International Deaf Leather
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In 1989, something special started brewing in Chicago. The National Leather Association Conference created a task force for Deaf leather people. Michael Felts chaired a small group called "NLA: Deaf Chapter." The co-founders who established what would become International Deaf Leather were: Michael Felts, Philip Rubin, Bob Donaldson, Rolf Hagton, Jim Dunne, Bobby Andrascik, and Charles Wilkinson. These seven people saw a need for Deaf individuals to have their own space within the leather community, and they made it happen.
In 1991, the group officially renamed to International Deaf Leather (IDL). That same year, the International Mr. Deaf Leather Contest made its debut in Dallas, Texas. Philip Rubin became the first person in history to win the IDL title, setting the stage for three decades of tradition, brotherhood, and pride.
Over the years, IDL has grown from a small task force into an international organization that spans the globe. What started as a contest for men expanded to include women with the International Ms. Deaf Leather contest in 1996, won by Cool Cat. Later, the IDLboy category was added, giving younger community members their own space to shine.
The organization has hosted events in cities across North America - from Dallas to Montreal, San Francisco to Baltimore, Seattle to Orlando. Each year brings new faces, new stories, and new traditions while honoring the legacy of those who came before.
Every year, IDL hosts contests that bring the community together. These are more than just competitions - they are celebrations of identity, courage, and leather pride. Here is a look at where we have been:
1991 - Dallas, TX
"Country & Western"
MC: Larry Warnow
IMrDL: Philip Rubin
1992 - Baltimore, MD
MC: Steve Kennedy & Jan Lyons
IMrDL: Bob Donaldson
1993 - Los Angeles, CA
"LA Airline"
IMrDL: Chris Mueller
1994 - New York, NY
"Stonewall"
IMrDL: Jose Granda
1995 - Montreal, Canada
"Bathhouse"
IMrDL: David Cowan
1996 - Chicago, IL
"Construction Workers"
IMrDL: Daniel Sonnenfeld
IMsDL: Cool Cat
1997 - Kansas City, KS
"The Leather of Oz"
IMrDL: Patrick Richardson
1998 - Denver, CO
"Wild, Wild West"
IMrDL: Danny Carbonell
IMsDL: Susan Gonzales
1999 - New Orleans, LA
"Mardi Gras"
IMrDL: Bob Rourke
2000 - San Francisco, CA
"Gold Rush"
IMrDL: Buck Rogers
IMsDL: Black C
2001 - Seattle, WA
"NW Camping"
IMrDL: Alan 'SPO'
IMsDL: Black X
2002 - Washington, DC
IMrDL: William 'BAM' Coleman
2003 - Orlando, FL
"Discovery of Florida"
IMrDL: Juan Zazueta
IMsDL: Renata Millet
2004 - Dallas, TX
IMrDL: Paul O'Rourke
IMsDL: Stephanie Juge
2005 - Washington, DC
"We, the Bear and Leather People"
IMrDL: Michael Ratzlaff
IMsDL: Leather Cat
IDLboy: boy alex
2006 - San Diego, CA
"15th Anniversary"
IMrDL: Steve Kennedy
IMsDL: Leather Cat
IDLboy: boy b
2007 - Atlanta, GA
"Cave"
IMrDL: Jerry Garmany
IDLboy: boy b
2008 - Philadelphia, PA
"Love"
IMrDL: Sir "Y"
IDLboy: boy taz
2009 - Chicago, IL
"Let's Start a 2nd Great Chicago Fire"
IMrDL: Terry Morrell
IDLboy: boy taz
2010 - Las Vegas, NV
"Viva Leather Vegas"
IMrDL: Terry Morrell
IMsDL: Val Sherrill
2011 - Denver, CO
"IDL Family Continues to Grow"
IMrDL: Sir Justin
IMsDL: Val Sherrill
IDLboy: boy david
2012 - Baltimore, MD
"Leather>More...We Show You Our Charm"
IDLboy: boy richard
2013 - Montreal, Canada
"Deaf Leather Village"
No contest held - excellent shows!
IDL continues to grow and evolve. The organization remains committed to its founding principles - bringing Deaf and Hard of Hearing leather enthusiasts together, building bridges with the hearing leather community, and preserving the rich traditions that make this culture so special.
Whether you were at that first contest in Dallas in 1991 or you are discovering IDL for the first time today, you are part of a legacy that spans more than three decades. The stories continue to be written, and the community continues to welcome new members with open arms.
We are IDL. We are family. We are leather.
International Deaf Leather - Preserving Our History, Building Our Future