IML 2025

See you soon, Chicago!

Off to my first judging commitment post IML stepdown. See you at Chicago Fe**sh Weekend!

Be sure to meet your new Internationals if you can!

I can officially announce: I’ll be a judge for Chicago Fe**sh Weekend, the weekend of July 10-12! See you there!

COMMUNITY SUPPORT!

In case you haven’t heard, Clair from Cockeye Kink was recently in an accident and needs our help and support! Every little bit helps!!

www.gofundme.com

Here we are, 20 days later.

If I’m honest, it feels like it’s been longer. The rapid shift from a consistently busy schedule always thinking ahead to the next event happening in a week or two, to trying to return to a life without constant travel and events has been an odd event to experience.

Throughout my year as the current IML, I often said that although I was always at least a little bit tired, I had no complaints. I had a year unlike any other, and had the privilege of an experience so incredibly blessed, privileged, and unique. And, once all is said and done… I was looking forward to passing on the mantle to the next, and catch up on some rest.

None of that has changed. I will say, though, it’s incredible how much you can adapt and get used to most anything if you experience it long enough and with enough regularity. And if the last three weeks have shown me anything, about myself at least, it’s that anything outside of that routine becomes unfamiliar and can be uncomfortable.

I’ve been able to catch up on rest, get back into a bit of reading (Son of a Witch for those curious), and reconnect with some hobbies. Not to mention working a full five day work week. And yet… this now feels unfamiliar. Relearning to just breathe without a “next thing and next thing and next thing” feels like learning how to tread water again. Plus after three weeks you’d think I’d be caught up on rest, recharged my social battery, and gotten past the cumulative event drop that a year as IML has produced. Turns out not so much, but I’m getting there.

So what do I have going on now?

Well… first and foremost, I have two new title successors (“title kids” doesn’t feel right in this case, for me). I get to be witness to Honey and Atlas kicking ass this year as IML and IMBB. I’m not mincing words when I say that they both earned the f**k out of their respective wins during IMLBB weekend, and I hope everyone gives them all of the love, respect, and support that I had last year.

Next… I may have stepped down, but I’m not done. I can’t announce them YET but I do have a handful of events and appearances I’ll be going to in the coming months! I’m excited for what’s to come!

Beyond that… reconnecting with and sorting out my life here in Montreal. There’s a wonderful and vibrant community here that I’ve only had opportunity to have passing glances at, and I can’t wait to connect with folks here more over the summer.

Lastly… I’m still filled with gratitude beyond measure. Approaching my step down I didn’t know where I would find myself mentally and emotionally. I’ve held a handful of titles in the past, and each step down has come with it varying degrees and types of emotional and mental baggage and you don’t know what that looks like until you’re there.

Stepping down as IML… all I feel is gratitude, accomplishment, and joy. There are some events I wish I could have or would have attended, and some things I wish might have panned out differently. But I have no regrets. I don’t allow myself to soak in my own accomplishments often… but I’m permitting myself that now, at least a little bit. I left my footprint on the tapestry of our Leather community, and I think I did that in a positive way. And I’m damned proud of myself.

Love,

Your friendly Neighbourhood Bootblack
International Mr Leather 2025
Rene

Congratulations to Honey Davenport IML 2026 & Atlas Rose IMLBB 2026.

To be filed under “I’m so, so tired”…

“How many IML contestants compete wearing ball gowns or couture designer costumes?”

Setting aside that much of what makes “couture” technically is what makes something “champagne” in that the style and place of origin does most of the heavy lifting in the actual definition. But the way couture is generally used, and how I suspect you’re using it here, refers to high end, custom clothing and attire.

Which, going by that definition… a LOT of contestants get high quality, custom designed attire made. I did, many in this year’s class did. And last year’s. And the year before that. We could probably go back a WAYS.

Or maybe you’re using “couture” as synonymous for “feminine”. Okay cool, so… I stepped down in a corset and custom panel skirt. Jamal competed in a corset for part of his run. Or we could take it back to 2015 when Pup Tugger walked the stage in knee-high heeled boots. The IML stage has been open to more varied gender expression for over ten years now.

Ball gowns? I didn’t see any on stage. If you’re referring to Honey’s attire that had turned into the flared backdrop? That was a jacket with an element of theatricality to it. Which makes sense seeing as it was for a stage, arguably entertainment portion of the event.

So let’s discuss drag. Just, in general. I suspect it might be a while since you’ve been to a drag show, or at least one not heavily involving Drag Race or Drag Brunch. But drag, as a performance and as a subculture, involves touching on the entire spectrum of gender presentation, not just the feminine. I’ve seen drag performances from high glam feminine to stone butch, and everything in between (and neither).

Branching off into leather for a second… I suspect you’re conflating “leather” with “masculine”. And if that’s the case I assure you, I’ve seen some damned amazing leather femmes and wouldn’t bat an eye at seeing them at an Eagle. Leather, as it is now, is significantly less monolithic than many seem to purport that it is, especially when it comes to expression of self, identity, and yeah even gender.

So let’s talk similarities. I’ve already addressed that both drag and leather as subcultures are not restricted to one narrow expression of gender norms. But beyond that… both can be entirely surface level expression, limited to putting on attire the same way you would a costume… to expression of self coming from core facets of who you are. I suspect that neither one of us would deny that many Leathermen view their attachment to leather garb, whatever it looks like for them (BLUF, bar wear, etc) as being a core part of who they are regarding gender expression, sexual expression, community connection. The fact of the matter is, the same is true for many drag performers. For many, it’s connected to who they are as a core facet of their identity, and the performance and embracing thereof.

Leather and drag are, in many ways, two sides of the same coin, embracing gender, subverting cultural norms, and embracing a q***r as f**k rebellion against those trying to uplift heteronormative regulation on expression. In many ways, both leather and drag and punk as f**k in the right hands.

And, aside from that… I was the head judge at IML this year. I saw every single contestant up close and personal, in far more ways than anyone else in attendance during IMLBB weekend aside from the other judges on that panel. From the speech, to the interview, to how they interacted with their fellow contestants, Honey is absolutely a leatherman who is qualified to hold the position of IML for this next year. And having their win tarnished by all of this petty bu****it when there are real world issues that we SHOULD be focusing on instead of a titleholder not fitting what mold we “think” they should is a genuine, real shame.

If my own win had been shadowed by all of this infighting over insignificant tripe I have no doubt it would have f**ked me the hell up.

So how about we shift focus from someone who doesn’t fit our narrow mold into what an IML “should” be, and onto taking care of ourselves so we can continue to have IMLs moving forward in the first place.

“What was with the crown?”

When I was introduced on Sunday alongside the other judges, I made the decision to wear my crown that I’ve had for the past 11 years, ever since my time as Emperor of the Imperial Court of Edmonton and All of Northern Alberta.

When I was introduce, I walked up, removed the crown from my head, knelt, and presented it to the audience.

So… here’s where I was coming from.

First, I meant it as a symbolic gesture that it wasn’t about me. My entire year as IML, it wasn’t about me. It was about the community. My hope was to be able to uplift others and shine a spotlight on the community in places I felt needed it, and that I could help. So, in part, I wanted to showcase that I wanted to share the crown with the community at large.

Second, I wanted to showcase a literal passing of the crown, a handing over of the mantle. My time as IML was absolutely incredible, unforgettable, and it filled my heart. And in that moment, I was ready to call it good and pass it on to whoever would be stepping up next. It’s their turn.

Many of the subcultures found within our greater LGBTQIA+ community places significance behind various elements of dress, items denoting regalia and rank. Between Leather and the Imperial Court, much of my own experiences have given me respect for what those iconographies can mean to someone. So I wanted to showcase some things that were important to me in that moment, in the most respectful and direct way I could think of at the time.

Not everyone “got it”. And that’s cool. I’m happy to elaborate and I know not everyone will catch the references.

But it was a personal symbol that was significant to me, and I’m glad I was able to act on it in a way that felt appropriate and respectful. 💙

Casual reminder that transphobic s**t on my page gets deleted, and gets you immediately blocked and forgotten about. Stay mad at it.