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The 30th anniversary of the International Mister Leather competition, or IML Triple-X as it was dubbed, was held in Chicago over the May bank holiday and we felt ourselves strangely drawn so hopped on a BA flight bound for the windy city with 2 overweight suitcases stuffed with outfits.

Taking over the whole of the impressive 30+ floors and 2,000+ rooms of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, IML is no small gathering. If fact this year an estimated 16,000 people made the trip and, as well as the IML contest itself, participated in events catering for almost every fetish on the face of the planet. There was Woofcamp2008 for those into puppy play (yes, they have tails, just don't ask where they're fixed to), the Gear Blast (sponsored by Recon) whose diverse dress code of "the gear you're in to" attracted everything from American footballers, motorbikers, wrestlers, latex lovers and much more. There were recovery meetings for the leather community members affected by drugs or alcohol (Americans are big on recovery meetings), inner journey meetings for those wishing to discover something new about themselves, specialist demonstrations on topics as diverse as bondage or wrestling and enough parties to keep even the most hardened reveller happy for days... parties for Boys and Sirs, Boots, Cigars, Rubber, Uniforms, BLUF, etc etc etc.

The IML contest itself is like Miss World on steroids... there is the leather (eveningwear) heat, the pecs (swimwear) and personality heat and the speech heat (world peace, charitable works etc), and everyone takes it soooo seriously. For many of the contestants, leather is not just an outfit for the weekend, it is a lifestyle, and many of the speeches included buzz words such as brotherhood, community, equality and legacy. And it can be difficult not to get swept along with them such is the passion and emotion that some of the speakers exude. In the light hearted 'personality' section we learnt such gems as the hanky codes for the Golden Girls and that you can't train a Tigger. We were amazed by Mr Leather Ottawa, the first wheelchair contestant, who has also competed in two Para Olympic games, went gaga for the cute French speaking father of 3, Mr Montreal, an openly gay man in the navy, and the whole room took to it's feet for Lee Butler, Mr San Diego Leather 2007, who was also a contestant 30 years ago at the first IML.

While the majority of the events took place in the hotel's Regency Ballroom in the evening, during the day most visitors had the time to indulge in a spot of retail therapy, and on that score the organisers of IML thoughtfully kitted out the extensive 200,000 square feet of conference facilities with every conceivable vendor imaginable, over 130 of them. If there is anything you ever considered buying as fetish-wear, for fun or for play then it was probably there and the stallholders were happy to let you try before you buy (especially those nice boys at Mr S!). From small hand-made metal chastity cages and cock rings, to canvas straight jackets and leather sleep sacks right up to large dungeon furniture such as bondage tables and cast iron four poster beds, it was all there and, with a weak dollar, it was all dangerously affordable. All the major porn companies were also represented and brought along their stars to meet the public, and many sports clubs and charitable organisations also had a stall.

After all the scores were tallied up, bronzed, butch, personal trainer Gary Iriza, Mr Palm Springs Leather, was named as International Mr Leather 2008, winning over a field of 51 contestants from 22 US states and six countries, and walked away with an extensive prize package including $5,000 in travel funds. Whilst he was (depending on your personal taste) the hottest guy on the stage, there was much muttering in teh audience about him not being the best candidate for the job, and in fact our very own Russ Woolmore, Mr Hoist 2008, was hotly tipped but sadly didn't place in the top three. On a more positive note, our favourite Frenchie Bob Firth-Tessier, the sailor from Montreal, was named first runner up and his ear to ear pearlie whites lit up the room.

There is no pressure to be, or do, anything as International Mr Leather. Some IMLs travel the world attending leather events, conferences and gatherings, spreading the message of brotherhood, family, unity and community, whilst others do nothing with the title and return to the virtual anonymity from whence they came. Which path Gary chooses only time will tell, but which ever it is I'm sure almost every one of the 16,000+ attendees of IML-XXX had a blast and are already planning next year's outfits... I know I am.

Photos below in order are:
Chicago ...
IML Opening Ceremony ... Pecs and Personality Heat ... Final ... Winners ...
Leather Market ...
Parties ... WoofCamp08 ... Gear ... Wrestling ... Black & Blue