International Mr. Leather
@iml-imbb.bsky.social
International Mr. Leather (IML) is an international conference and contest of leathermen held annually in Chicago.
Sponsorship Opportunities & Forms: https://www.imrl.com/forms
Sponsorship Opportunities & Forms: https://www.imrl.com/forms
Billy Lane - Director of Sponsorship
Bob Graves - Vendor Market Director
Bolt - Director of Marketing and Customer Experience
Eric Holland - Director of Web and E-commerce (or as I call him, the Wizard of Oz).
Bob Graves - Vendor Market Director
Bolt - Director of Marketing and Customer Experience
Eric Holland - Director of Web and E-commerce (or as I call him, the Wizard of Oz).
January 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Billy Lane - Director of Sponsorship
Bob Graves - Vendor Market Director
Bolt - Director of Marketing and Customer Experience
Eric Holland - Director of Web and E-commerce (or as I call him, the Wizard of Oz).
Bob Graves - Vendor Market Director
Bolt - Director of Marketing and Customer Experience
Eric Holland - Director of Web and E-commerce (or as I call him, the Wizard of Oz).
Returning for 2026 are:
Brad Bartley - Director of Operations
Jeff Tucker - Director of Human Resources and Administration
Master J. Tebias Perry - Director of Engagement and Social Media
Chris Kelley - Director of Art Showcase
Daddy Tony - Director of Contest Events
Brad Bartley - Director of Operations
Jeff Tucker - Director of Human Resources and Administration
Master J. Tebias Perry - Director of Engagement and Social Media
Chris Kelley - Director of Art Showcase
Daddy Tony - Director of Contest Events
January 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Returning for 2026 are:
Brad Bartley - Director of Operations
Jeff Tucker - Director of Human Resources and Administration
Master J. Tebias Perry - Director of Engagement and Social Media
Chris Kelley - Director of Art Showcase
Daddy Tony - Director of Contest Events
Brad Bartley - Director of Operations
Jeff Tucker - Director of Human Resources and Administration
Master J. Tebias Perry - Director of Engagement and Social Media
Chris Kelley - Director of Art Showcase
Daddy Tony - Director of Contest Events
There is a lot of work that goes into building the vision of IMLBB and I could not do it alone. We have a talented, experienced, diverse, smart volunteer Board of Directors who are responsible for making IML the homecoming celebration it is, every year.
January 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
There is a lot of work that goes into building the vision of IMLBB and I could not do it alone. We have a talented, experienced, diverse, smart volunteer Board of Directors who are responsible for making IML the homecoming celebration it is, every year.
IML was built on the heart and courage to live outside the rules, and that will never change.
January 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
IML was built on the heart and courage to live outside the rules, and that will never change.
Theses aren’t rule changes, they are GUIDELINE changes.
We are all exceptions to some rule - so we’re not going to turn IML into a binary in/out yes/no on/off organization. We are all exceptions that live in the gray - 50 shades of gray.
We are all exceptions to some rule - so we’re not going to turn IML into a binary in/out yes/no on/off organization. We are all exceptions that live in the gray - 50 shades of gray.
January 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Theses aren’t rule changes, they are GUIDELINE changes.
We are all exceptions to some rule - so we’re not going to turn IML into a binary in/out yes/no on/off organization. We are all exceptions that live in the gray - 50 shades of gray.
We are all exceptions to some rule - so we’re not going to turn IML into a binary in/out yes/no on/off organization. We are all exceptions that live in the gray - 50 shades of gray.
And yes, we will absolutely make exceptions for one-off situations. So, maybe we end up with 49, or 51 but it will not be another class of 70+. It can’t be.
January 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
And yes, we will absolutely make exceptions for one-off situations. So, maybe we end up with 49, or 51 but it will not be another class of 70+. It can’t be.
And people running twice, or making up a title to crown themselves a winner and sewing a sash at home - take space from the ones who have earned their place there.
January 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
And people running twice, or making up a title to crown themselves a winner and sewing a sash at home - take space from the ones who have earned their place there.
We have a cast bigger than Les Mis - and it grows every year. And I’m not a fan of building dressing rooms in the alley outside - which is what we’re doing for 2026 (but Tony has assured me they will be glamorous).
January 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
We have a cast bigger than Les Mis - and it grows every year. And I’m not a fan of building dressing rooms in the alley outside - which is what we’re doing for 2026 (but Tony has assured me they will be glamorous).
In an atmosphere that is increasingly less friendly to the LGBTQIA+ community, we are thrilled to be moving to a bigger theatre for 2026. But all venue space has limitations.
January 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
In an atmosphere that is increasingly less friendly to the LGBTQIA+ community, we are thrilled to be moving to a bigger theatre for 2026. But all venue space has limitations.
We need to limit the class size to 50 (starting in 2027) because we are extremely challenged finding venues with enough dressing room space. This is about dressing room and bathroom space. Nothing more.
January 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
We need to limit the class size to 50 (starting in 2027) because we are extremely challenged finding venues with enough dressing room space. This is about dressing room and bathroom space. Nothing more.
Some minor updates to the contestant rules (which seemed to get a lot of attention) are much less nefarious or strategically Machiavellian than some may have perceived. The reasoning behind these, and additional changes coming for 2027, is incredibly simple.
January 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Some minor updates to the contestant rules (which seemed to get a lot of attention) are much less nefarious or strategically Machiavellian than some may have perceived. The reasoning behind these, and additional changes coming for 2027, is incredibly simple.
Early Bird pricing is in effect through January 31st so please take advantage of the discounts.
January 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Early Bird pricing is in effect through January 31st so please take advantage of the discounts.
And this year we are excited to bring some new elements to that mission…
The first update you saw was that tickets went on sale early this year, on Black Friday, so friends and family could give “the gift of IML” for the holidays.
The first update you saw was that tickets went on sale early this year, on Black Friday, so friends and family could give “the gift of IML” for the holidays.
January 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
And this year we are excited to bring some new elements to that mission…
The first update you saw was that tickets went on sale early this year, on Black Friday, so friends and family could give “the gift of IML” for the holidays.
The first update you saw was that tickets went on sale early this year, on Black Friday, so friends and family could give “the gift of IML” for the holidays.
The mission of IML is important: “To bring together with courage and authenticity the people whose command, presence, and sense of self communicate that special quality we recognize as Leather, for the purpose of validation, celebration, and exploration.”
January 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
The mission of IML is important: “To bring together with courage and authenticity the people whose command, presence, and sense of self communicate that special quality we recognize as Leather, for the purpose of validation, celebration, and exploration.”
Can’t be there in person? Join the livestream on our official pages:
www.facebook.com/internationa...
www.facebook.com/Internationa...
Stay tuned! Great things are happening this year and you won’t want to miss it.
www.facebook.com/internationa...
www.facebook.com/Internationa...
Stay tuned! Great things are happening this year and you won’t want to miss it.
January 16, 2026 at 2:06 AM
Can’t be there in person? Join the livestream on our official pages:
www.facebook.com/internationa...
www.facebook.com/Internationa...
Stay tuned! Great things are happening this year and you won’t want to miss it.
www.facebook.com/internationa...
www.facebook.com/Internationa...
Stay tuned! Great things are happening this year and you won’t want to miss it.
And yes… the official judge announcement will be made at MAL!
Join us live on Saturday, Jan 17th at Noon EST: Hyatt Regency Thornton Room C-D-E or live on our Facebook pages.
Stay tuned — the reveal is coming soon, and you won’t want to miss it.
- IMBB Team
imbb@imrl.com
Join us live on Saturday, Jan 17th at Noon EST: Hyatt Regency Thornton Room C-D-E or live on our Facebook pages.
Stay tuned — the reveal is coming soon, and you won’t want to miss it.
- IMBB Team
imbb@imrl.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:07 PM
And yes… the official judge announcement will be made at MAL!
Join us live on Saturday, Jan 17th at Noon EST: Hyatt Regency Thornton Room C-D-E or live on our Facebook pages.
Stay tuned — the reveal is coming soon, and you won’t want to miss it.
- IMBB Team
imbb@imrl.com
Join us live on Saturday, Jan 17th at Noon EST: Hyatt Regency Thornton Room C-D-E or live on our Facebook pages.
Stay tuned — the reveal is coming soon, and you won’t want to miss it.
- IMBB Team
imbb@imrl.com
Selected participants will be photographed in a controlled, respectful environment.
To apply, please email J.tebias@imrl.com with:
• Name
• Recent photo
• Availability for Sat afternoon (1/17)
To apply, please email J.tebias@imrl.com with:
• Name
• Recent photo
• Availability for Sat afternoon (1/17)
January 3, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Selected participants will be photographed in a controlled, respectful environment.
To apply, please email J.tebias@imrl.com with:
• Name
• Recent photo
• Availability for Sat afternoon (1/17)
To apply, please email J.tebias@imrl.com with:
• Name
• Recent photo
• Availability for Sat afternoon (1/17)
We seek individuals diverse in age, body, experience, and expression who view leather as lived identity.
Inspired by Catherine Opie, we aim to capture unapologetic queerness. In this climate, visibility is an act of resistance.
Inspired by Catherine Opie, we aim to capture unapologetic queerness. In this climate, visibility is an act of resistance.
January 3, 2026 at 6:47 PM
We seek individuals diverse in age, body, experience, and expression who view leather as lived identity.
Inspired by Catherine Opie, we aim to capture unapologetic queerness. In this climate, visibility is an act of resistance.
Inspired by Catherine Opie, we aim to capture unapologetic queerness. In this climate, visibility is an act of resistance.