by James Whitely - SGN Staff Writer

Last weekend, Tyler McCormick took home the International Mr. Leather (IML) title, beating out 50 other contestants in the Chicago, Illinois competition. The second runner-up was Jack Andrew Duke (Mr. Texas Leather), and the first runner-up was Lance Holman (Mr. San Francisco Leather). The Mr. International Bootblack winner was Tim Starkey, of the Boston Ramrod.

The announcement of McCormick, Mr. Rio Grande, New Mexico Leather as the winner triggered a veritable celebration onstage and in the audience for two reasons: McCormick uses a wheelchair and he is a female-to-male Transgender man.

"When I first transitioned, I was told I would never be accepted and that I would never be able to take my shirt off in public," he said during the speaking round of the competition. "Standing here as a strong, confident leatherman is proof to the contrary."

Not only is he the 32nd man to hold the title, but he is the first man to do so from a wheelchair.

"There's a reason I go by 'Leather Gimp,'" he said in a post-win interview. "You're not going to offend me if you use words that are in your heart, but if you're trying to be [politically correct], then lighten up a little."

The IML competition and celebration went on from May 27-31 and consisted of a wide variety of events, parties, competitions, and dinner celebrations.

McCormick was announced as the winner on Sunday May 30.

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