Can you believe it’s already May? All over the country, leather men are preparing to compete for the title of International Mr. Leather. Last weekend, I attended an event in Ohio called CLAW (Cleveland Leather Alliance Weekend), where I met IML hopefuls from all across the globe. There were a few standouts like Mr. Bolt from Sacramento and Mr. Ottawa but I’ll have to give you the down and dirty of CLAW in the next Pit column. There really was some down and dirty!

This week you’re going to meet “Mr. Mike” Little, San Diego’s representative for the International Mr. Leather contest, which is held in Chicago over Memorial Day Weekend. There will be a party at the San Diego Eagle this Saturday, May 2, at 9 p.m., to send him off in style. Mr. Mike is not your typical leather man and he sure is not your typical IML contestant. His strength at the competition will be his years of experience and service to the San Diego leather community, which has prepared him for this moment. International Mr. Leather will be a tough competition this year but in my not-so-humble opinion there is no one more deserving to be there representing America’s Finest City more than “Mr. Mike” Little.

Gay & Lesbian Times: What is your current title, and what role do you play in the SD leather community?

Mr. Mike: For the past year, I have served as Mr. San Diego Eagle. I am currently the Executive Producer of the 2009 California LeatherSIR/boy/Community Bootblack Weekend, which will be held in Long Beach, Aug. 7-9. As Mr. San Diego Eagle, I worked together with the bar and community to coordinate and host events at the bar and represent the San Diego Eagle at other events. As producer of California LeatherSIR, I work with the Greater California Leather Community to coordinate five metro area leaders for the upcoming event.

GLT: Why did you run for Mr. San Diego Eagle?

MM: My first mentor reinforced the value and rewards of giving back to my community that I had learned during my youth, and it was a natural step for me. While I could do many of the same volunteerism, outreach and mentorship, the title puts one in closer touch with a vast network of support and leadership. Finally, the spirit, challenge and camaraderie of competition is its own natural endorphin rush. It causes one to look inward and rewards one with a brotherhood and a bond like nothing else. It’s something I encourage every leather man to make a part of his journey.

GLT: How important is the Eagle to the San Diego leather community?

MM: The San Diego Eagle is San Diego’s only leather-owned and operated community bar, and while it is open to everyone, it does cater to the BDSM, fetish and leather crowds. The San Diego Leatherboys, Yellow Hankies San Diego and, more recently, CCMC call the San Diego Eagle their home bar.

GLT: What support do you get from the San Diego community?

MM: Wow! Where to start and where to stop?!? The San Diego Leather Community represents what I consider ‘the heart and spirit of leather’ – it’s not what we do behind closed doors but how we treat each other 24/7 that makes us different. Now San Diego is not unlike any other close-knit community. There are occasional problems but they are constantly outweighed by the knowledge I have an index of brothers and sisters I can call upon 24/7.

GLT: Why are you competing at International Mr. Leather?

MM: My journey has reached the point and I’m ready. I’ve earned the right.

GLT: What do you hope to accomplish at IML?

MM: First, competing means completing a life-long circle. The decision to compete was the accomplishment. Stepping outside my box. The competition itself is the reward – and the title? It’s just icing on the cake we all get to eat too!

GLT: Good luck at International Mr. Leather, Mr. Mike. As I said earlier, there is no one more deserving to be there representing America’s Finest City.