An IML DIssenter

Editor's note: We debated long and hard over publishing this submission and in the end we decided that censorship would be a dIsservice to our community, which is comprised of individuals from across the ideological spectrum.  We welcome all comments and submissions but reserve the right to edit or not publish items with extreme profanity or hate language.
 

By Stephen Lane, Ox Balls

What new doors have been opened by having a transexual win IML? None. How many trannies dream of winning a contest for and about leathermen? I guess the same right i have to win a trannie or lesbian contest? 

If i even thought i had a shot at winning such a contest, (I am, btw a 46 year old 6'2" hairy beast, always in leather), would i be allowed to enter? Would it be right for me to enter and take this honor from a deserving trannie or lesbian? 

No. Nor would i choose to enter because i know what i am, and i know the damage it would do if i did. 

Groups can still, in these days of all-inclusiveness, be exclusive...this isnt a episode of Glee. 

Did he/she consider the damage? The leather community is dying...every year there fewer men in leather at IML, at leather bars and leather events. Do you really think having a trannie as a figurehead of the largest group of leathermen will attract the new young gay blood we need? Will it keep the core group of leather-wearing dedicated leathermen together? 

i am pulling my financial/product support from all local leather events that do not have the balls to get the lesbians and trannies out of a group that once represented masculinity, leather, and god forbid, sex.

This is the leather community's Sarah Palin...just in leather.

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As for the banning of anything "Bareback"...did you see all the bestiality videos in the vendor mart at IML?  none of the dogs in those videos were wearing condoms...

Did you see the leatherman in chaps tap-dancing in the talent portion of the IML contest?  I may burn my leathers and switch to rubber.

It is time to grow some balls and set limits, IML used to be sexy...now it is as dull as community center dance.

Comments

[Curious George]

I'm right there with you, brother!

[William "Rubberwilli" Schendel]

Thanks for sharing your view on this issue. I appreciate that there are many people who are conflicted about Tyler winning IML. Thank you for having the courage to share your thoughts.

I'd like to first start by pointing out that you have a semantics issues. "Tranny" (or Trannie as you have spelled it) is slang for Transvestite. Tyler is not a Transvestite.

The rules for IML clearly state that "To compete at International Mr. Leather™, contestants must be male and 21 years of age or older as of the day that you register for IML in Chicago. In order to verify your eligibility to compete, a copy will be made of your government issued photo identification (driver’s license, state ID, or passport) during your Contestant Registration in Chicago." The State of New Mexico, the United States of America and The IML organization considers Tyler a male.

Therefore, at this point not only is "tranny" semantically incorrect, it is factually incorrect. For Tyler to be a "Tranny" as he is male, he would have been in a dress. This was not the case as anyone can see from the photos.

Let's cut to the heart of the matter here. Tyler does not represent your idea of a what a Leatherman should be. Correct?

Who then is the man that will represent the ideal leatherman to all members of our community with no dissent? Please name him so that he may step forward and take his place. We know that there is no one man who can be all to every member of our community.

The selection of Tyler as IML32 has in fact opened doors. Your thoughts posted here are proof of that door being opened. Members of the community are discussing a very difficult topic that has been swept under the carpet for years in this community.

Yes, in certain way the leather community is dying. Based on the interactions I have had, the next generation is liberated from strict definitions that limit their sexual expression. They wish to combine leather, rubber, Nasty Pig and football or soccer gear as an expression of who they are; or they may not feel the need to own any outward symbols/gear that are traditionally associated with the "leather" lifestyle. Instead, they may wear blue jeans and Chuck Taylors, without revealing that they are masters of shibari or flogging. They do not define themselves in narrow categories but rather as sexual beings. Our discomfort with their liberation (which we made possible for them) tries to force them back into a labeled box that we opened in the first place.

The individual selected as IML is but one of many figureheads for the community. Members of the community may choose the figurehead they wish to follow or march to the beat of their own drummer forming their own communities. I would pose that some of the most respected figureheads of the community have never worn a sash, but have operated behind the scenes and in the shadows to create vibrant communities.

Finally, I'll close with something I've stated elsewhere in this discussion: If the always controversial selection of one IML has you burning your leathers and abandoning the community, it would seem to me that you were not that invested in the community in the first place. We pride ourselves on being able to push through the challenges that are presented to us - "32 lashes, next time I'll take 50." Yet burning your leathers would indicate that you are not up for the challenge and instead choose to abandon the entire community. It would then seem that you are hastening the death of the community that you profess to love so dearly.

And in the end, with no disrespect to any of the men who have admirably served in the role or made the dash for the sash, IML just a contest. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Crecelius]

So let me test my understanding....... my options are male, tranny or lesbian? Then by your standard, there's no room for me in the Leather community (and FYI I was the woman who MC'd IML this year).
There are plenty more than three options in our community, and by our community I mean Leather, not BDSM, fetish, Kink or Gear. Add those in and we're at WAY more than your original three options.

You have every right to vote with your wallet, and I will defend your right to do so, but to me and the people I call my "Family", Leather is more than masculinity and sex, and it is more than our wardrobe.

For us, it is about the core values we share. Perhaps you've heard them in passing?
Honor
Integrity
Duty
Service
Community
Loyalty
Brotherhood

Any of those ring a bell? Or are they the strict province of uber manly men alone?

Leather is about the contents of your heart, not the contents of your closet.

And Tyler is a MAN.
Period.

I think he's an amazing guy and I am thrilled he's our IML for this year.