the way it was back in the day.

Still, we love International Mr. Leather! We love the “family reunion” that it’s become after 30 years. We love the pageantry of the contest. We love the fact that a Canadian leather man in a wheelchair, a pierced and tattooed man from Germany, a straight man from Iowa, and a drop-dead gorgeous man from Montreal can make top 20 in the same contest, with the latter chosen first runner-up. We love the fact that Gary Iriza – a Venezuelan from Palm Springs (flip flops and chaps capital of the world) – can be chosen International Mr. Leather XXX. We love that a craftsman known as “bootdog” can demonstrate enough skill to become International Mr. Bootblack 2008. We love the largest leather market on earth that features everything from videos to beds. Finally, we love the sex.

After all the reuniting, pageantry and shopping, we want to get off with one or all of the thousands of men in Chicago during IML weekend. The real International Mr. Leather weekend experience lies somewhere between “Oh my God!” and “Next.” It’s an addictive thrill ride that pulls on your balls for five days and leaves you hungry for next year. Keep your eyes on the Web site, www.imrl.com, if you haven’t already made plans to attend.

Now that we’ve packed our bags to depart Chicago and filed our tricks’ numbers, it’s time to return to the reality of San Diego. Lucky for us there’s a cum load of shit happening to keep the momentum going. This Saturday night, May 31, is the BigMuscle.com party at Bourbon Street. Get there at 9 p.m. for a hosted bar and good eats courtesy of Bourbon Street and Lei. You know you have nothing to do Saturday night but wait to make an entrance, so you may as well make that entrance early and join the rest of us for food and drink. It’s free from 9-10 p.m., and how often does THAT happen? The fun will continue all night with hosts Mr. San Diego Leather 2007 and 2008, Lee Butler and Sidney Mcfadden. Lee just competed and made top 20 at IML so here’s a chance to congratulate him on a job well done. UrbanBody gym will be there to add some muscle along with the guys from JakeMitchell.com. If you’re a member of BigMuscle.com or any of the other BigMuscle sites you can get a T-shirt and get your profile “verified” to prove you’re really who you say you are. You don’t have to be a member of the BigMuscle sites to attend, but you do have to be in leather or bare chested. Over in North Park the San Diego Eagle will be hosting its infamous Black Out party. The lights will be low and you know how we love our “mood” lighting.

Can it already be June? BearNight at Bacchus House kicks it all off on June 7 at 9 p.m. and happens every first Saturday of the month. For info and updates join the MySpace page at www.myspace.com/bearnightsandiego. Also, Big Tom will be hosting a new event the second Saturday of each month at Bacchus House. What’s up with Bacchus House all of a sudden?

Looks like we’ll be busy the next few weeks!

OK, time to get packed to come home. See ya’ soon, In The Pit. Write me at inthepitsd@aol.com.