Trans Wheelchair User Wins IML 2010

Quote from Stephen Lane: " ...nor does it help that woman are judges at IML, (imagine please, a leatherman at a lesbian bar judging a Ms. International Lesbian contest..what self-respecting lesbian would allow that)" Actually, that has been a reality for a quite a while. 2 of the Judges for the 2010 International Ms Leather Contest were men, and the Tally Masters were both men also! On top of that, it's never been an issue for the self-respecting lesbians, maybe they are more secure in their own sexuality?

The judges should take responsibility for the outcome of this contest and they will probably reap what they have sown; It was more like a circus attraction than a leather contest for Real Men. I'm new to the leather scene and inspired by some of the hunks and their macho personalities. I paid to attend this engagement with enthusiasm and was left confused and disappointed. I am no longer confused or disappointed, I will no longer have anything to do with this organization; I will certainly make sure next time I attend an event of this nature, I will know the details- I am not interested nor willing to pay to watch fake men parade in front of me, I want the Real Deal and will contribute to those recounters that offer it.

I just love how we are all Trans-phobic just because we want a man (with a cock and balls) to win International Mister Leather! Suddenly we are all horrible bigots for stating the obvious: 1.Tyler does not have a penis or balls and has never had them, so he's not a man...yet. 2.Tyler is not even an attractive Trans-man, I've seen a few and he isn't one of them, sorry. 3.Tyler doesn't have a hot body; the wide female ass not to mention the vagina don't scream Mr. IML. 4. Tyler didn't even bother to get some nice leathers for the competition; they were baggy and looked cheap. IML shouldn't be about letting the "fat chick" become the Prom Queen to show how progressive we all are, it should be about finding the Hottest Leatherman with the best personality... somebody you'd like to fuck, not have a benefit for. IML jumped the shark this year and unless a sudden influx of trans-men fill up the hotel, I think you'll see a much smaller crowd next year. RIP IML!!!

Tyler is not the first IML trans-man. There has been at least one openly trans finalist in the past 15 years. This past finalist was very open about his life story and gender reassignment during the judging, and also spoke about it from the stage. This man is a good personal friend, and I have seen his US Passport when we have been traveling. The US Government now considers him "Male." Like the climatic scene in the movie "Miracle on 34th Street", if the US Government (Sate Department) NOW considers this person to be "Male", then he is male!

I lifted the following directly off the IML registration form for contestants: "2. To compete at International Mr. Leather™, contestants must be male and 21 years of age or older as of the day that you register for IML in Chicago. In order to verify your eligibility to compete, a copy will be made of your government issued photo identification (driver’s license, state ID, or passport) during your Contestant Registration in Chicago." ------Is Tylor legally a male? Did he have legal government issued ID stating he is in fact "male" when he registered? What does IML consider "male"? can you have a pussy and be "male" in their eyes? if so, ill enter Betty White next year...she is popular, loved by all, the judges, if the same group as this year will surely vote for her...plus she has as little to do with a leathermen contest as a trannie....

yeah for Tylor!!! rah, rah, rah... we don't go to IML to hang with women or semi-trans (pussy intact). we go to be with men, leathermen, for camaraderie, for sex, for the intense masculine experience IML is, or once was...Tylor has spread his agenda over a community that doesn't like pussy...that didn't travel to IML to hang with lesbians or trans...so presumptuous thrn to think you have the right to be our poster-girl. Reality check: i contacted 3 lesbian events and one trans event held in the USA asking if i can enter their contest, if they have male judges...the answer? NO! 2 had more "fuck you for even asking's" in them to make me blush...so why must IML, the largest event for leattherMEN, include your sorry pussy in our event? For those of you comparing a trans win with a black man's win? He was a real man--it's more than dick, or "looking male", it's what comes with the meat, a lifetime of exploring masculinity, exploring men...not pussy. why is it bad to celebrate masculinity?

It will be simple for the owners of IML to please us all, and fix the damage allowing a trannie with a twat not only enter, but having such lax criteria for judging that would allow one to win a contest with "Mr" in the title. how? Give more awards, more sashes. not only will this draw in larger crowds and contestants, (and their friends and handlers), it will allow us that are so shallow as to think IML should have a winner that looks like, and in fact is a leatherMAN. Offer 7 awards: 1. Mr. Leatherman (the winner of this would be the Tom of Finland masculine, sexual hunk that is and should be the poster child of our community). 2. IML community leader award (goes to the aids activist, fund-raiser, person (male or female or other) that has advanced the leather community most in the past year. 3. Leather Lesbian, 4. Leather Trannie (if in fact there is more than one out there, 5. Leatherboy, 6. Bootblack-male, 7. Bootblack-female...IML include all while representing all!

errrr, duh. yes it is just a stupid contest that has nothing to do with the real world, nor do 95% of the MEN who go to IML even care or know there is a contest...but the problem for me and most all of my friends here in LA is what it represents having a twat as the figurehead of the leather communiuty. She doesnt represent us. She represents trannies. That isnt us. All types are welcome at IML or any event that is open to all, but they should respect those who built the community, no one has the right to come into a community that has obviously welcomed her, and make it all about HER...does she think SHE is what we aspire to be like, does she think she inspires us? does she have the sex appeal, the looks to pose on poster for events for the next year, to appear at those events and represent the leather community that built IML? or will she turn off those we want to join us? Trannies, lesbians and women: if you want a sash, get one from your own community, your peers, not mine.

Can I just say - GET A GRIP MARY! It's a frigging contest. It's an excuse to gather men from around the globe for one big weekend, a "leather family reunion" as IML calls it. Reading the comments here you would think someone had released anthrax or ebola upon the unsuspecting leather masses. If a contrivance such as a contest is going to bring the your leather life to a grinding halt it would seem to me that you've got some bigger issues to deal with than the annual and always controversial selection of an IML. Look at pictures of past IML's, they don't all conform to the Tom of Finland image. IML sets the rules for the contest and we, the judges, scored based on the rules which are available online to review. IML said Tyler was a contestant, and Tyler won fair and square. Move on. If you're not planning on coming back next year it's fine with me, cause that just means less competition for that hot piece of ass in the lobby next year. - From an IML 2010 Judge

Tyler was at a party two days before for 4 hours standing up. And nobody has argued that she wore a dildo in her jock strap and hid her obviously female ass in the chair. That's cheating. But that's not even the biggest problem most guys have with Tyler winning. IML has been losing the sexuality for years. It's been less and less about sex and leather and more about touchy-feely-weepy speeches. Tyler's speech wasn't about leather and it wasn't about the community, it was about "me me me me me." "Poor me... I had boobs and a vag.... I can't be a man... but I've a HIGH HOPES!!! Feel Sorry For me and gimme a sash!" And do you have any idea how stupid it sounds for an M to F trans woman to say "He's a hottie! Woof" at anyone?