I recently competed at International Mr. Leather in Chicago. It was a life changing experience and something that when I talk about will most likely sound cliched to those who haven’t experienced something like it. But that isn’t what this post is about. I want to talk on a bit of a broader scale. I want to talk about the Leather Community. I want to talk about my leather brothers. I want to talk about International Mr. Leather 2010 Tyler McCormick who after this weekend I consider to be among my chosen family.
There has been alot of drama, and shit going on since Tyler won. Tyler is the first trans man to win. He is also the first person who is primarily confined to a wheel chair to win. And he is also the first contestant to my knowledge from New Mexico…. I have heard so many different opinions regarding his win. And I will convey to you an encounter I had on my way to dinner the day after the contest.
A man stopped me seeing my contestant medal and asked me how I felt about Tyler winning. More specifically he asked me how I felt about a transgendered person winning. I replied that I thought it was fabulous and couldn’t be happier with Tyler winning. He then proceeded to launch into some ramblings about it being International Mr. Leather MAN…. (There is no such man in the title for the record). And how he felt that there shouldn’t even be women on the judging panel. Restraining myself I politely told him that Tyler is in fact a man, and that we obviously wouldn’t be able to agree at this point. My urge was to launch him over the railing we were standing by…
Reactions have ranged from tears of joy to accusations that he manipulated the judges by not going out of his way to disclose. Or that when he walked out on stage that it was an obvious ploy to shock and amaze people. Having spent the weekend with Tyler and the rest of our class, I would like to point out the many other times he walked. He has limited mobility, he wasn’t trying to give the crowd some tent revival miracle.
And the issue of him being trans. Some of the judges were not aware of this until part way through the competition. Tyler never hid who he was. He also didn’t introduce himself as Tyler the Trans Dude. His gender identity isn’t an issue for him. Exchange trans for jewish, HIV positive, recovering alchoholic or Lady Gaga fan and the disclosure seems strange and somewhat out of place. “Hi I am Allen and I am HIV Positive it is nice to meet you!” Why should gender identity be any different?
I am disgusted that people would be anything but encouraging and amazed at the courage it takes to go through this contest, let alone go through it as someone who many people feel doesn’t belong. To stand on stage and explain how you were told you would never go shirtless in public. How can we look at someone who has shown such honour, courage and grace and do anything other then applaud them.
Those in the Leather community who have had incredibly phobic and negative things to say should reflect on what it means to be a man. And what it means to be a Leather man. Bravery is chief among the attributes we claim to value. And I for one couldn’t think of a braver more worthy recipient of the title. And to those with hate to spread, can answer to those who consider Tyler family. Because no one disrespects my family.
