Press Release
March 31, 2017
International Olympus Leather Contest
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Vonn Tramel is pleased to announce the Seven Judge Panel that will select the next International Mr and Ms Olympus Leather over the course of Olympus Leather Weekend in San Diego California May 5-7, 2017.
Head Judge – Dr. Lawrence Burden – aka Dr. Larry
Dr. Larry has served on many judging panels including Los Angeles Leather, Mr. Hoist Leather in London, International Mr. Leather, and is also the permanent Head Judge for International Leather Sir/boy. This will mark his fifth year as Head Judge with the International Olympus Leather Contest.
International Mr Olympus Leather 2015-16 Fred Anderson
Fred Anderson is the current International Mr. Olympus Leather. He is also Great Plains Mr. Olympus Leather 2015 and Gulf Coast Community Bootblack 2008. He's been honored to have opportunities to teach at events, held positions of leadership in various leather organizations, bootblack for contests and be a part of many organizations such as Mr. Friendly who’s helping reduce the stigma of HIV.
International Ms Olympus Leather 2015-16 slave boo
Slave boo has been involved in the kink world, off and on, for almost 30 years. After introducing her husband of 17 years to the BDSM community, they have not looked back. Slave boo is Great Plains Olympus Leather 2015, and the current International Ms Olympus Leather. She was humbled by being announced as South Central Regional Leather Person of the Year 2015. Besides her charity work slave boo teaches Negotiations and Expectations, is a mentor and strives to be a Leather Woman her family, and her community can be proud of.
Founder and Producer Emeritus Olympus Leather Dave Rhodes
Dave Rhodes is the publisher and editor of The Leather Journal which was founded in 1987. The paper of record for the leather-bdsm-fetish community is the longest continuously running Leather publication in history. Dave has judged IML, International Ms Leather, International Mr. Drummer, International Mr. Fantasy, International Leather Sir and Leatherboy, Mr. International Rubber, American Brotherhood, International Puppy, International Master/slave and NLA: International. In total, over 450 contests.
Community Fundraiser Sandy “Mama” Reinhard
“Mama” is respected and revered for her ability to motivate her international Family with her philosophies that include “Ask yourself what can I do to make a difference, and then do it from the heart”. It is estimated that through individual fundraising efforts and volunteering, Mama's Family has raised over 5 million dollars both locally and internationally, since its beginning.
Historian and Dedicated Volunteer Caryl
Caryl has been involved in the San Diego Leather and BDSM communities since 1999 having been involved in a wide variety of groups and events and has been honored with awards including the Sentinel of Leather, Leather Woman of the Year, Community Choice, and Gio Micu Award. She is dedicated to helping people find validation, contacts and education for their kinks and supporting consensual sexual freedom.
Pantheon of Leather Woman Of The Year 2009 Mistress Cyan
Mistress Cyan was introduced to The Lifestyle in 1989, and has since become a well-respected Leader in The Los Angeles BDSM and Leather Communities. She served as Producer of International Olympus Leather from 2010-2015, was Producer of West Coast Olympus Leather in 2008, President of two of the largest FemDom groups in Los Angeles and served on The Board of Advisers for The Los Angeles Chapter of Club FEM. In June 2015, Mistress Cyan was diagnosed with tonsil cancer and spent most of the latter half of the year undergoing chemo and radiation therapy. It was during this time that she retired from Olympus Leather. After a long hard fight, she is now back on her feet and back working as hard as ever.
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Olympus Leather Weekend is sponsored by Bulldog Custom Leathers, The Leather Journal, The Leather Foundation, San Diego Leather Pride, Boy Pup Creations, The Kinkdom Detroit
A new catalog published by the LA&M, Leather Archives & Museum : 25 Years, celebrates a milestone anniversary for the community institution which is located in Chicago and serving the world.
As tradition has had it for many years, the introduction of judges for the International Mr. Leather 2017 contest was done during Mid Atlantic Leather Weekend in Washington, DC. Jon Krongaard of the IML Executive
Committee made the announcement and added several important pieces of information.
From 15-20 February 2017, the eighth edition of Leather and Fetish Pride Belgium will take place at Darklands in Antwerp.
The 2017 edition marks a milestone in the event’s history. Doubling it’s space to over 5,000 square meters, Leather and Fetish Pride Belgium becomes the biggest gay fetish production in Europe.
Current hotel bookings and ticket sales indicate visitor numbers of between 5,000 and 7,500 for the weekend.
Darklands main events will be Mr. Leather Belgium, Mr. Puppy Europe election, Mr. Superhero Fetish, Mr. Sportswear, X-Awards show, Lars Deike Exposition, More Pixx (Fetish photography contest), Dress Code dinners, screenings and various live acts.
In the first ever overseas Chat, Inside Leather History, a Fireside Chat was a hit in Amsterdam during Amsterdam Leather Pride. Chat host and co-producer Douglas O’Keeffe enjoyed the privilege of interviewing Martijn Bakker, owner of Rob Amsterdam, and former owner of Drummer Magazine and The Argos Leather bar. Held at Amsterdam’s Club Church the Chat was co-produced by LeatherHistory.eu, and was the first Fireside Chat to be broadcast live on the internet.
“The Chat was amazing” enthused O’Keeffe “I was so honored to be able to include European Leather history in the Chat series!” Pieter Claeys of Leatherhistory.eu organized the Chat on Saturday afternoon October 29th during Leather Pride Amsterdam. Martijn Bakker, a long time Dutch Leatherman was candid in his interview. When asked to depict the differences between the North American and European Leather scenes Bakker depicted a different social construct. In Europe the Leather scene isn’t as stratified as in North America Bakker explained. Over the years Bakker saw the growth of gay liberation in Holland, the expansion of civil rights like gay marriage, and the devastation caused when HIV/AIDS decimated the community. When HIV/AIDS struck the Dutch Leather community Rob Amsterdam (Amsterdam’s premier Leather, fetish store) saw a dramatic drop in the sale of Muir caps. “The community was solely focused on survival” Bakker explained.
The Dutch audience was receptive and appreciative, “but when I called for audience questions following the formal interview they fell flat” O’Keeffe said with a chuckle! Dutch culture isn’t as loquacious as North American audiences! The Amsterdam Chat is the first in what O’Keeffe hopes will be future Chats in cooperation with other European Leather groups. Already Manchester Leathermen is talking about a Chat in the UK next year!
O’Keeffe co-produces the Fireside Chat series with Christina Court and Mistress Joanne Gaddy, with technical direction from Vonn Tramel. In Amsterdam O’Keeffe was assisted by Pieter Claeys of LeatherHistory.eu, and Mr. Leather Europe 2009, Arnaud Housenard, Mr Leather Europe 2014, and Michael Roks, manager of the Eagle Amsterdam, all of whom were instrumental not only in organizing this historical Fireside Chat but also in affording critical technological capabilities.
By Lady Katarina
Berlin, Germany is no stranger to a body positive, sexual revolution, expression and forum for public nudity.
I was pleasantly surprised at the difference between Folsom Europe and Folsom San Francisco; and while my experience of Folsom Europe was but a glimpse of what Folsom had to offer it was wonderful welcoming and interconnecting experience. It was a personal experience of camaraderie and exchange vs. a contrast of isolation of a sea of Grindr and Scruff of amateurs playing BDSM roulette.
What I saw was gear, lots of gear and outfits, and less ill-fitted harnesses. Titleholders and attendees talked and connected in a forum that was different than an outdoor kink and sex fest and was one in which was a showcase and runway for the craft, outfits, and a tradition of European hospitality. Maybe it was due to the numerous play parties and bar crawls that presented themselves during the week, but it was an event that made one feel welcomed and not chilled out on a hot day but relaxed in comfort. I particularly liked the many picnic tables that were available to sit down and enjoy ones food, beer, drinks, and hearty conversation.
Time seemed to fly, and I know for me eight hours flew by, but time does that in Berlin. Throw in with a twist of conclave Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and freedom of men and women simply be free without pretenses, it made for a cocktail of sweet proportions that one would most definitely remember the next day.
The title conference proved to be a lively event that started off with a champagne meet and greet followed by a conference with three topics that addressed Titleholder responsibilities working model, being inclusive to women in your clubs (Mrs. Sidney 2016), and Chem Sex (Mr Latex France 2016).
The “Classic meets Fetish,” concert on Thursday proved to be a wonderful experience with Leather people, kinksters, puppies, titleholder, and Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The concert was an amazing auditory and visual delight.
Ash Hodge, a flute player, flags orange, and this was his first Folsom said, “Kink and Music is part of who I am every day, and I love the idea of combining my loves together.”
Tuba Jack, conductor and piano player, said “I appreciate the intimacy and creation of art and creativity in all aspects of his life. When you can combine art and kink together and let it inform each other, the things that are going to affect your heart one way, or your senses, or sensory perceptions, will be true for kink, for sex, for whatever; it's going to be true for your art as well. When you an combine the two what you say artistically makes the most sense and speaks to people.
The International Leather Sir, Leatherboy and Community Bootblack weekend was held in a new hotel in Dallas, TX over Labor Day Weekend where Sir Ivan won the Sir title, boy jake presented the boy medallion and boy Patrick take the Bootblack sash in front of approximately 450 Leatherfolk and Kinksters.
The four-day weekend started at the Downtown Doubletree by Hilton on Thursday, September 1 with a VIP reception, the Pantheon of Leather 2016 Awards in the Skyline Ballroom with Christopher Edwards serving as emcee, introduction of contestants with emcee Wayne Davis, meet and greet and contestant demos, followed by a roast of the 2015 ILSb-ICBB titleholders hosted Bamm Bamm.
Friday and Saturday saw the vendor market open with several classes and demos and a FETCH! Puppy Mosh.
The International Puppy 2017 Contest celebrated its Fifth Anniversary with Pup Rex Sheppard finishing tops among 11 contestants at R-Bar in St. Louis, MO on Saturday night, July 16 in front of about 200 cheering spectators. The runner-up was Pup Rok.
Main events were scheduled to be at JJ's Clubhouse, but had to be moved due to an electric outage from a severe storm that hit St. Louis earlier in the week that knocked out power to over 100,000 people. JJ's Clubhouses was among the last to have power restored. Power was restored so that activities on Sunday afternoon could resume there.
The contestants were Pup Turbo, Ryan "Pup Zero" Evans, Florida Puppy 2016 - Alpha Cruz, Dave Rex Shephard, Lupe Alvarez, Pup Razors, Pup Scout, Xavier "Pup Snuggles" Thrace, Chip "Pup Rok" Ware, Alan Rodriguez and Jay "Pup Atlas" Rush.
The judging panel included International Puppy 2016 Pup Incus who was the head judge, International Leatherboy 2015 Tim Hotchkin, American Leatherboy 2013 Tank Teachworth, American Leatherboy 2015 Eli "Boypup Max" Marquez, International Trainer and Puppy 2015 Pup Kona, The Leather Journal publisher and editor Dave Rhodes and International Leather Sir 2015 Sir Tug. Mark Bozif was the tally master.
The contestants were interviewed at Attitudes on Saturday afternoon. The on stage categories included a speech, fantasy and formal personal image. In the latter category contestants answered light questions drawn up by the judges - pick and envelope please by emcee Karma T. Cassidy.
Pup Rex Sheppard is from Pflugerville, TX and is the founder and a member of the Austin Pets and Handlers. He is also a member of the Austin Gears, Discipline Corps, North Star Kennel Club and an associate member of the Chicago Hellfire Club. Pup Rex Shepard has been a puppy for 15 years and active in the puppy community for six years. Pup Rok hails from Houston, TX.
The Holiday Inn Express Central West End on Lindell was the host hotel and was near several great restaurants and attractions. The Holiday Inn has hosted several other LGBT community events and the staff was very accommodating.
Events on Thursday included puppy movie day featuring Secret Life of Pets, Blue Ocean sushi dinner, kickoff party and mosh pit opening. While there were guests from all over the United States and Canada, the largest groups seemed to be for Texas and Florida.
Friday had a class in the afternoon including Domestic Violence versus BDSM by pat Machate, Pup Awareness by Tank Teachworth, and Trainer and Puppy Couples by Pup Incus, a pub crawl, meet and greet and a titleholder's cocktail party followed by a mosh pit. Saturday classes included Leather and Gear Care by Meghan and Seth, Headspace and Event Drop by Daddy C. John, and Community Perspective by Pup Tripp; a puppy obstacle course, judges' dinner the contest and mosh pit. Sunday concluded with a victory cookout at Linder's Pub.
It was noted from the stage that Square Peg Toys was the exclusive corporate sponsor of the winner's travel fund and the amount donated was huge.
International Puppy executive producer Joe Mastrapasqua was impressed with the number of contests, the quality of contest, the growth over the first five years and with how well his team handled the venue situation at the last moment. His fellow owners are Flip Gray, Bruce Taylor, Tripp Hutchings and Papa Woof Roth. Many people noted how well the International Puppy Contest staff handled all of the sudden changes.
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
