In 2003 San Diego’s Mike Russell became the second International Leather Sir by succeeding Dale Bruenig from Palm Springs. International Leather Sir represents a man who is edgy, skilled in BDSm and “hears the beat of a different drummer”.

Last weekend Mike joined a panel of international judges to select titleholders that embodied the ideals of Drummer Magazine. The contest’s new producer/owners Mark Frazier and Randall Kinnear were adamant International Leather Sir and boy be true BDSm player – NOT POSERS. Quite a feat in today’s realm of titleholders.

The International Leather Sir/boy contest is unlike The International Mr. Leather contest. The main difference, which dates back to the days of the original International Mr. Drummer contest, is the onstage fantasy. A fantasy is a five minute performance that showcases skill and imagination while arousing everyone in the room. A fantasy done right will have the boys fighting over the nearest St. Andrew’s Cross or replacing the man with a blue hanky for a man with a red hanky. It’ll have Sirs shoving their boy’s heads under the table and leather dykes dragging some screaming – but willing – fem off by her hair.

Such was the case of the Leather Sir and boy representing Florida at the International contest last weekend. Even before the contest the Floridians were the most friendly, courteous and genuine of any titleholders I’ve met – local or international – in a long, long time. The moment Florida Leather Sir Raul Mendez and Florida leatherboy Bill Hoeppner hit the stage we knew they were the men to represent the BDSm community of true players. These men are well spoken, well put together and hot as hell. Not just hot but “HOT”, hot. Sir Raul is that South Florida Latin “hot” complete with swagger, accent and long, thick uncut dick showing down his leg through leather pants that make you scream out his name. And we did! The onstage fantasy performed by Sir Raul and boy bill was the best I’ve seen since Mike Russell won in 2003. It wasn’t really a “fantasy” but more a “scene” that we were fortunate enough to witness. In five minutes the Florida contingent that also included Sir Raul’s long term partner – which is a testament to his character – took us from zero to breathless. Sir Raul artistically placed clothes pins on the most sensitive areas of boy bill’s body and masterfully flogged them off sending pins flying into the audience. He punched, rubbed and restrained his sub taking him and the audience to a place of catatonic ecstasy. As if we weren’t hard enough, before the lights went out the strapping Latin seductively unzipped his pants to display thick, black pubes and shoved that f—king lucky, boy bill’s face where we all wanted to be. Damn! The lights went out and it was over leaving us as I said, “breathless”.

Understanding the difference between the roles of international titles is important because there are so many facets to the BDSm/leather community. Especially, since San Diego will once again be the home of the regional contest that feeds into the International Leather Sir/boy Contest. Mr. Mike Little, the current Mr. San Diego Eagle has been chosen as the Executive Producer of Southern California Leather Sir/boy/Community bootblack and will need all of our support in this endeavor. Ah yes, International Leather Sir/boy also includes a bootblack competition and proudly. Our very own bootblack Curtis of San Diego took first runner-up to Toronto’s “Black-Jack” Pearce. There will be more on Curtis and the role of boot blacks in the next column. But for now a huge congratulations to International Leather Sir and boy 2008, Sir Raul and boy bill from Florida. We hope to see you in San Diego next March for San Diego Leather Pride.

Talking about leather fantasies, get over to Pleasures and Treasures for gear that can double for Halloween. They’re offering 13 percent off movies and cock rings this month. That’s it and I’ll see ya “In The Pit.” To contact me, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/ links/1086.