Additional guest rooms for MAL 2024 guests now available at nearby hotels. See the Hotel…
Daniel “Danbear” DeLuca
Mr. Mid Atlantic Leather 2023
Daniel DeLuca, also known as Danbear, is a successful businessman, philanthropist, and a role model for the LGBTQ+ community. As the reigning Mr. Mid Atlantic Leather 2023 and Mr. Pittsburgh Leather Bear 2023, also placing in the top ten at IML 45, Danbear is a prominent figure in the fetish world, known for his body positivity and deep commitment to charitable causes and conversion therapy survivors. As a conversion therapy survivor, Danbear is very passionate about protecting and supporting the rights of all LGBT walks of life. When he’s not competing, attending fetish events or co-hosting the local bear nights for charitable causes he can be found at his own hair salon or spending quality time with his husband and friends, exploring new cultures, cuisines, making new friends and hunting for a nice bear belly/beard to rub in his and his husbands explorative open/poly relationship. With his trademark warmth, gogo bear skills and generosity, Danbear is always on the lookout for opportunities to give back to his community and promote inclusivity and diversity. Follow his journey on Instagram @danbear412.
Leslie Anderson
International Ms. Bootblack 1999, American Leatherwoman 1997
Leslie Anderson is a Bootblack, an artist, an educator, a Historian, and has been a Leather kinkster for over 30 years. They have held a few titles, including International Ms. Bootblack 1999, and American Leatherwoman 1997. Leslie has also been awarded prestigious accolades from the Pantheon Rocky Mountain Regional awards, The Marcus Hernandez Lifetime Achievement award to the Leathertarian Lifetime Achievement award. In 2015, they received the David Galbraith award and most recently, The Chuck Renslow President’s award.
Since 2018, Leslie has been the preservation specialist and curator at the Leather Archives and Museum.
Since 2005, Leslie has served as Captain of Team Shine for International Mr. Leather and International Mr. Bootblack.
“My job is to connect objects with stories, that teach our history… and then by making it personal. Legacy is the magic”.
Marcus Barela
International Mr. Leather 2023, Eagle LA Mr. Leather 2023
Marcus Barela is a Mexican Texan who’s ready for some sexin! He’s been a member of the Eagle LA staff for 18 years and is prepping to be a UCLA student studying Spanish and Queer Studies. He is Eagle LA Mr. Leather 2023, and International Mister Leather 2023. Marcus is a proud sober leather man. He keeps centered through Tarot and Astrology and the cultivation of magic he believes we all share. Ask him about his magic beans… The photo is by Dusti Cunningham.
John Michael Gordon
Mr. Gay USA 1999, Mr. Gay All American 1992, Mr. Gay Texas 1992, Mr. Razzle Dazzle Dallas 1992, Mr. Gay World Series 1988, Buddies Man 1982
Born and raised in Vermont, a country boy at heart, I spent six years in Boston before moving to Dallas, Texas in 1987. I have been a Personal Fitness Trainer since 2000, helping countless people to achieve a fit and healthy lifestyle as well as building self-confidence.
Being fit, staying active and being a productive member of the LGBTQ+ community, has always been a priority. I started out participating in sports within the community. That included, softball, bowling, volleyball, tennis and swimming. I was the manager and founder of the TKO softball team that eventually won the 2011 Gay Softball World Series in the B Division. I was also a member of the 2004 IGLA (International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics) small team champions, Texas CowBuoys!
My first gay contest was in Boston at the age of 19. A popular dance club “Buddies” held a contest every year to select 5 guys to represent the club. I was one of 5 men (boys) chosen in 1982. Once in Dallas and on a request from a friend to enter the Mr. Razzle Dazzle Dallas contest in 1991, I soon found myself in a whole new world! After winning Mr. Razzle Dazzle Dallas, I was off to Mr. Gay Texas then Mr. Gay All American. I then directed, choreographed and co-emceed Mr. Gay All American from 1993 until 1998. After an 8-year break from competing, I was judging a preliminary contest for Mr. Gay USA, when I thought, I can still do this. I won Mr. Gay USA 1999 that year and became the first man to win both national titles.
Winning Mr. Gay All American started my journey into entertainment, contests, pageants, and fund raising. I have judged numerous contests and pageants over my life. I created the “Home For The Holidays” foundation that assisted people living with HIV/Aids to travel home during the holidays! I also started the “Miss Charity America” pageant that was a big part of the fundraising for Home For The Holidays. I was a founding participant in our annual Lifewalk event in 1992 and participated for over 20 years.
Sue Nami
Miss Freddie’s 2017, Miss Godfrey’s 2016, Miss Gay Maryland USofA 2014, Miss Zigfields 2011, Miss Gay Maryland America 2009
Sue Nami, hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, is a celebrated entertainer with a prolific career in the world of pageantry for the past eighteen years. Her list of accolades includes titles such as Miss Gay Maryland America 2009, Miss Gay Maryland USofA 2014, Miss Zigfields 2011, Miss Godfrey’s 2016, and Miss Freddie’s 2017. Sue actively performs across the Northeast and was recently featured as the Headliner at St. Louis Pride! When not performing, Sue has judged for multiple pageantry systems, served as a pageant promoter, and actively supports local drag in her community. Today sue would like to wish the best of luck for all contestants for vying for the title of Mr. MAL 2024.
Master J. Tebias Perry
Master J. Tebias Perry is a native of Atlanta, GA. He has been in and around leather since the early 2000’s. He loves extensive travel and exploring new cultures. He enjoys international cuisines and sampling new dishes. His brand-themed party “Bulge” is well known for its annual “Tacos and Tequila” fundraiser throughout Atlanta, donating 100% of all proceeds to registered 501c3 organizations. He is a former member of ONYX – a national leather and kink fraternity for gay and bisexual men of color. He is an educator, mentor, activist, and passionate freelance journalist for two local gay editorials. He also had the pleasure of being a distinguished judge for the IML45 class of International Mr. Leather in Chicago. Since March 2023, he is an appointee to the Governance Committee at the Leather Archives and Museum. He also recently published his first book, “Leather Mentorship” where the World Premier launched in Sydney, Australia in July 2023.
He is always honored to be of maximum service to the community.
Butch Romero
Mr. Chicago Leather 2020
Butch Romero is a proud native Chicagoan currently living on the West Side. He is your Mr. Chicago Leather 2020 and proud class member of IML 45. He is a co-founder of WTNB (Women, Trans, Non Binary), formerly known as Chicago Leather Women’s Cruise Night, at Touché Chicago, in order to help foster an atmosphere where women, transgender and non binary folks can feel comfortable to cruise, socialize and play within a charged Leather space. He is a founding board member for the Leather History Preservation Foundation, whose primary mission is to preserve the leather tradition of oral history and oversees the Leather History Preservation Weekend. Butch values focus on gender identity and race relations within the leather community. He prioritizes this work as an Associate Member of ONYX Midwest and as a former BIPOC Liaison/Senior Staff Member for the International Ms. Leather Foundation, and the International Ms. Leather and International Ms. Bootblack contests. He previously volunteered as a Community Researcher with the Four Corners Advisory Network through Howard Brown Health and as Social Media Coordinator for Touche Chicago. Butch is a workaholic that enjoys cigars, good beer, and better fucking.
Additional guest rooms for MAL 2024 guests now available at nearby hotels. See the Hotel…
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