Close

July 9, 2010

IML 2010 and Getting Real About Contests

OK, you probably knew this post was coming. The person who won International Mr. Leather this year is a female-to-male transgender man who uses a wheelchair much of the time. With due respect to Tyler McCormick, the man who won, every report I got from those in attendance was that he did a superb job as a contestant. Congratulations on your win. There’s an interview with Tyler on Leatherati.com for those who might be interested.

The discussion within the inner sanctum of the kinky gay men’s scene has been steady and often heated about this outcome. I’ve chatted with many guys and a large number seem quite happy with the man who won. An equally large number appear to have serious reservations about the situation with some being downright pissed off. Some applauded the decision. Some derided the decision. Some don’t give a damn one way or the other. On balance, I honestly think most guys fall into the “don’t give a damn one way or the other” camp. This does not discount the importance of this event though. The outcome is in my opinion a tipping point.

A tipping point, as Malcolm Gladwell explains it in his book titled Tipping Point, is a moment in time when, quite suddenly, a trend shifts. The moment Tyler won his IML title this year I believe a tipping point occurred. I believe this is the moment in time when many folks started getting real about contests.

My contention for a long time has been that the contest scene and the mainstream sexual aspects of the scene have been steadily diverging. The contest circuit has become its own self-sustaining ecosystem that functions as a subset of, but not always necessarily representative of, the larger kinky gay men’s scene. Yes, I know this is heresy to some, but it’s how I see it. As a kinky gay man I can enjoy contests, mingle with the contest crowd, and I count many titleholders and contest organizers among my friends. However, I don’t consider the contest scene to be necessarily representative of my erotic identity or sexuality at all. For one thing, they’re still very “leather” focused and leather identity is not the cohesive glue that holds us together like it once might have been.

We should all remember that those of us who follow this kind of stuff carefully are a relatively small bunch. The movers and shakers amongst the kinky (myself included) are not necessarily representative of the majority of gay men in the scene. I know a lot of FTMs (and have played with some). I’ve been tightly involved with pansexual organizations and events. I have a wide cross section of men and women as friends within the scene. But I have to always keep in mind I am not the norm. The average kinky gay man doesn’t give a damn about scene politics, organizational structures, contests, titleholders, fundraisers to which they might not relate, and so on. They simply want to be the sexual rebels they want to be. For those men I think many will part ways more and more with the contest scene except perhaps insofar as it’s a place to connect and get laid. Again, that’s not a judgment, but what I consider reality.

My personal take on the whole thing is neutral for the most part. I don’t think contests are something bad. They aren’t. I now liken the contest circuit to the court system within the larger LGBT community. It has its own community, priorities, protocols, rituals, honors, awards and social constructs. It is a subset of the overall LGBT community, but does not necessarily “represent” that entire community in the sense that not all LGBT folks relate to the court system or its adherents. They might attend a court event or mix socially with court members and winners, but that doesn’t mean they relate to them personally whatsoever. That’s not a judgment, just an observation.

Perhaps I’m overstating the importance of this event. I’m not sure. Time will tell. Our scene is ultimately a sexual scene. The entire core around which our scene is focused is sexual. As such, we like what we like. Our genitals and the erotic components of our brains don’t lie and they tell us what they like. Most kinky gay men still want their icons, titleholders or otherwise, to be someone they can sexually relate to and most gay men will not relate to an FTM no matter how wonderful of a person they might be (and I’ve heard nothing but nice things about Tyler). Perhaps over time that will change, but right now I believe this to be the case. Maybe Tyler and others will change these erotic sensibilities, but men must remain true to what turns them on.

There’s no reason the contest aspects and mainstream aspects of our scene can’t coexist quite nicely. The reason so many gay men are pissed off about this year’s IML outcome is that they wrongly, in my opinion, buy into the notion that a titleholder is supposed to represent them. I’ve known many titleholders who are lovely people. They truly won their contests and many have done great things, but I have not for one minute felt that they all represented me personally. And that’s to be expected. How could any one person represent everyone. They can’t.

I’ve been sort of sitting on the sidelines watching all of this transpire and observed it mostly as a fascinating sociological happening within our scene. I know some are really worked up about this outcome, but I try to remain calm and thoughtful about it. I also know people typically have very short attention spans and this turmoil could all easily die down quite quickly, or not. Again, time will tell. I just find it all fascinating.

My only hope is that we all discuss this civilly and respect each other. Perhaps the dissension that’s occurring is part of the natural growing pains of any body of people that’s emerged from the closet and taken the next steps to organize and socialize on a broader and more public scale. Regardless, let’s be nice to each other. We don’t have to agree.

12 Comments on “IML 2010 and Getting Real About Contests

Drew Kramer
July 9, 2010 at 1:36 pm

Hearing the news of the outcome made me very happy.

Although I am aware of the the history and significance of contests, I’ve always viewed them with a jaundiced eye, and I won’t go into my reasoning here as I wouldn’t be stating any opinions that anyone would find novel. The selection of Tyler made me stand up and take notice because of the something that I do care a lot about: the exclusion of trans-men from gay male BDSM runs.

The first organization I was ever a part of was GMSMA in New York, which was trans-inclusive. In fact, when I went through the novices’ Special Interest Group program, there were two trans-men who were part of my “class.” I got to know them, came to like them, and, parenthetically, saw them naked.

When I learned that the sponsoring organization of a legendary run that given me the opportunity to have many wonderful and memorable experiences had contrived a tortured policy to exclude trans-men, I was more than taken aback. But at first, I told myself that as the sponsoring organization was conservative and rigidly hierarchical, change would come slowly. And of course, there were many other options for kinky trans-men. Et cetera, et cetera.

But more and more, I found myself experiencing what it must have felt like to be a member of an whites-only country club during the 1980s. In discussions around trans exclusion, sex and sexual attraction are usually elevated to something sacred and unassailable: “But I won’t be able to get a hard on if I know that one of them is somewhere nearby!” But I don’t think this is about sex any more than country clubs are about golf. Although it is perfectly acceptable–and inherent in the rights of association guaranteed us by the Constitution–to exclude specific people for whatever reason, when you treat a class of people this way, it’s called bigotry. And I don’t want to be part of that.

So, although I don’t care very much about leather contests or their outcomes, the results of the balloting at this years IML made me really happy because I suspect that there is a lot of overlap between those who do care a lot about leather contests and those who are on the other side of this issue that I do care about.

Race Bannon
July 9, 2010 at 1:48 pm

Drew, I’ve always considered you a very reasoned thinker. Thanks for your comment.

Kevin Morgan
July 9, 2010 at 2:09 pm

Race,

I think this is a possible tipping point, or at the very least a fork in the road, though I’m not entirely sure that this will, in fact be when people “get real” about contests.

In my experience, which I would call in the “near periphery” of leather contests (being good friends with a handful of contestants, attending quite a few, and being marginally involved in helping with a few specific ones (the A of year B, the C of year D, etc. as opposed to a long run of working with A over years B through J): all of the stated qualifications and judging points for contests were what in logical theory are called “necessary but not sufficient”. Involvement in the community, leadership, an understanding of the role of kink in the gay (and straight) worlds are all needed, but the reality is that they were like the question “What would you do for world peace?” asked of Miss America contestants as they emerge from the isolation booth, or the requisite undergraduate study in something suitably non-technical at a nice college or university. You can’t win without either, but if you’re a dog, you aren’t going to win anyway.

Wearing a leather jock/codpiece and a harness on stage with biker boots was nothing more than the Catalina bathing suit and high heels translated from mid-America straight fantasies into the world of gay leather. Both cases were a less-than-honest version of “show your tits” on Mardi Gras, where at least the connection between the beaded prize and what’s necessary to win it is clearly stated. I have said for more than fifteen years that I’ll take International Mr. Leather (and all the feeder contests, and all the other titles) seriously when a crippled 65-year old wins for what he’s done in a lifetime of advocacy for kink. While this isn’t an exact match, I think Tyler’s win shows that maybe IML is finally getting the clue that there’s more to recognize than beefy muscles and a reputation for hot sex.

Karen Taylor
July 9, 2010 at 6:01 pm

This was worth the wait. I’m particularly taken with your connection of the leather title system (and its feeder contests) with the court systems. I think it’s an apt comparison – both provide the community with fun events to attend, reconnect with friends and hook up with new people; while the people completely immersed in the systems have a set of protocols and expectations they attempt to meet which may or may not be something the rest of us care much about.

A look at the “tipping point” and its impact is also useful. As someone who was involved on the fringes of the leatherdyke community I saw its “tipping point” in economics: organizers for leatherwomen’s events started to create budgets and expect to meet their expenses.

This was huge: we had to shift from the lesbian feminist ideal of a collective working for the greater good, to the recognition that volunteer hours do not pay rental fees and electric bills. And while it has reduced the number of attendees to many events, it has also meant that the International Ms. Leather titleholders no longer go bankrupt during their title years. Bankrupt! For years, the titleholders were expected to show up at as many events as possible – and while there was nearly always someone to pick them up at an airport, there was usually no money for the plane ticket itself. Yet, to turn down an event was to risk community outrage for “putting money above the cause.”

While many leatherdykes I know miss the “good old days” when registration costs were reduced through “work exchange” scholarships, I also believe that communities can only grow stronger when they recognize that the world around them has an impact. The impact isn’t always positive, nor is it always negative: it’s reality. What’s real is that the “T” in LGBT is growing in visibility. What’s real is that the economic cost to put on a contest has an impact on the organizers and the businesses they use.

Like you, I am friends with many titleholders, and attend their events from time to time. This year was my first at IML, and I am heartily glad I attended. It would be great to say “yes, I was there for that tipping point.” But even if it just passes us by, IML is a hell of a good leather party, and I’m glad I have experienced it.

Race Bannon
July 9, 2010 at 6:25 pm

Karen, thanks for your comments. Thanks also for pointing out the economic issues event organizers and titleholders have to contend with. Many people don’t realize how tricky it is to pull off events with the various expenses or how costly it can be for a titleholder (or anyone traveling to do non-paid work in our midst).

Race Bannon
July 9, 2010 at 6:27 pm

Kevin, I don’t think there’s any doubt that the contests have moved significantly from an entirely “looks” based focus to being much more about other factors the contestants are judged on. Thanks so much for your comment.

William Schindler
July 9, 2010 at 7:04 pm

As both a titleholder (L.A. 1999) and leather-contest producer I want to point out that people with leather titles— at least those that appear in public wearing title vests or medallions—DO, indeed, represent less-visible leather folk. Whether you, Race, or other leatheratti consider yourselves represented by titleholders, they present a face of the leather/kink community to the general public that might otherwise never knowingly encounter a self-identified leather person. When titleholders take their roles as ambassadors for the community seriously by educating themselves well, they become valuable sources of information and good will that can encourage curious outsiders to take one step closer to discovering their own kinky potentials or at least to embracing more fully the amazing diversity in our communities.

Terry Glenn Phipps
July 10, 2010 at 8:48 am

Fifteen years ago I turned down an invitation to attend Inferno that you and others kindly sponsored me to attend. At the time I felt that I simply could not patronize any event that excluded people based on their biological or actual gender. My gut told me then (as it does now) that kink really ought to be about sex, pain, blood, and electricity. I don’t want a man who is afraid to look at a vagina sticking electrified needles through my scrotum.

Your post finely parses the question of what the role of a title like IML really ought to mean. Certainly I agree with you that there is a significant divergence between our need to knit together an outlaw culture and the “court” of the contest circuit. The belief that it is possible to legislate the locomotive of sexual desire is silly when politicians do it, and it is even crazier when we give it a whirl ourselves.

However, I remain convinced that that the linkage between outlaw culture and the figure of IML ought not be ignored. It seems to me that our people (kinky people as opposed to any perceived public that some of us feel must be politically educated, molly-coddled, or taught tolerance) need to see that power sex, pain sex, or just plain old BDSM orientation has everything to do with the exchange of highly charged energy between people, and almost nothing to do with gender. To this end, I believe that it is highly desirable to have an IML who demonstrates that “Mister” is a title that cedes a power construct to the bearer without implying the presence of any particular genetic marker.

When a badass “Mister” wins IML that isn’t a victory for political correctness. Rather, Tyler’s victory represents the triumph of outlaw culture, genuine kink, and heavy duty BDSM over the homogenized culture of assimilation and hetero-normative pacification. It just won’t happen that every IML will truly represent “me”. Therefore, when it happens that what my dick tells me I must have, and what my heart tells me is cool and right, actually turn out to be personified in a Mister like Tyler McCormick, I consider that cause for celebration.

If Tyler teaches even one young person stuck in bumfuck that the conjugation of badass and FTM is not only sexy, but potentially victorious, then his victory is a win even for those who would oppose him. Sure as hell, his is a victory for the outlaws amongst us.

Race Bannon
July 10, 2010 at 12:12 pm

Terry, how I miss our lively conversations when we both lived in the same city. As always, you’re eloquent and thoughtful. Thanks!

bgmaron
July 11, 2010 at 5:53 pm

After outcome the contest of IML 2010, I reacted greatly negatives about the winner of IML 2010 and I just started to preserve my brotherhoods in my own club that still catering men only.I decline to give the name of my specific organization to protect myself and my group. I am not prejudiced toward the transgenders in the general. It does not change my mind or my view at all. I think same thing with Chicago Hellfire Inferno event that don’t accept transgenders. I don’t think it will change Hellfire Inferno admission policy. I would be very shock if they will change the admission policy.
IML event is just for profit business . The contest is a contest. IML is a not -profit organization like I have. I don’t think it will be “ripple-effect” toward to many” men only” organizations. I stand firmly and protect my men and my “men only” club.

David Dean
August 2, 2010 at 6:02 am

Folks….as a person who had back row seats to something everyone who seems to think they’re two cents gives a $%$# I’ll put it like this….You can dissect, over-analyze, wave the leather flag, say its a triumph of the wills, a major step for all humankind bull@#@% but the simple fact is that a man won a title…plain and simple. If ya think the judges were trying to make a statement or move civil rights more to the left then you still believe in the easter bunny and santa.Judges don’t vote as a group…kinda like herding horny cats… They picked the person they thought best represented that particular class at IML on that day….thats it…end of story…end of debate…We didn’t pick the next leather Pope, President, Saint or Emperor…we picked a man for a day. If the rest of you intellectuals want to add a serious bent to a leather contest try spending the same amount of effort making or enhancing your community leather club or group…As I reminded my fellow classmates as they were nervously awaiting the Top 20…I said “folks….its just IML….its not gonna make or break your leather career nor diminish your accomplishments…go out there and have fun..”
Thats my advice to all of you who want to over analyze an event thats supposed to fun, kinky and sexy…leave it alone…give Tyler a chance and move on…..We have bigger issues at hand.

Race Bannon
August 2, 2010 at 8:52 pm

David, thanks for your thoughts. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to engage in analysis of an event that is held up by many as the crowning moment for 50+ leather contests that consume what some consider a disproportionate amount of our community’s resources and attentions. Contests, contestants and titleholders can’t on the one hand be asked to be taken seriously and then simultaneously discount any serious discussion about them. As for those engaging in such discussions, why would you think for a moment they aren’t also enhancing the community. Discussions such as these and the betterment of the community are not mutually exclusive.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.