Another Opening Another Show..IML 2011

A few of the IML contestants Class 2011

International Mr Leather is upon us.  Heads, eyes and bodies of leathermen and leatherwomen will be heading to Chicago Memorial Day weekend.  The Granddaddy of leather contests is here. Always a fun weekend for everyone who attends.

Sad to say, over the past few years the contest itself does not hold the attention as it used to in earlier decades.  The younger generation of leathermen seem to be more concerned about the circuit parties, and working  the floors at the host hotel.  When one returns from the contest  and five out of ten people ask you “who won”?, it becomes very clear what and where their priorities were.

Back in the day when the contest was the main reason you attended IML to support your favorite contestant and to lend your support to your hometown city and their representative, it was indeed a contest.  The contestants all wanted to look their very best and the concern of where the closest gym to the host hotel was located.

Those were the days  when competition you were representing the entire leather community not just your local home town bar should you win the title or one of the runner up positions. Boots were polished, leather was spotless and you had something to say that would make the audience sit up and take notice.

Now a day when competing for a title, those aforementioned things seem to not mean much anymore.  It is indeed sad to attend  leather contests and observe contestants  who’s leather consisted of a belt, and maybe a  few pieces of non fitting borrowed leather.

Although the blame cannot be completely placed on the person running for the title. Much of that blame can be pointed directly at the  bar owners, managers, and mentors of some of the establishments.  There are some fine  supportive leather bars and organization that work with their titleholders. Therefore it is very important that the old guard and the new guard work together to educate, train and mentor our younger leather generation,

This will be the 33rd year for IML.  It is equally as important to have well rounded judges who have a vast knowledge of yesterday, today and tomorrow.  Chuck Renslow, Patrick Batt and all the fine men we have as role models.  The late Etiene, Tony DeBlase, Marcus Hernandez and the dozens of others who have gone before us blazing the trail.  All of our leather community must give some thought to what the next 30 years we intend to accomplish.

The Wicked Witch