The Mr. Leather competition is an annual tradition in the leather sectors of gay communities across the world. Contestants compete to receive the title of Mr. Leather (and in some cities, a Ms. Leather is also chosen) to represent the leather community for that year. The winning contestants feed into the International Mr. Leather (IML) competition, held in Chicago every year.
In recent memory, the Calgary Eagle has continued this tradition in the City of Calgary. This is quite different from Edmonton, where the independent leather group Northern Chaps has put on their equivalent event; no doubt hopes were that Calgary would reach a similar arrangement. Unfortunately this has not happened as of yet, and in the meantime even Northern Chaps has lost their momentum with no forthcoming plans for a Mr. and Ms. Edmonton Leather 2009. It appears that conservative Alberta may have difficulty sustaining a cohesive and active Leather community.
But this year, the Eagle is not the only one on board to organize Calgary’s event. Stéphane Donaldson of Priape Montreal is no stranger to the fetish community, holding the title of Mr. Rubber Montreal 2008. He claims partial credit for the newly initiated Mr. Calgary Rubber competition, and now he hopes that Priape’s involvement will help to cultivate further interest in the Mr. Calgary Leather competition as well.
“[The chosen candidate] will win prizes from Priape, Nasty Pig, and InSeam Clothing. And we’re trying to raise some money for the winner to be able to go to IML,” he told GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine. Perhaps to inspire a wider selection of competitors to join, Priape Calgary promises a prize value of up to $1500.
Rewards aside, the winner also has the more serious matter of the title that they receive. Donaldson ensures potential competitors that the expectations for the winner are not set in stone.
“It all depends on what he wants to do with the title. It’s up to him, and we’ll try to support him in what he does and all the events he wants to do during the year. The only thing that is asked of him is to be a judge in the next year’s competition.” Of course, one might hope the title winner would put their position to good use to raise awareness and rally the Calgary leather community.
The specifics of the event have been left in the capable hands of Priape Calgary, who intend to follow a similar format to previous years. The public gets to meet the competitors at a special “Meet the Meat” party at 10:30pm on Friday, September 26th, in conjunction with Boot Black David’s “Shine for Beswick” fundraiser.
The main event will occur the next evening (Saturday, September 27th), following private interviews with the contestants. The event occurs in three parts: the first is where competitors do an on-stage presentation to introduce themselves, then they must answer a question on the mic, and finally they must enact a fantasy. The winner is decided and announced later that night.
People wishing to participate as a competitor may obtain an entry form from the Calgary Eagle, the Priape Calgary store, or www.priape.com.
The Mr. Calgary Leather 2009 competition is a great opportunity for anyone who identifies as a Leatherman (or Leather Boy) to express themselves and what they love about the fetish, win some awesome prizes, and have a great time representing Calgary at IML in Chicago!

Meet the Meat
Fri, September 26th @ 10:30pm
The Calgary Eagle

Mr. Leather Contest
Sat, September 27th @ 10:30pm
The Calgary Eagle

Registration Forms Available at:
The Calgary Eagle (424a - 8th Avenue SW)
Priape Calgary (1322 - 17th Avenue SW)
www.priape.com