Marcus Bareala may have been the last contestant at number 54, but he was first when his name was announced as the winner of the International Mr. Leather 2023, or IML 45, title on Sunday night, May 28 at the popular and convenient Auditorium on Sunday night, May 28. Marcus entered as Mr. Eagle LA Leather and was full of excitement and energy as he jumped around on stage. Before him were first runner-up Chris Gonzalez and second runner-up Matthew Moody. After a brief photo session on stage, the winning trio was whisked off

Smokeout in August

Here is a review of 2021's major events as they relate to the Leather/BDSM/Fetish/Club/Titleholder community. Much of the year was sad news, but we began to come back to life in the latter half of the year.

January 2021

On January 1, the producers of all Olympus Leather Contests announced that after the International class of 2021 is selected, Olympus Leather will be forbearing the Contest Circuit portion of the organization’s activities for the foreseeable future.

Dave Rhodes' Christmas, Solstice, New Year, Holidays and Hanukkah List

After a year hiatus, here is Dave Rhodes' Christmas, Solstice, New Year, Holidays and Hanukkah List. I was not going to post it this year because I'm not sure what to say after all that has gone with the pandemic the last two years. Then again, we need to love and laugh again - without anyone getting hurt.

Alan Stroik - Appreciation for two decades of complete service to Avatar and almost that long with LA Leather Pride. You really deserve a lot of respect.

Billy Lane - Congratulations on your Leather Leadership Award from the NGLBTQ Task Force at the Creating Change Conference.

Gary Wasdin - All the best with the Leather Archives & Museum. Glad to see the huge sum made in the recent fund drive.

The 15 Association - A great Anniversary and Bootcamp as we come back to life.

Peter Fiske - A lot of love to match all the love you give.

Bruce-Michael Gelbert - Thank you for your loyal reporting over the years.

Jack Thompson - All the love from the big bear hug I gave you at CLAW before you won at IML and a matching bear hug for your hubby.

Bill from San Diego - I love you. More times together.

George Herbert - Appreciation for your support.

Tom of Finland Foundation - Congratulations on your successful to live events with this year's Erotic Arts Festival at Second Home.

Rodney Burger - Love you and thank you for your reporting in Baltimore.

Tyler Fong - A visit to LA and bring Reece with you.

Richard Conley - More successful Mates Leather Weekend and Snowbound events.

ONYX - To all of the ONYX chapters and their members a big hug for just being out there. Your visibility has made a huge difference.

Jeffrey Payne - Good fortune.

Mistress Cyan - Success in finding a new and more equitable location - Hopefully near the community.

Vonn Tramel - Spoons - lots of spoons - and in all sizes.

Ariq Wilson - You just radiate fun and confident energy and I love you for it.

Alex Wisniowski - A visit to LA. Do know that Zelda loves you.

SF Eagle - Congratulations on having your bar saved in perpetuity by the City of San Francisco.

Graylin Thornton - Looks like 2021 was your year with the TLJ cover and being named to the Tom of Finland Foundation board. You've more than paid your dues.

CLAW - Success in Cleveland and the hopes CLAW LA, renamed The Leather Getaway, takes root.

Ben Johnson - Joining Scarlett and I at Brent's. We've been virtually planning this for four years now.

Gerald Creole - You are a mountain of a man - in so many ways - and so many of us love you for it.

Michael Lara - You so deserved the award the Payasos gave you at Eagle LA this month. Keep the faith. You are a Mensch.

Guy Baldwin - Thank you for your good deed.

Christopher Edwards - Love and appreciation for what you have given over the years.

Gabriel Green - You are a hard worker. Thank you for all the effort. You are making a difference.

IMsL and IMsBB - Return to the days when you can have live contests again.

Sandy "Mama" Reinhardt - Love you more.

Rick Boehle - More years of Friday night dinners and the best with CMEN.

Our Patreon and GoFundMe benefactors - Thank you because you are a huge reason why we are still here.

Charlie Matula and Hunter - Thanks for being there in a time of great need. The word Mensch applies to each of you.

Viola Johnson - All the best with the Leather Library and thank you for all the effort and energy you've invested in it.

Joey Byrne - You've been a great titleholder in Long Beach - keep it up.

Patrick Grady - Big hugs.

Rick Conley - Look forward to the time when I can attend Mates Leather Weekend.

Ghee Phua - Congratulations on becoming Mr. SF Eagle Leather 2022.

Justin B. Terry-Smith - I've been following you since your early years in Leather and am please with what you've done.

Jon Wright - Enjoy the Tom of Finland print of the One Way bar.

Payasos LA - You guys are the kind of thing that makes LA such a great place to live.

Colton Stenke - It's twue, it's Twue, it's TWUE - Lily von Schtupp.

FiFi LaFille - Miss you. Keep on keeping on.

Mauro, Ruben, Rex, Bear Mike and Bear Marvin, Magnum Masters and the Albuquerque Leather Daddys - XXX.

Jim Neuman - The best health, a decent coach for USC which they just got, and appreciation for all you do for so many.

Todd Nelson - A visit to Hollywood.

Robert Green - You been amazing with the LA Leather Coalition - keep it up. And a star as LA's main photographer.

David Boyer - Keep it up at Touche. You have a magic hand with bars

Brandon Bullet - Keep up the good work with your online interviews.

Ralph Bruneau - Thank you for the two years you served as Avatar president.

Who ever is responsible for ending CODE Night in Chicago - A box of coal.

Smokeout Las Vegas - A-plus for moving Smokeout back to the first weekend of April. So looking forward to the new hotel.

Scarlet Sin - See Ben Johnson - the Brent's thing.

Elliot Musgrove - Lots of love.

Brian Goss - Thank you for the invite to your desert party. You are an amazing chef. Love meeting your partner and friend who seems to love baseball as much as I do.

Leather weekend events - To all of the events, whether they be club runs, contests and or Leather conventions who have been on hiatus until the pandemic subsides, the strength, will and means to make comebacks.

Tracy and Wolf - A million bear hugs the next time we meet. You two have been so supportive and do know I thank and love you for it. Some people are just good people.

Kyle, Dan and the members of Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert - You guys never fail, no matter what.

Marc "Pony" Owens - A visit to LA.

Matthew Mullins and Dan Lovell - Love, bear hugs, and the strength to keep on keeping on.

Every one at Leather64TEN - A huge hug and a visit at IML.

Bob Miller - I think you did a good thing bringing CLAW to LA and hope there is enough there for you to keep it going.

Adam Monda - Your growth as a Leatherman has been amazing. Keep it up.

Cypher - Have not heard from yo in a while and hope to do so soon. Thank you for your support.

Matthew Jensen and Joel - Love both of you.

Race Bannon - Mazel tov on all of the honors you received this year - well deserved.

Avatar Club Los Angeles, The 15 Association and Chicago Hellfire Club - Much brotherhood to all of my fellow members.

Dr. Larry and William - All the best in your new home in the Palm Springs area.

And to all, Merry Christmas, Yule, Solstice and/or Happy Hanukkah.

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