Here is the IML Class of 2014 - Part III. Word has it that 53 men are competing this year. We started out with 40 of them, but since then we have received information from two more who will appear in the next section.

International Mr. Leather 2014 will be a great event, just as have preceded it. Plenty of vendors, the San Francisco and ONYX parties, eating almost anywhere in downtown Chicago, the roast of IML 2013 Andy Cross at the Leather Archives and Museum, Chicago Hellfire Club cocktail party, Bootblack contest and their big party, puppy mosh pits, who is hot in the Marriott Lobby and outside, numerous parties at Touché, muscled and hot Leathermen who will show us how comfortable in their own skin during Pecs and Personality, IML buses, the Top 20, Collaring and Covering ceremonies and plenty more will make this another memorable year.

The Mr. Bear San Diego 2014 contest was held on Saturday 29, 2014 at The Hole. Three contestants vied for the opportunity to represent the Bears San Diego this year: David Ferguson, Jeff Breeze, and Phil Leggitt. Contestants withstood a private interview with a panel of judges at 6 PM.

The four-judge panel consisted of Everardo Aguilar, Mr. San Diego Bear 2001; Sister Ghana Maria from the San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence or The Asylum of the Tortured Heart; Ben Hernandez, Mr. SoCal Bear 2013; and this author.

Emceed by the wonderful and entertaining Empress XXV Roxie Bleau, the contest also drew many Sisters and one fearless Guard from the Asylum of the Tortured Heart, who showered the venue with blessings, songs, sass, and naturally…glitter.

On working with the Sisters, contest producer and Bears San Diego Treasurer Jeff Rosenfeld said, “The Sisters have truly been our partners in our fundraising endeavors throughout this year. We could not accomplish what we do without them.”The contestants were introduced to the audience in Casual Wear (everyday clothes). After a break, the three men took turns on stage in Bear Wear (what makes them feel sexy).

It was announced on stage at the Hotel Whitcomb on Market Street on Saturday night, March 1 that Mr. San Francisco Leather 2014 is Scott "Big Red" Farrell. The first runner-up was Mr. San Francisco Eagle Leather Gage Fisher and the second runner-up was Mr. Daddy’s Barbershop Leather. Six men competed.

Heading the judging panel was Mr. San Francisco Leather 2013 who was the fifth Mr. San Francisco Leather titleholder to win the International Mr. Leather title. The other four were IML 1979 David Kloss representing the Brig, IML 1981 Marty Kiker representing the Brig, IML 1985 Patrick Tone representing Chaps and IML 1992 Lenny Broberg.

Joining Andy were Mr. LA Leather 2013 Justin Emerick, Mr. Bolt Leather 2013 Robert Brooks, Mr. Santa Clara County Leather 2012 Thib Guichard-Callin, Ms San Francisco Leather 2013 Val Langmuir and Judge Emeritus Garry "Marlena" McLain.

The emcees were Mr. San Francisco Leather 2013 Darren Bondy and International Mr. Leather 198 Mike Pereyra.

As Mr. Legion of Sin, Scott Farrell is a muscled redhead who is Mr. September on the 2014 Bare Chest Calendar. Big Red is a member of BaGG (Bondage a Go Go) and is the secretary of the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance. He will compete at International Mr. Leather in Chicago in May.

The Mr. San Diego Eagle 2014 contest will be bigger than ever.  “It will be a 4-day event for the entire Leather community,” says Robb Rodriguez the current Mr. San Diego Eagle.  The event runs from February 20 to 23.

The main contest activities will be moved from the San Diego Eagle bar to the nearby Sunset Temple auditorium. “We’re moving the venue of the contest to the Sunset Temple because we’re expecting a large crowd to attend. Already we’ve heard from people from as far away as Phoenix that they’re going to attend. And one of our judges is from Minnesota while another is from Georgia.”

The seven judges are an all-star group of titleholders. The head judge will be International Mr. Leather Andy Cross. Other judges are: American Leatherman Aaron Duke, Mr. International Deaf Leather boy Richard, Mr. San Diego Leather2013/Mr. San Diego Eagle 2012 Eli Correa, Ms San Diego Leather 2013  Colt Everyday, Eagle LA Mr. Leather 2013 Bill Robertroy and Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2013 Ryan Brown.

The Mr. SoCal Leather 2014 contest will be held at the Eagle LA on Friday, February 14, starting at 9 PM.

Mr. SoCal Leather 2012 Shad Cruz will lead the judging panel and will be assisted by recently-elected Christopher Street West co-chair Steve Ganzell, Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2012 Leo Iriarte, American Leatherman 2013 Aaron Duke, and Mr. LA Leather Bear 2010 Howie Ramirez.

The alternate judge is Tommy Trafelet, and the tally master will be Tom Wang.

Mr. SoCal Leather producer Ashram West revived the legacy of Mr. SoCal Leather, a title that was claimed for the first time in 15 years on Saturday, February 4, 2012 by Shad Cruz, Mr. SoCal Leather 2012-13. The winner of the title gets a one-year term as Mr. SoCal Leather, a title patch to attach to his vest, and a medallion.