IML2009
International Mr. Leather 2009 in Chicago, Memorial Day Weekend: 54 most deserving contestants. Unfortuantely only one can take home the sash. This year’s winner is:
Jeffrey Payne, Mr. Texas Leather 2009.
First Runner up: Brendan McGovern, Mt. Leather Ottawa 2009
Second Runner up: Alan Penrod, Mr. Atlanta Eagle 2009.
Winner of International Mr. Bootblack 2009 is McG of the Black Eagle Toronto.
You can see all the photos of the event at the International Mr. Leather website.
This was my second year attending the IML as a contestant and it was more fun than ever. I saw old friends, fellow contestants from last year and made new friends this year. The contestants and organizers were very sociable and friendly. Everyone had a great time.
The event was held at the Chicago Hilton. First year for the staff at the hotel having the contest. Everyone seemed to enjoy having us there. Two of the female employees told me “One of the friendliest conventions we ever had with the little perks to it, like great bodies and cute butts!”
Here I am with my good friend Mike Lunter, Mr. Missouri Leather 2009, backstage waiting to be introduced to the crowd for the first time.
In the center is another good friend of mine, Rick Burgess, Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2009.
Second from the right, here I am waiting for the “Pecs & Personality” segment of the contest.
My question from the emcee was: “Since you have created a collection of 155 vintage lunchboxes, imagine you are going on a picnic. Which lunchbox would you select and why? And what would you put in it?”
The crowd had a huge laugh at the lunchboxes. My response:
“The Dukes of Hazzard, because I had a fantasy of Bo and Luke tying me up on thier farm. And since I have a sweet tooth, I’d would include in the box whipped cream, chocolate syrup, cherries… oh, wait, I can’t cause I don’t have one… and strawberry syrup.”
Here I am listening to a pep talk given at the ballroom by the “handlers.”
Here are Mike Lunter and me being introduced on Sunday night to the audience.
I owe a big thank you to Jerry Miller of St. Louis who helped to create new leather and alter the old in time for the IML event. Also thank you to Philip Dietch for all the help and hard work in preparing me for the IML experience.
While we were at IML we took time to visit the Leather Archives and Museum. It’s a great place to visit and full of amazing history. Also went out to eat at some fabulous restaurants with friends. If you can imagine 10,000 men in full leather running around in Chicago (above and beyond the usual leather crowd living there) you can easily imagine how many times we were stopped by passerbys asking what was going on. Someone even remarked, seeing a crowd of leather men and women, “Look! It must be a Harley convention!”
A great time was had by all. If you have not yet been to an IML contest, you need to do so next year. The event is fun and the crowds are full of great, friendly folks and lots of incredible eye-candy! It’s held in Chicago every Memorial Weekend.
