Robert Miller, is Mr. Leatherman Toronto 2012, Youkali, is the new Ms Leather Toronto and Peter Rex is the new Mr. Rubber Toronto. The competitions were held on Saturday, August 11, at the Phoenix Concert Theatre.
First runner-up for the MLT 2012 title went to Mr. Cedar's Leather Mike Dawson and second runner-up was awarded to Mr. Steamworks David Knott. Robert Miller, who was sponsored by the Black Eagle Toronto, was also awarded the Mr. Leatherman Toronto Brotherhood Award. The Ms Leather Toronto runner-up was Dana aka Black Orchid. The Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. (HOTF) announced the appointment of Peter Rex as its new Mr. Rubber Toronto 2013.
The judging panel for Mr. Leatherman Toronto included Enza Silano of Northbound Leather, Peter Rex, Bootblack Toronto 2011 Jake English, Mr. Leatherman Toronto 2011 Ryan Lemesurier, head judge, Seattle Leather Grand Dad 2012 Jeff Henness, International Mr. Leather 2004 Jason Hendrix and Mr. Boston Rubber 2001 Rich Nordin.
The Toronto Leather Pride judging panel for Ms Leather Toronto consisted of Miss Rubber World 2011 Archean, Bootblack Toronto 2002 black aka Ian Turner and Ms Black Eagle 2001 Penny Gyokeres, International Ms Olympus Leather 2011 Sir Kira and Ms Cedar's Leather 2011 Mel Koome, head judge International Ms Leather 2009 Lamalani Sirverts and International Ms Bootblack 2008 Q. HOTF members Jacques "buddy" Coetzer, served as TLP Head Tally Master, Dwayne Bryk served as MLT Tally Master and boy dana Prosser (Atlanta, GA) served as MsLT Tally Master.
The dynamic duo of Deb Pearce, local celebrity and the host of her own television program foQus with Deb Pearce and Brandon Matheson emceed the competition.
The Toronto Leather Pride Award was presented to noted Leatherman, Master Mike Zuhl of Pittsburgh, PA.
Spanning four days, the Toronto Leather Pride 2012 weekend started with a welcome reception at Northbound Leather on Thursday, August 9, and ended with the Late Night Cigar Party at the Toronto Black Eagle on Sunday, August 12.
The charity of choice for 2011 – 2012 was The 519 Church Street Community Centre.
The Leather Archives and Museum announced that during the International Mr. Leather weekend the Leather Archives raised $60,000 toward the 2012 operating budget. In addition to donations from visitors to the IML Leather Market, funds were raised at a silent auction, and a roast of the outgoing International Mr. Leather Eric Guttierez and International Mr. Bootblack Jim Deuder.
Leather Archives and Museum Executive director Rick Storer said, “International Mr. Leather is an important fundraising vehicle for the Museum, with a total budget of $220,000 about 25 percent of our support comes from this weekend. The success of IML 2012 combined with the ongoing support of our membership will enable new exhibits and additional focus on our digitization efforts.” In addition to fundraising events, approximately 350 people toured the Museum during the weekend.
The Leather Archives and Museum is located 6418 North Greenview Avenue in Chicago, IL.
Mr. Michigan Leather Woody Woodruff walked out of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago with the International Mr. Leather 2012 sash and medallion in his possession. He is the first man in history from Michigan to place in the top three at IML. First runner-up was Mr. NYC Eagle AC Demidont and second runner-up was Mr. DC Eagle Leather Kevin Jordan.
Nick Elliott from Portland, OR was chosen to be International Mr. Bootblack. First runner-up was Bootblack Mike and second runner-up was Boy Dave
The Jeffrey Payne Lifetime Achievement was presented to Dave Rhodes who is the publisher and editor of The Leather Journal, founder or Pantheon of Leather Community Service Awards and the International Mr. and Ms Olympus Leather contest.
More on IML can be found at www.imrl.com
Full coverage is in The Leather Journal, June Issue
Folsom Street Events announced charitable giving in the amount of $330,745 on December 15 in San Francisco, CA. With this, Folsom Street Events cleared the $4.6 Million Mark in its 28-year giving history.
Board president Jacob Richards said, “2011 was a solid year for Folsom Street Events and our charities. We are enormously grateful to our sponsors, beneficiaries, beverage partners, and the leather/fetish community for the ongoing support. This check represents an increase from our $326,161 in charitable giving for 2010. Particularly given the depressed economy, we feel that this check is a total success.”
According to executive director Demetri Moshoyannis, “Given that we had a less-than-stellar year with respect to the weather at both Up Your Alley and Folsom Street Fair, we relied much more heavily on the successes of our Magnitude and DEVIANTS parties. The size of our check proves the potency and spirit of the Leather/BDSM/Fetish community. The vast share of the check will support our 16 Major and Supporting Beneficiaries, including AIDS Emergency Fund, Castro Country Club, Central City Hospitality House, Frameline, Project Open Hand, and Transgender Law Center, among others. Given what has been happening locally with other community organizations that distribute funds from special events, we feel particularly proud of our efforts. Combined, we are supporting over 70 great charities in San Francisco and around the U.S.”
Folsom Street Events hosted a special evening to honor its beneficiaries, sponsors, and nonprofit partners with a check ceremony at The Armory, 1500 Mission Street, well known in the Leather/BBSM/Fetish community as the home of Kink.com. Special invited guests included Supervisor Jane Kim (District 6), Supervisor Scott Weiner (District 8), and many others.
Folsom Street Events is a 501(c)3 nonprofit agency that produces seven annual fetish events: The San Francisco Party at IML, Bay of Pigs, Up Your Alley®, SF Leather Week Formal Dinner, Magnitude®, Folsom Street Fair®, and DEVIANTS™. Its mission is to create volunteer-driven Leather events that provide the adult alternative lifestyle community with safe venues for self expression while raising funds to benefit charity. In 2011, an estimated 250,000-plus event attendees raised money for charitable donations.
The Tom of Finland Foundation held their Holiday Party at the Tom of Finland House in the Echo Park District of Los Angeles, CA on Saturday night, December 14. The crowd came early an stayed late, even with so many parties that for which LA is known. Santa made a visit, giving lots of Tom of Finland posters, booklets goodies to the many who sat on his lap.
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
