Mr. San Francisco Leather 2013 Andy Cross was named International Mr. Leather 2013 (IML) by IML founder and executive producer Chuck Renslow on Sunday night, May 25 in front of about 1,500 cheering spectators at the Harris Theater in Chicago, IL which had stadium-style seating, meaning that those in the back did not have an obstructed view. Only moments before, Renslow, with the assistance of emcee Lenny Broberg, announced Mr. Santa Clara Leather 2012 Thib Guicerd-Callin as first runner-up and Mr. Leatherman Toronto 2013 Robert Miller as second runner-up.
Not long before that, Bootdog Johnson named the International Mr. Bootblack 2013 as Sammy of Portland, OR. The runner-up was Mike from Minneapolis, MN. Fuzzybuns from Palm Springs, CA was presented the Brotherhood Award.
The last time a man from San Francisco held the International Mr. Leather title was when emcee Lenny Broberg did in 1992. Broberg moved the Friday night IML Opening Ceremonies, Saturday night Physique Pre-judging or Pecs and Personality and Sunday's contest at a brisk pace. The contest segments started on time each night and ended before the planned time each night.
On Sunday, the show began with a curtain rising with all 51 contestants standing on three levels. The Top 20 Finalists were quickly named by past IML titleholders in attendance. The opportunity taken to recognize each of the past International Mr. Leather titleholders resonated positively with the audience. Like the rest of the show, this was quickly done. As each name was announced, the finalists' fans cheered. The last man named to be in the Top 20 was contestant number 14, Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2013 Justin Emerick. California had seven contestants with two of them ending up on the podium. Texas was next with five contestants.
The Top 20 Finalists gave 90-second speeches and an opportunity to strut their stuff in front of the judges. This was followed by an impressive parade of club colors.
The judges were International Mr. Leather 2012 Woody Woodruff, Pup Nitro Hankinson, Hardy Haberman, Uwe Langer from Germany, Murray Lavigne from Canada, Rik Newton-Treadway, Lolita Wolf, Brent Seeley and Patrick Mulcahey.
While tally masters George Brown and Danny Tamez added up the scores, new Rock and Roll sensationalist Beverly McClellan wowed the crowd with several songs, some with a guitar as her musical instrument and others with a concert grand piano. Possibly her biggest attraction was her rendition of Bobby McGee.
The Friday night Opening Ceremonies and the Saturday night Pecs and Personality were at the Vic, site of International Mr. Leather 1988 and 1989.
The two floors of the IML Leather Market were swamped. It was very narrow quarters. A few vendors reported brisk sales, but others were not ready to say much. The IML and hotel staff were amazingly helpful One vendor, Twin Cities Leather of Minneapolis, MN celebrated their first anniversary as a merchant in the IML Leather Market and had champagne to show it. See photo.
This is Part I of a two-part story - we'll be back with more on parties hosted by clubs, cities and vendors. There the big IML dance parties including the Black and Blue Ball at the House of Blues.
The Top 20 Finalists, in order of placement were:
International Mr. Leather 2013 Andy Cross
First runner-up Thib Guicerd-Callin
Second runner-up Robert Miller
4. Tyrone Rontanger, German Mr. Leather 2013
5. Justin Emerick, Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2013
6. Matthew Hengle, Mr. Midwest Leather 2012
7. Kj Nichols, Mr. Connecticut Leather 2013
8. Johann Jooste, Mr. South Africa Leather 2013
9. Nick Zuko, Mr. Chicago Leather 2013
10. Francisco Villatoro, Mr. Hoist London 2013
11. Bill Naquin, Mr. Louisiana Leather 2013
12. Ryan Brown, Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2013
13. Nigel Williams, Mr. DC Eagle 2013
14. Bas Papa, Mr. Woof Sydney 2013
15. Bobby Thurman, Mr. Texas Leather 2013
16. David Regan, Mr. Eagle London 2013
17. Steven Parker, Mr. THird Coast Leather 2012
18; Bob Rose, Mr. Maryland Leather 2013
19. Todd Sittler, Mr. Prime Choice Leather 2012
20. Mark Turnage, Mr. Iowa Leather 2013
The following are the remaining 31 men who competed at International Mr. Leather 2013 and are listed in the order that they appeared on stage, not their order of placement.
Scott Smith, Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2013
Dayton Egloff, Mr. Leather Colorado 2012
Ben Riethemuller, Laird Leatherman 2012
Esteban Baz, Mr. Sister Leather 2013
Kyle Truss, Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2013
Nate Benner, Oklahoma Mr. Leather 2013
Nikolas Keith, Mr. Long Beach Leather 2012
Charlie Hinojosa, Mr. Texas Eagle 2013
Alexandru Sonoc, Mr. Leatherman Klingston 2012
Kane Kobleur, Mr. SAn Diego Eagle Leather 2011
Colby Adam, Washington State Mr. Leather 2012
Steven Teets, Mr. Michigan Leather 2013
Paul Maffei, Mr. New Jersey Leather 2013
Karl "alpha dog ralph" Couture, Mr. Leather Ottawa 2013
Todd Maynard, Mr. Bluegrass Leather 2012
Adam Damewood, Mr. Southeast Conference of Clubs Leather 2013
Matthew Morse, Mr. Boston Leather 2013
Jason Puls, Mr. Harbor Room 2013
John Metzner, Mr. Missouri Leather 2013
Arsenio Amadis, Mr. Eagle NYC 2013
Isaac Emerson, Mr. Tri State Leather 2012
Craig Clark, Mr. CODE 2013
Hector Vallejo, Mr. Firedancer 2012
Michaerl Parra, Mr. Phoenix Leather 2013
Robert Brooks, Mr. Bolt Leather 2012
Jeremy Smith. Mr. 501 Eagle 2013
Jason Williams, Mr. Alameda County Leather 2012
Sebastian Goulet, M. Cuir Montreal 2013
Bryce Caine, Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2013
Mark Thibodeau, Mr. eXile 2013
John Ehelebe, Mr. Alaska Leather 2013.
Leatherfolk began checking into the host Marriott Chicago Miracle Mile in droves on Wednesday. Thunderstorms across the Midwest delayed flights. One flight from London, UK had to land in Detroit and sit four hours. No one was allowed to leave the plane because it was an international flight.
IML contest coordinator Jon Krongaard told The Leather Journal that the entire top brass of the Marriott attended the contest on Sunday night. IML 2014 will return to the Marriott Chicago Miracle Mile the weekend of May 23-26. We asked the hotel registration desk if we could reserve our room now, but that will have to wait until approximately February - stay tuned.
The Leather Journal had close to 100 Leatherfolk download its mobile App at its IML Leather Market. For iPhone, go to your app store and input tlj online, and for Android, input the leather journal.
The Leather Journal was founded in May, 1987. The Leather community was hungry for news magazine that covered clubs, organizations and events. TLJ has successfully met that need for 34 years. We have adapted to change more than once and when the Internet came about we were there by adding www.TheLeatherJournal.com
