(Leather Life column published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #110, August 13, 1999)
PHOTO: IMsL 1999 First Runner-up Crickett Watkins; IMsL 1999 Pam Meyer; IMsL 1999 Second Runner-up Peggy aka “O”.
This year’s International Ms. Leather (IMsL) Contest was held July 16-18 in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was there, and had a great time. Being a veteran of many International Mr. Leather (IML) contests but never having attended IMsL before, I was struck by both the similarities and the differences between the two contest weekends. I even prepared a handy chart (accompanying this column) to compare the two.
The first IMsL contest was held in San Francisco in 1987, as were the next seven yearly contests. Now it travels to a different city each year; next year’s contest will be held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
IMsL has become a full-weekend event for the entire leather/SM/fetish community—all sexes, genders and orientations are welcome and were in evidence at this year’s contest. In the words of producer (and IMsL 1993) Amy Marie Meek, the contest “chooses a woman to represent the international leather/SM/fetish community to the public, and provides a venue that allows ALL participating leatherwomen to present their positive vision of a positive leather image.”
New this year was the International Ms. Bootblack title competition, held concurrently with IMsL. This is the first year for this title which, along with the new International Mr. Bootblack title, replaces the old International Bootblack title which was instituted in 1993. For the past six years the International Bootblack competition has been part of the IML weekend and contestants have included male, female and transgendered bootblacks. A joint statement issued by Meek and IML producer Chuck Renslow says, “We believe that, by creating two titles, we will encourage more women to learn the art of bootblacking and the womens’ community to support to support women bootblacks.”
The weekend started Friday night with a Basket Auction—each contestant brought a themed “goodie basket” filled with items representing the leather/SM community in her geographical region. Bidding was fast, furious and often contentious, but when it was finished the Basket Auction raised over $10,000 for the new IMsL’s travel fund.
I spent some time Saturday at the Vendor Fair, where many of the vendors were new to me. Saturday’s schedule also included many workshops and seminars and a Laura Antoniu Book Reading. A special “Telling Our Stories” reception was a celebration of women telling their personal stories about claiming their place in the leather world; written and electronically recorded histories were accepted by the Leather Archives and Museum. (You can still submit your own story to history@imsl.org.)
Saturday night’s contest featured fourteen contestants, including Ms. Minnesota Leather 1999 Mario. Speeches were spoken and fantasies were performed, the judges judged, and outgoing IMsL Megan DeJarlais turned her sash over to new IMsL Pam Meyer from San Francisco. First IMsL Runner-up was Crickett Watkins of Chula Vista, California (who also won the contest’s equivalent of Ms. Congeniality); second IMsL Runner-up was Peggy aka “O” of New York City. The first-ever International Ms. Bootblack title went to Leslie Anderson, of Bosque Farms, New Mexico.
It’s not too early to start thinking about getting a hotel room in Toronto for next year’s IMsL. For more coverage of this year’s contest and information about next year’s, visit IMsL’s website at www.IMsL.org.
International Mr./Ms. Fantasy Contest Weekend
This issue’s Out & About Calendar is filled with activities that are part of this year’s International Mr./Ms. Fantasy Contest Weekend (August 20-22). Take a look, then call Wolf Productions to order Weekend Packages ($45) or admission to individual Fantasy Weekend events. Host hotel is Quality Inn Downtown Minneapolis, 41 N. 10th St. (formerly the Regency Plaza); call for reservation information.
Mpls. Eagle Calendar Model Search
The Minneapolis Eagle is creating a calendar called “Bodies for the Millennium: The Men and Womyn of the Minneapolis Eagle.” A different individual will be featured each month, and profits from the calendar will be donated to two charities chosen by the people featured in the calendar. Two contests will be held to select 10 men (Saturday, August 14 at 9 PM and Sunday, August 22 at 8 PM) and one contest will be held to select two women (Wednesday, August 18 at 9 PM).
Each contestant will receive a $10 bar tab just for entering the contest; if a contestant is selected by the judges for the calendar, the calendar model will receive a cash prize of $50. Contestants will be judged in leather/uniform/rubber wear, knowledge of the leather community, and a question-and-answer category. Contest applications are available at The Minneapolis Eagle, or you can register at their website (www.mplseagle.com).
Upcoming Leather Events (for Calendar section)
Saturday, August 14
Atons Leather/Levi Night
Cocktails at 7 PM at The Saloon (patio), dinner at 7:45 PM at Café DiNapoli (816 Hennepin Ave.)
Presented by the Atons, open to all. For information and reservations call the Atons Hotline.
Saturday, August 14
Minneapolis Eagle Calendar Contest Part 1
9 PM, Minneapolis Eagle
Five men will be selected to appear in “Bodies for the Millennium: The Men and Womyn of the Minneapolis Eagle.” Come cheer for your favorite contestant. (See entry details in this issue’s “Leather Life” column.)
Sunday, August 15
IndustrialZone
9 PM, The Town House, St. Paul
Hosted by guest bartender and Mr. Minnesota Drummer 1999 Gary O’Neill. This will be an ongoing event, every Sunday night at 9 PM.
Wednesday, August 18
Minneapolis Eagle Calendar Contest Part 2
9 PM, Minneapolis Eagle
Two women will be selected to appear in “Bodies for the Millennium: The Men and Womyn of the Minneapolis Eagle.” Come cheer for your favorite contestant. (See entry details in this issue’s “Leather Life” column.)
Friday, August 20
International Fantasy Weekend Welcome Party
6 PM, Quality Inn Downtown (41 N. 10th St., Mpls.)
Friday, August 20
International Fantasy Weekend Party Bus Bar Cruise
7 PM, Leaves from The Saloon
Visit The Brass Rail, Over The Rainbow, Trikkx, The Town House, and The Minneapolis Eagle. Returns to The Saloon about 11 PM.
Friday, August 20
International Fantasy Weekend Reception/Dance Party
10 PM, The Saloon
Meet the contestants and judges. Vocal entertainment by Erin Schwab. Door prizes.
Saturday, August 21
International Fantasy Weekend Vendor Fair and Workshops
Noon to 5 PM, Quality Inn Downtown (41 N. 10th St., Mpls.)
Saturday, August 21
International Mr./Ms. Fantasy Contest
9 PM (Doors open at 8:30 PM), Guthrie Lab Theater (700 N. 1st St., Mpls.)
Contestants will be judged in fantasy wear, question-and-answer, fantasy presentation and the ever-popular Mystery category. Other entertainment will include Ava Monet as Marilyn Monroe.
Sunday, August 22
International Fantasy Weekend Beach Party
2-7 PM, Minneapolis Riverfront Beach
Featuring volleyball, a cookout, and tap beer—all presented in the clean, wholesome, family-friendly atmosphere of the Minneapolis River Flats.
Sunday, August 22
International Fantasy Weekend “End-Up” Party
9 PM, The Town House, St. Paul
Sunday, August 22
Minneapolis Eagle Calendar Contest Part 3
8 PM, Minneapolis Eagle
Five men will be selected to appear in “Bodies for the Millennium: The Men and Womyn of the Minneapolis Eagle.” Come cheer for your favorite contestant. (See entry details in this issue’s “Leather Life” column.)
Wednesday, August 25
TIES Munch
7:30 PM, Legends Café, 825 E. Hennepin Ave.
Ongoing monthly social gathering of around 150 kinky people of all descriptions—het, bi, trans, and an increasing number of lesbians and gay men.
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