And The Winner Is!!!!

March 25, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Los Angeles Leather Pride, Robert Blackmon

AND THE WINNER IS!!!!

Justin Emerick (Mr. Regiment 2013), was sashed as the newest Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2013 on Saturday night at Circus Disco in Hollywood, CA.  Justin along with his six other leather brothers strutted their stuff to impress an esteemed panel of judges. Bar wear, jock strap and formal wear were the three categories the men competed in. A twenty minute interview was done earlier in the day and the scores from each made up the total.

A side splitting intermission show was performed by the hilarious comedian Judy Tenuta. She held no prisoners
in her bawdy act. The ordained minister held a “surprise” wedding ceremony in which she pulled on stage LA Leather Pride Vice Chair Kevin Casey and his DP of five years Bryan Denhardt. The two were married in her own religion “Judy-ism”. The night was just beginning. During the contest there was an exhibit of leather history and erotic art held in the “Leather Hall of History”. 665 Leather, Rough Trade, The Tom of Finland Foundation, were among the businesses that donated items in the silent auction which raised more than $3,500 for local charities. The beneficiaries include: Project Angel Food, Being Alive, Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center, One National Gay & Lesbian Archive and Sharon St. Cyr Fund.  The night ended with the most anticipated dance of the season Meat Rack “Off the Hook”. Hundreds of the hottest guys in So. Cal piled into the club and danced the night away.

This year’s LA Leather Pride celebrated L.A.’s past, present and future with the theme “TRADITION: Looking Back…Moving Forward”. And that they did. The week was kicked off on Friday March 15th with Tom’s Angeles which was sponsored by The LA Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence who saluted the Tom of Finland Foundation at Eagle LA. The next night at Pistons Bar in Long Beach, PROBED (the Black Party) was held benefitting Long Beach Aids Foundation.  On Sunday the 17th Hell on Wheels Pt I – The Ride was held. This was the official kick off to the week as the contestants hopped on the backs of motorcycles and visiting several of L.A. iconic bars & businesses that have made our local community great. The six hour ride ended at The Bullet Bar in North Hollywood. Where Avatar Club Los Angeles sponsored the beer bust and contestant number draw.

Stories in Leather  was held on Monday the 18th  at The Bullet Bar. Mr. L.A. Leather Bear Carl Dove hosted this one of a kind event where leather folk came together and shared their stories and experiences in the leather community. Followed by the very popular Spank! The Dark Side of Karaoke hosted by Mr. Long Beach Leather 2010 Alex Kitay. The opening of “The Art of Drummer”, a traveling exhibition from the Leather Archives & Museum, was held at Antebellum Gallery Hollywood on Tuesday the 19th. The week wasn’t all uptight and high brow. All hell broke loose on Wednesday night with the annual Hell on Wheels Pt II – Roller Skating Fetish Party at the  Moonlight Rollerway. This fun filled evening hosted by Payasos LA brought out the roller derby in all of us! You haven’t lived until you’ve roller skated with the view of Mr. LA Leather Justin Emerick in a short leather gladiator kilt wiggling in front of you!

The weekend began early on Thursday the 21st as Bears LA converged on Mickey’s in West Hollywood to sponsor Prowl & Growl. This was the official LA Leather Meet & Greet. Leather men, bears and strippers Oh My! The Assembly Uniform Reception hosted by the California B&B Corps, The Regiment of the Black and Tans and BLUF took place at Rough Trade on Friday night. This social brought out leather men far and wide in their best uniforms and leather formal gear. Later that evening Maximus continued the theme and hosted Cigar Social at Eagle LA.

After Saturday night’s fantastic contest event, the weekend was wrapped up with a fitting Mr. LA Leather Victory Brunch and the 10th Annual Southland Honors Awards at Pistons Bar in Long Beach. Guests were treating to a scrumptious buffet by caterer Layne Sanden. Several community leaders were honored including business of the year The Bullet Bar in North Hollywood and the late Kent Arnwolt. A special community service award was renamed in the memory of the incomparable George Wong. The George Wong Person of the Year Award was given to a very shocked and overwhelmed Marlon Morales Mr. LA Leather 2012. The afternoon concluded with the Pistons Beer Bust.