The 31st Annual International Mr. Leather Contest will forever be known as the year of change. The outcome of the 2008 contest left attendees with lots of questions, confusion and doubt as to whether the world’s top leather title represented the members of the leather community. Unfortunately, when an event becomes too large it sometimes alienates the very people it was created to entertain. If International Mr. Leather (IML) were to survive as a celebration of the leather lifestyle, it would need to rid itself of the circuit-party atmosphere and attract the community-minded leather people it was created to represent. 2009 welcomed a new beginning for IML with new leadership and a new hotel – one change that was not received well by attendees. Still, nothing could dampen the hyper-sexual atmosphere that surrounds International Mr. Leather week. Thursday night’s opening ceremonies saw more than 50 hopefuls take the stage, introduce themselves and draw their numbers. This is also the time when leather men search the crowd for those who can be persuaded to ditch the ceremony and engage in their own form of competition. Although IML is the featured event, the real fun always happens elsewhere.

There’s a party for everyone at IML. Each day saw at least two “Leather Recovery” meetings. Not sure if they were for those who have a leather addiction or dealing with substance abuse, but the meetings were there nonetheless. Horny men looking for a bit more “kink” in their afternoons could partake in the “Rubber Meet and Greet,” “Woof Camp” for canine kinksters, “Bootblack Reception,” “Gear Blast” for those who like to dress up, “MAUL Uniform Party,” and the “Onyx Party,” for those who want to bump and grind to urban beats and of course the “San Francisco Party” honoring the current it-boy, Brandon Clark. As always, the real sin and debauchery took place in freshly discovered hallways and stairwells of the new hotel. And, if your eyes and lungs were strong enough to withstand the “smoking area” you would have been able to experience a throw back to the good old days of smoke, sweat and free flowing male DNA.

International Mr. Leather is still about the contest. Sunday night saw the 50 plus hopefuls cut down to 20 finalists. The 2009 top-20 list read like a who’s who from the most prominent leather supported areas: Mid-Atlantic; Texas; New York Eagle; Phoenix; Bavaria; Ottawa; London Hoist; London Eagle; Sacramento Bolt; Atlanta; Los Angeles; Australia; Toronto; San Francisco…to name a few. There were no small towns or under dogs in this year’s top 20. Missing from the list were: Mr. Camp Mars; Mr. Mountain Leather; Mr. Gay Naturist; Mr. Gay Days Leather; Mr. Russian River; Mr. Palm Springs; and, sadly, Mr. San Diego Eagle.

IML 2009 was sending a clear message after last year’s contest. The new International Mr. Leather 2009 would be well prepared, well established and well supported by his community. Most of all, he would be someone the leather community could be proud to have as a representative. When all the points were tallied, Mr. Texas Leather, Jeffrey Payne, was named International Mr. Leather 2009. The first runner up was a young man whom I met a few weeks ago from Ottawa, Brendan McGovern. The second runner up was Mr. Atlanta Eagle, Alan Penrod. Surprisingly, none of the Californians were among the winners, although I expected Mr. Bolt, Rick Russell or Mr. San Francisco, Brandon Clark to take one of the top spots. I guess Los Angeles winning in 2007 and Palm Springs in 2008 was enough California for now.

Back at home, the Leather Realm at San Diego Pride 2009 is hosting the 1st annual Festival of Sanctuary Kinky Carnival on Saturday, June 6. The event, which takes place from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. in North Park, will feature a day of kinky vendors from around the community. There will be kinky carnival games run by clubs and organizations. An open community Feast will take place from 3:30 until 7 p.m. There are lots of ways for businesses, groups and individuals to get involved. This is one of those events that can inject more excitement into the San Diego community. For more information, contact info@sandiegoleatherrealm.com or check the Web site.

www.sandiegoleatherrealm.com

See ya there…. Really, I will!