WE’LL TAKE YOU WHERE OTHERS WON’T
TM
F O R T H E L E A T H E R A N D F E T I S H C O M M U N I T Y • J uly 2 0 1 1
International LeatherSir, Leatherboy & Community Bootblack Arizona sends two contestants By Edward Lee n July 28-31, two men will represent Arizona at the International LeatherSir, Leatherboy & Community Bootblack contest in San Francisco, and like the original Leather community this event focuses more on sex. “This event celebrates leather men in its true form,” says Keith Tomlinson who has been in the Leather community for 15 years in various parts of the United States. “International Leather Sir/boy and Southwest Leather Sir/boy celebrate leather sex and are not shy of showing it. This ‘players title’ talks about it, shows it and acts it. This event showcases this through all the categories of the contest. The speeches are about leather sex not ‘how I can save the world. The fantasy portion is to showcase its okay to be kinky and dirty and piggy in your own way. And the physique portion shows how comfortable you are as a person, you don’t have to be a gym rat, you don’t have to have six pack abs and be under 26. Other title events require titleholders to remove their title vest if they engage in any type of sexual play, we encourage them to keep it on, be proud, and play hard,” says Tomlinson. Tomlinson should know, as Southwest Leatherboy 2002 he has remained active in the leather com-
munity in Phoenix and is currently one of the producers of the largest Leather Events in the Southwest and Phoenix - Southwest Leather Pride Weekend. “You don’t get a paycheck for doing these events nor do you get your name up in lights, my passion, my hard on for leather sex, and love for a great leather community keeps me doing what I do.” Like Tomlinson, Bill Mitchell has been involved in the Leather community for some time, starting in New Orleans, then moving to Los Angeles, San Diego and now Phoenix. While in Phoenix he has won the titles of SW LeatherSir 2011 and AZ LeatherSir 2011. Mitchell hopes that by competing for the Sir title he will be able to show the International Leather community that the men of the southwest can play just as hard as any other region and “that the community here is strong, vibrant and very much alive and well.” He says that should he win the title, he wants to bring the focus of Leather back to the play aspect and connecting. “Fundraising is very important, don’t get me wrong, but in the frenzy of fundraising, we forget what brought to us leather in the first place, that spark that made you take that first step down the path. Mine was a hot leatherman in chaps and believe me it had me interested and fundraising had nothing to do with
We’ll Take You Where Others Won’t!
it. ILSB gives me permission to express myself sexually in a society that is filled with sexual hang ups. It is truly a unique and liberating experience,” Mitchell said. Besides lifetime experiences, the producers and each contestant have prepared for months culminating at ILSB competition, working on fantasies, speeches, boots, and leather gear, as well as hosting local events and supporting their leather brothers and sisters, says Mitchell. For boy robert, who will be competing for the coveted Leatherboy title, the road to leather began on the fringe. It was not until he moved to Phoenix three years ago that he became deeply involved. “Phoenix had a strong established leather presence that drew me to it,” he says. “I decided to run for Southwest Leatherboy to further establish myself in the community, and meet more people. I have found within any organization that if you do not have a title or some sort of position it is difficult to participate in events and fundraising where I can be involved with the planning and implementation of the event. I also thought it would be a fun thing to do, and it has. By winning the Regional contest I have the opportunity to compete at International.” Over two year’s preparation has gone into boy robert’s run at the title. “I attended as many events, fundraisers, and competitions as
2011 SW Leatherboy robert terrance (l) & 2011 SW LeatherSir Bill Mitchell
possible. This included last years International Leather Sir/boy contest where I could see the caliber of the contestants first hand. Reading leather books and talking to title holders was also very helpful. I knew what I was getting into before I ran for this title. My producers Master Don Hilton, Keith Tomlin-
son, as well as Sir Dan Frabrici, boy Steven Palaschak, and Arizona Men of Leather have been great help. Other preparation included a fantasy, which he says was fun to put together. Each year, the regions that compete at International LeatherSIR/Leatherboy are assigned a continued on page 21 >
www.desertknightnews.com | Issue #18 | July 2011 | 1