Only moments before, emcee Lance announced that David “El Bandido” Mosqueda was second runner-up and that Steven Crespo was first runner-up.

The contest is a grueling effort for each of the men who compete. It begins with contestant registration and orientation on Wednesday afternoon, followed by Opening Ceremonies on Thursday night when contestants draw their numbers. Friday night is when scoring begins during Pecs and Personality. Half of the contestants were interviewed by the judges during the day on Friday and the second half were grilled throughout Saturday. They had Saturday night off, the big day was next.

The 46th International Leather Contest started maybe a couple minutes late, if even that. There were no frills or special entertainment; the 59 contestants were the show and it was all about them. The contest ended very close to the scheduled 9 PM.

All of the contestants were introduced on stage individually. The scoring from Interviews and Pecs and personality had already been done. From said scores the Top 20 Finalists would be announced. These 20 would compete in 90 Second Speech and Jock/Image categories. Many attendees already had their favorites and some were won over during the night - but their scores did not count, those by the nine panelists did.

IML 2023 Marcus Barela gave a warm and grateful step down speech and the crowd roared its approval.

During the night it was announced that Bill Stadt was retiring from his position as Executive Director of IML. A video presentation of some of Stadt's memorable moments was cheered by the audience.

The Leather Archives Capital Campaign was touted by Gary Wasdin and Billy Lane. There is more on that below.

The winners were announced, the crowd cheered and many raced out of the Skyline Ballroom to get on one of the first the buses back to the host Congress Plaza Hotel, press photographers clicked their camera buttons in quest of the perfect shot.

IML 2024 Winner
Jamal Herrera-O'Malley
San Francisco Eagle Leather PUP 2024

IML First Runner-up
Steven Crespo
Mr. Eagle Wilton Manors 2024

IML Second Runner-up
David “El Bandido” Mosqueda
Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2024

IML Top 20 Finalists

(Not necessarily in their order of placement)

8 - Tom Keller
Mr. Leather Europe 2024

9 - Spencer Adam
Mr. Powerhouse Leather 2018

15 - Georg Luschgy
Mister Leather Norway 2022

21 - Boy Beacon
Mr. Texas Leather, 2023

23 - Moshiel Newman Daphna
Mr. SoCal Leather 2023

24 - Jimmy Gale
Mr. Louisiana Leather 2024

26 - Matt Fuerst
Mr. Cleveland Leather 2023

27 - Thaddy Kewal Maravillas
Austin Person of Gear 2024

29 - Fire Daddy Ken
Mr. Mid Atlantic Leather 2024

32 - Bacilio Mendez
Mr. San Francisco Leather 2023

33 - Coach Jura
Sydney Mr. Leather 2023

34
Oscar Uvillus- Condor
Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2024

36 - Poptart
Mr. Atlanta Eagle 2023

38 - Larry Minutella
Eagle LA Mr. Leather 2024

42 - Norbert Gisinger-Daubenberger
Mister Fetish Gran Canaria 2023

47 - Vince Jay
Mr. Chicago Leather 2024

48 - JeFF Brewer
Mr. Leather Colorado 2023

Placing 21 - 59

Also competing, in no particular order, were: Mr. Barracks 2024 Mark Calkins, Mr. Leather Berlin 2023 Miroto Markov, R&J Leather Bear Pride 2022 Daddy Andy, Mr. Austin Eagle 2024 LTJ Reads, Mister Alamo City Leather 2022 Master Cat Artemis, Mr. GNI Leather 2023 David Smith, Mr. Ramrod 2024 Will Howard, Southwest Leather Cub 2023 Rod Owens, Mr. New England Leather Jack Keegan, Mister Evidence Leatherman 2023 Anthony, Mr. Connecticut Leather 2024 Jordan, International Leather & Boots Spain, Jesús Cuerobotas, Mr. Buckwood Leather 2023, Boot Pup Cobalt, Mr. RGV Leather 2024 Jesus Lopez, Mr. Route 66 Leather 2023 Michael Raven, Chicago Leather Ambassador 202 Daniel Mason "Lil' Daddy Bear," Mr. Phoenix Leather 2023 Austin Kent, Mr. Mayhem Leather 2023 Keron, Mr. Eagle NYC 2024 Eric Holland, Mr. Mayhem Leather Bear 2023 Lord Thunderknight, Mr. Iowa Leather 2024 XJ Miller, Mr. GayDays 2023 Tony Vega, Mr. Ohio Leather 2023 Sir James, Mephisto Leathers 2023 boy Cody, Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2024, Tyler Lansdell, Austin Person of Gear 2024 Kewal Maravilla, Mr. Michigan Leather 2024. AJ Michigan, Mr. Fire Island Leather 2023 Sir Charles, Mr. NJ Leather 2023 Dr. Michael Zito-Govert, Mr. Missouri Leather 2023 Brandon Rinati, Mister Leather France 2023 Nacho Geraige, Mr. Providence Eagle 2023 Jerry Ringuette, Leatherman of Color 2024 Voudou Onyx, Mr. Firedancer 2022 Kevin Hamby, Mr. Colombian Leather 2024 Mr. Gattoso, Italian Fetish Man of the Year 2023 Maxwell, Mr. Bolt Leather 2024 Aaron Piccirillo, Mr. Hidden Door 2023 Scott Hieger, and Mr. Classic Leather 2023 Master David.

Thank you Miguel Torres for your help compiling the list of IML contestants, their bios and photos. Due to your diligence our IML Contestants Preview had 100 percent of the men competing. See story at https://theleatherjournal.com/news/iml-2024-contestants-preview

The judging Panel for International Leather was headed by IML 2023 Marcus Barela, who wase joined by Gayle Rubin, G Yang, Graylin Thornton, Michael Tattersall, Per Helge Nyland, Pusckat Pumera Onyx, Richard Newberry, and Roberto Cuero. The tally masters were Omar Hekal and Cluff Reyes.

Open Shine gave approximately 15 bootblacks the opportunity to shine boots on the Leather Market levels. Open Shine was facilitated by Leslie Anderson and Daddy Shadi. There was no International Bootblack contest this year.

The IML Leather Market spanned three floors and had 50-plus vendors. Two of the larger merchants, LeatherWeks/Stompers Gloves/Stompers, and Rough Trade Gear/Oxballs had their own rooms on the first floor. According to several vendors, business was up from 2023. There was some rain during IML and that bodes well for vendors because more guests don't leave the hotel'They stay in go shopping.

The big Friday night parties in the Rendezvous Room of the Congress were Off Leash: The Pup and Handler Romp which met the needs of types of critters which was followed by a Rubber Gear Social hosted by MIR after the Pecs and Personality segment of the IML contest. Both events drew several hundred people

The Chicago Hellfire Club hosted private play parties at their clubhouse on several nights. The club' back patch was visible everywhere as the members are very active The Chicago Hellfire Club hosted its annual IML Cocktail Reception on Sunday afternoon.

There were four classes taught by Kink U on Saturday including Build Back the Leather BDSM/Kink Community Post Covid, Human Furniture, Lasting Impressions, and Long Distance Power Exchange.

ONYX founder Mufasa led a People of Color Caucus: Panel Discussion on Saturday afternoon. BLUF held their annual Social early Saturday night.

There was a huge IML Welcoming Party at Touche' on Wednesday night which Attracted IML contestants, early arrivals and plenty of locals. Some visited the Leather Archives & Museum which is only two blocks away from Touche."

Leather Archives Capital Campaign

Gary A. Wasdin's post: "Happy to share that we reached our goal to raise $30,000 over IML weekend to kick off the Capital Campaign for building renovations. A huge 'thank you' to everyone who contributed, and of course many thanks to our friends at the John Paul Palatinus Trust and Full Kit Gear Chicago who will match those donations with another $30,000! This will allow us to begin some of the preliminary planning as we work to ensure that LA&M is accessible and welcoming to everyone. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are off to a great start!"

The huge IML Victory Celebration at the Concord Music Hall on Sunday night after the IML contest was packed as was the International Mr. Leather weekend closing Black and Blue Ball in Wicker Park.

 

IML 2024 Gallery

Photos by John O'Brien, Ariq Wilson, Andrew Bertke, Bear Mike, Dave Rhodes, Tom Keller, Bob Johnson, Luis Bratt, Spencer Adam, Rick Boehle, James Holges, Mufasa, Douglas O'Keeffe, Rocco Cook, Miguel Torres and Facebook

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