Leatherati

Mr. Homoto Leather 2012

by Leland Carina

For the first time Homoto Motorcycle Club is sponsoring a candidate for the Mr. SF Leather contest that takes place as part of Leather Alliance Weekend in March.

I spoke with Jay Larson, who was up until recently the club’s President, since he is taking lead on this project. Jay said that Homoto is hoping to inject a new flavor into the contest by representing gear and non-traditional sport bike Leather.

When approaching the idea of sponsoring a candidate, Jay reached out to the membership to ask who might be interested in running; Stephen Charles stepped up. If there had been additional interested parties, Jay says that they would have had an inner-club contest/fundraiser. He adds that this is an idea for next year.

Stephen Charles Mr. Homoto Leather 2012 has been a member of Homoto for two years. He is currently Co-Captian of one of their Saturday Rides and also leads beginner rides for the club. Stephen is also Chair of Gear Up Weekend.

If you would like more information about Homoto, please visit their web site. Please note that in addition to San Francisco, there is also a new chapter in San Jose.

Leland Carina
LelandCarina.com

 

A Milkbone Divided?

By Olivier Pratt

The Leather community isn’t exempt from the trials and tribulations that plague the “normal” vanilla world. In fact, I think that because of our zest, passion and rebellious nature, our squabbles are often worse, more divisive and passionate. Even our playful Pups aren’t immune. 

A puppy brawl has ensued over the resurrection of the International Puppy name and contest.  Two different organizations claim rights to the name and two different events are in the works under that contest banner. Legalities and strife aside, let’s take a look at what we have on the table. In the end it’s the community who’ll have to decide which event will survive, if any, or perhaps both? 

Charles Darwin said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” Change is the one of the universal truths and just as Leather has been struggling with this, so are our sub communities. 

Recently I interviewed Barry Fiddick aka pup Cosmo from of Dallas, Sir Joseph Mastrapasqua from Tampa Bay and Master Phil from North Carolina about their events of the same name.  I made it clear that our position here at Leatherati was not to pick a side or an event, but to present the information to the community for them to discern what they thought was best for them. 

It’s very easy to focus on what separates these men and their events, the disagreement of who has clear ownership of the name International Puppy.  Staying clear of the quagmire of legalities, what’s more important is what these men have in common. Just about every goal and intent is identical, but perhaps these ideals are clouded through the perspectives of passion and anger. 

Everything is STILL Bigger in Texas

by Olivier Pratt

It’s reassuring in times of change and upheaval that some things stay the same. Indeed, everything is STILL bigger in Texas, point in fact, the past Mr. Texas Leather event the weekend of January 27-28th. Leathermen and women from all over the region gathered for a fantastic weekend of Leather fun and a great contest with 7 contestants. That’s right, 7 hot, talented Leathermen competed for the coveted title. When’s the last time you saw 7 qualified men compete in a state contest? Producer Dan Perry and staff did an amazing job, ensuring that everyone had a wonderful time in the Lonestar State. 

The judges for the contest were; Head Judge – Jack Duke, Olivier Pratt, Brent Heinze, David Roy, Jimmie Tucker, Don Cook, Ted Black & Christopher Stinnett. The contestants who battled for the sash were:  Major Jimenez, Jason Kloss, Gabe Sims, John Grissom, Richard Cleaper and Raul Flores. An intimidating group for sure. 

News to Abuse: Northern CA LeatherSIR/boy - Leather Alliance Weekend - Mr Missouri Leather 2012

Northern California LeatherSIR/boy and Community Bootblack Contest is this weekend on February 11, 2012 at 6:00 pm.  The contest will be held at BeatBox (314 11^th St, San Francisco, CA).  Plus a Meet and greet on Feb 10th and a Beer Bust Celebration on Feb 12th.

Full weekend of SIRS/boy/bootblacks and gear!

Leather Alliance Weekend

San Francisco is gearing up-- Leather Alliance Weekend is just around the corner the first weekend of March! Facebook event page at: https://www.facebook.com/events/225872494142082/ 

The two major events of the weekend are the Community Awards Dinner on March 2nd and the Mr SF Leather Contest on March 3rd.

March 1st is the Contestant Meet and Greet at Mr. S Leather followed by Lenny Broberg's Roast/Tribute at the Arc of San Francisco. You can also check out two seminars, one by Patrick Mulcahey and the other by Race Bannon, both of which are part of Darren Bondy's title project Making the Connection. Finally, there is a Victory Brunch at the Beat Box to cap off the weekend. 

The full weekend package is only $80! Tickets are also available for individual events. For more info and links to purchase tickets, please check out the Facebook event page at: https://www.facebook.com/events/225872494142082/

More information is also available on the Leather Alliance Weekend web page: http://leatheralliance.org/events/law-2012/

Mr Missouri Leather 2012

Mr. Missouri Leather 2012 will be the weekend of March 2–4, with all events taking place at JJ's Clubhouse in St. Louis, Missouri. Sponsored by Gateway Motorcycle Club since 1983, this event is one of the longest running annual Leather contests in the country that is sponsored by a single club.

The weekend will kickoff with a “Meet and Greet”, Friday night at 10 PM., for the contestants, judges and bootblack. The annual MML silent auction presented by Gateway MC and a used leather sale presented by Blue Max will round out the evening.

The weekend will continue on Saturday at 10 PM. with the Mr. Missouri Leather 2011 competition, admission $10. The contestants will be judged on Cruise wear, Physique and Personality, Formal wear as well as deliver a short speech to the crowd. The silent auction and used leather sale will continue throughout the evening.

The newly sashed Mr. Missouri Leather 2012 will receive a sponsorship to IML 2012, $100, a title sash and much more. Second place will receive $100, with Third place receiving $50.

The weekend will conclude on Sunday morning with the Mr. Missouri Leather Victory Brunch from 11 AM to 2 PM presented by Blue Max, cost for the brunch is $10.

For more information or a contestant application check out gatewaymc.org or jjsclubhouse.com.

 

Mr. Edge 2012

by Leland Carina

This year's Mr Edge is Will Swagger.  He is also the current Mr October on the Bare Chest Calendar. 

I got in contact with Terry Penn, the manager of the Edge, to ask why there was no Mr. Edge contest this year. Terry said, "We didn't get to have our contest because of the entertainment licensing process we are going through at the moment.  With the guidance from members of the leather community and Mr Edge 2011, Drew Cutler, I appointed Will."

If you would like to meet the new Mr Edge, you may attend a meet and greet at the Edge bar in the Castro, Wednesday February 15th from 7pm to 9pm.

Will Swagger will go on to compete for Mr. SF Leather during Leather Alliance Weekend from March 2nd to 4th.

Leland Carina
LelandCarina.com

IMsL is Hot!

Here's  a sneak peek at the hot stuff IMsL has in store!

THURSDAY registration and play spaces open (ALL weekend!), and attendees can jumpfeet first into the weekend with classes, the smokin' Seduction performances, the Seduction After Party and Speed Tricking! And new this year--the Littles Slumber Party and Petting Zoo.

FRIDAY starts the vending and educational intensives! Plus the charity silent auction adds more shopping flavor. Speed Tricking continues, and the ever-so-popular Hospitality Receptions take the day away! You can get your boots and leathers made lovely by local bootblacks and contestants, and enjoy the IMsL Contestant Interviews as well.  Display your colors during the Opening Ceremony, roast the outgoing titleholders, enjoy a Uniform Party by the D.U.C.! And the contest structure for the bootblacks has been changed and updated, and it’s more exciting than ever--be there to cheer them on as they take the stage for the first time Friday night for Speeches and Pop Questions! 

SATURDAY continues with wonderful 90-minute workshops, the sexy Boots and Cigar Party, the IMsBB contestant interviews, and, the reason you’re all here, the internationally revered IMsL and IMsBB contest with another amazing opening number designed by Skeeter! The IMsL contestants will participate in an all out, hot and steamy contest as they answer pop questions, give speeches, strut their stuff in hot wear and entertain with their fantasies on stage. 

ILSb Central Plains Region

The International LeatherSIR/leatherboy producers announced that Wolftopstl and boy alahn are the new producers of the reorganized ILSb Central Plains region. The men will be co-producers of the regional contest which includes the states of Kansas and Missouri.

The 2012 Central Plains ILSb contest is hosted by Blue Max Cycle Club and will be staged at JJ's Clubhouse 3858 Market Street in St Louis on April 20 and 21. This year's competition will be for the titles of SIR and boy only as the Community Bootblack has been appointed on an honorary basis. The appointee will represent the Central Plains region at the finals in San Francisco and will be announced with the winning SIR/boy at the conclusion of the April 21 contest. 

More info at www.leathersir.com

 

Of Myth and Mortals

Check out this impressive slideshow from Philip Hitchcock's (Mr Midwest Leather 2012) recent exhibit at the Leather Archives and Museum.

After the jump.

Southwest Leather Conference Wrap Up - What a Weekend!

The Leatherati team blogged live from the Southwest Leather Conference in Phoenix, AZ over the weekend of January 20 - 22, 2012.

This was our first time attending the annual SWLC weekend but I can tell you for sure it won't be our last.  What a great event!  Friendly people, great energy, top-notch presenters, excellent food and multiple play parties throughout the weekend make this a must-do conference and it's a fantastic value as well.

You can check out Leatherati Live for all of the blow by blow action including some great posts and pics from Sir Dart's predicament bondage class!  (I'm just saying...).

There are also daily recaps and tons of videos:  Day 1 Recap - Day 2 Recap - Day 3 Recap - Videos

Enjoy!  And be sure to mark your calendar for SWLC in January 2013.

Mr Powerhouse 2012

by Leland Carina

This year's annual Mr. Powerhouse contest took place last night. The bar was truly hopping with hot Leatherfolk.

The judges for the contest were Troy Anicete Mr SF Leather 2003, Lance Holman Mr SF Leather 2010, Brandon Clarke Mr SF Leather 2009, and Darren Bondy Mr SF Leather 2011. All of these men hold Mr. SF Leather titles and have the double distiction of being past Mr. Powerhouse Leather title holders.