Mr. San Diego Leather Contest @ The Hole

From: Tom Chavez "Mr. San Diego Leather 1998"

Exciting news on the San Diego Leather front! We just had our first meeting for the "Mr. San Diego Leather" Contest. We had representatives from Wolf's, the Arena, the Hole and several of our leather clubs, including Rubber Knights, Bears and of course Gay Leathermen Only, along with the producers of the Mr. San Diego Leather contest, Eat Leather!

(The entire production was later moved from Eat Leather to the newly-formed San Diego leather Leadership Coalition).

We want other organizations to be involved in future plans and decision-making, such as Waterboys, RHSD, Great Outdoors and Club X - If we've missed any, tell us! We also want to involve every current and past leather-related titleholder.

I have talked to Tony Mills (International Mister Leather 1998) - He will be our emcee,and is really excited to come out! We also have affirmative responses to attend from places as far away as Puerto Rico, Chicago, Florida, Long Beach and Washington D.C. - even Queer Scout will be here! That's just a start!

Contestants Wanted for Mr. San Diego Leather 1999

The new Mr. SD Leather will be chosen on February 20, 1999. Whoever wins will receive generous gifts and prizes from the community, including all travel funds to the International Mr. Leather contest in Chicago. It's a good idea to start thinking about stepping forward and becoming a leader and role-model in our community. You will have the support of many leaders that will welcome you! Contact MrSDLeather99@yahoo.com for further information.

After Contest Official Party @ Arena, 7-11pm Crowded and cruisy - Come meet the sexy men who competed for the title of Mr. San Diego Leather!

Arrested II - VIP party @ Club Montage, 9PM A repeat of last year's super-popular "Arrested" party - arrive in full leather, dance and sweat until you have to strip it down!

Victory Brunch in Formal Leather @ Fiddler's Green Restaurant, 12 noon A pleasant way to wind down the Leather Pride festivities with friends. Formal Leather and Fetishwear are encouraged. Come enjoy Sunday brunch in a fine setting with like-minded friends! Great menu, smoking patio available, no host bar and specials. Cocktails at 11:30am Brunch begins at Noon. First come first serve! $15/person. Contact Ricky at 619-291-5520 for tickets.

For a full description of the dress-code, see http://www.millennianet.com/sdllc/Discussions/FormalLeather.htm l

Press Party & Beer Bust/Barbecue @ The Hole, 3PM-10PM Final event for Leather Pride 1999. Coincides with regular, super- popular Sunday afternoon at the Hole.

San Diego Leather Pride, Reviewed

It's time to slow down, and catch our breath after some big excitement - The first annual Leather Pride festivities last week were San Diego's announcement to the world that we can throw some serious parties and raise some big bucks for charity. This whole shebang really only started happening about three months ago, and it came together magnificently, thanks to a hard-working new team of men, women and businesses representing every part of the leather/kink/fetish community. At the end, our community handed over a check for $8,000.61 to Special Delivery, and we're just getting started!

The San Diego Leather Leadership Coalition (SDLLC) is an umbrella organization for our local leaders, who gathered their accumulated experience and energy to make Leather Pride something that we can all look forward to, for years to come! Tom Chavez (the outgoing Mr. SD Leather), Randy Vidal (Mr. SD Eagle) and St. Clair Adams headed a team of men and women of all sexual preferences that got the job done, fast. The old politics and vendettas are gone, and Leather Pride is the result. We can be proud of ourselves as a true community again.

The biggest event of the week was the Mr. San Diego Leather contest at the Hole. We had representatives from many other cities there, and a fine array of former Mr. and Ms. San Diego Leather titleholders to remind us of our history and traditions. Tony Mills (the current International Mr. Leather) was our MC, and he showed us that his stage-presence, wit and personality matched his gorgeous face and stunning body.

The judges worked diligently to choose the contestant that they felt would work the hardest to bring change and hard work to our community, and they chose Mike Hargiss, who will represent our city at the upcoming International Mister Leather contest in Chicago. His husband John will have to start taking up some new hobbies to take up his extra time, because I suspect Mike will win the big title for San Diego!

There were some VERY satisfied out-of-towners in the crowd, plus plenty of local faces that rarely get out any more. The good word is spreading, and we're going to need a much bigger auditorium for next year's contest.

Mr. and Ms. San Diego Leather title holders, past and present (from left:)

Suzy Koenigs ('99), Daniel Greene ('95), Mark O'Keefe ('97), Bobbi D'Courage ('96), Jeff Barrett ('92), Annie Romano ('98) and Tom Chavez ('98).

Tony Mills (International Mr. Leather '98), Mike Hargiss (Mr. San Diego Leather '99) and Tom Chavez (Mr. San Diego Leather '98) at the Hole.