International Deaf Leather 2011
Alex LO (Mama's Graphic Guru) attended IDL 2011 and shared the experience and pics with us.
Photo by Alex LO thesecondskin.net The International Deaf Leather Family grew by two more on July 14th as Sir Justin Eddy & boy david pirc were sashed International Mr. Deaf Leather & International Deaf Leatherboy. Denver Colorado was the site of the 20th anniversary IDL celebration which brought out most of the titleholders from the organization's 2 decade long history. "For 20 years we have hosted contests that produced some of the best Leather titleholders around." says IDL President Alex "boy alex" Leffers. "We've also created a safe place for Deaf Leather people to come together and celebrate who we are, and to be ourselves...without fear of bigotry and hatred. We could just be ourselves and have fun."
Photo by Alex LO thesecondskin.net And a fun time was had by all as former & current Titleholders from the hearing & Deaf communities came together to serve as the judging panel. Beginning with a meet & greet and Titleholders Roast at The Compound Wednesday night July 13th, this year's judges were introduced: Head Judge Val Sherrill, International Ms. Deaf Leather 2010; Phillip Rubin, the first International Mr. Deaf Leather from 1991; International Mr. Deaf Leather 2004, "Teddy" O'Rourke; our first American Leatherwoman 1994, Sarah Humble; Bruce Chopnik, International Mr. Leather 1999; Americal Leatherboy 2008 boy chris scherrer; and Mr. Leather Colorado 2010 Brent Heinze. The main panel was supported by Alternate Judge Thomas A Roshka, Mr. Leather Colorado 2005; Judges boy justen adams; Tallymasters Bob Rourke (ImrDL 1999) and IDLboy 2009/2010 boy taz and a Committee & coordination team lead by Co-Chairs Bob Donaldson (ImrDL 1992) and Jose Granda (ImrDl 1994), along with current IMrDL 2010 Terry Morrell.
Playing up this year's theme "Our IDL Family Continues to Grow" at Thursday night's contest, Val Sherrill & Terry Morrell "played doctor" to introduce the audience to the former "Titleholders babies" all grown up into proud Leather men, women & boys, and then the 2011 contestant's Sir Justin & boy david. The night was filled with remembrances of former IDL contests including footage from the very first International Deaf Leather in 1991.
In a welcome surprise, and fitting for the theme of the 20th IDL, Val Sherrill announced that she will retain her IMsDL title for one more year, making this the first time since 2006 that International Deal Leather has had a complete "Title Family". Shortly after his win ImrDL 2011 Sir Justin Eddy said "(This was my) first time in Denver, I made a few new friends. I had a lot of fun. I'm grateful to be bestowed the IMrDL 2011 title."
For more information on International Deaf Leather & the IDL 2012 celebration July 15-19 In Baltimore, visit www.internationaldeafleather.org
Winners & Judges from the Intl. Deaf Leather 20th Anniversary Contest. (Standing L-R) Intl. Deaf Leather 2004 Teddy O'Rourke; IML 1999 Bruce Chopnik, Mr. Leather Colorado 2010 Brent Heinze; American Leatherwoman 2004 Sarah Humble; Mr. Leather Colorado 2005 Thomas A Roshka (Alt Judge); Intl. Ms. Deaf Leather 2010/2011 Val Sherrill; Intl. Mr. Deaf Leather 1991 Phillip Rubin; Intl Mr. Deaf Leather 2011 Sir Justin Eddy. (Kneeling L-R) American Leatherboy 2008 boy Chris Scherrer; Intl. Deaf Leatherboy 2011 boy David Pirc
Check out more photos in Leatherati Galleries courtesy of Alex LO thesecondskin.net
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