DOUGLAS, Mich. — This past weekend was Mr. Michigan Leather weekend (read my weekend review at this link) at the Dunes Resort in Douglas, Michigan. The weekend featured plenty of entertainment, education, & the centerpiece of the weekend, the Mr. Michigan Leather 2018 Contest. The Mr. Michigan Leather (MML) contest is the state’s feeder to International Mr. Leather held yearly in Chicago.
Judges for this year’s contest included; Ralph Bruneau, International Mr. Leather 2017; LE, American Leatherwoman 2015; Ross Ransom, Mr. Louisiana Leather 2017; Daddy J, Mr. Chicago Leather 2011; & Kenn Kennedy, Mr. Michigan Leather 2017. As always the Emcee this year was Bob Johnson, Mr. LA Leather 2006. Judges Boy was Michael Vander Elzen and the Tally Masters were Craig Henry & Daniel Pierce, Mr. Campit Leather 2011. The Stage Manager role fell to Mr. Michigan Leather 2009 & founder of Mr. Friendly, Dave Watt.
This year’s contest featured four contestants. Tim Koski, Mr. Dunes Leather 2017; Jerry Fortuna from Lansing; Cory Vinegar, Mr. Liberty Leather 2017; & Electro, Mr. Campit Leather 2017.
Entertainment during the show was provided by Chicago’s Velicity Metropolis.
Contestants competed in three rounds. The bar wear round allowed the contestants to introductions while they dressed in apparel you would likely find them wearing to a Leather Bar. The Pecs & Personality round allowed the contestants to show off their personality by answering questions provided by the Judges as well as show off their physiques as they posed on stage in their jocks/thongs. During the speech portion of the contest we seen the contestants in their formal leathers as they delivered their speeches.
While the judges made their final scores and handed them to the tally masters for calculation, Mr. Michigan Leather 2017, Kenn Kennedy delivered his step down speech. The speech touched on sex shaming in the Leather Community and how he used his title reign to work towards inclusion of sex positivity.
The contestants were then brought back on stage where they first announced the Leather Brotherhood award. This year the Brotherhood award was presented to Mr. Dunes Leather 2017, Tim Koski. It was then on to the title announcement. First runner up went to Mr. Liberty Leather 2017 Cory Vinegar and then announcing the new Mr. Michigan 2018, Electro.
Electro will go on to represent Michigan as he competes for the International Mr. Leather Title in Chicago.
