Just when I’ve grown tired of bitching out every gay man who makes offensive remarks against transgender individuals, the community proves me wrong by doing something absolutely extraordinary. Say hello to Tyler McCormick, the winner of this year’s International Mr. Leather competition. He’s a female-to-male transgender man, and yes… he’s in a wheelchair.
While some assholes are sure to cry out “tokenism”, I’m proud to see the self-proclaimed “Leather Gimp” take the title. It may not be the most groundbreaking moment in equality for transgender people, but it still makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Of course, it probably helps that Tyler’s a total cutie. Did you see his ass in the jockstrap competition? Yum!
– Dewitt
To watch a video of Tyler in the competition, follow the JUMP:
great speaking voice
Hey guys, I haven’t been able to make it to an IML event yet. (Hoping to in the next couple years) Is this competition based on the judges pick or does the crowd vote?
He is a good winner, and was genuinely surprised… like shaking surprised.
His speech was inspirational. I hope he does more with the title than the guy from Palm Springs two years ago… I hear that one got into Porn…
That’s a lot of adversity to overcome. It’s very inspirational. Glad he/she won! 😀
weird nipples.
pino, his nipples are like that because he was born a woman, c’mon now
Hey guys, sorry I may seem a bit naive, but I have yet to make it to an IML event (hoping to in the next few years.)
Is this title one voted on by the audience or chosen by judges?
Being an FTM myself, the correct pronoun is HE, not he/she. Tyler is a MAN. I am a MAN.
Heaven!!! What an amazing and deserving win! So inspirational, gracious and humble! Congrats Tyler!
Billy, The winner “that got into porn” (Gary Ibisa) had already had a film career before taking the title, as did another previous winner (2006, can’t remember his name).
2006 IML was Bo Ladashevska – simplified to Bo Ladd for his work. Google for images – you’ll be glad you did.
Nothing wrong with doing porn – it matters more what else a guy does with the title. If he is egotistical, wasted, and pissing on peoples’ boots at Folsom Street East (just hypothetically, of course), then I don’t care how he pays the rent.
To the guy further up the thread wondering how IMLs are chosen, a panel of judges is very strict, including everything from how well the man personifies the image of a leatherman, what sorts of leadership and community work he has done, how he struts his stuff on stage, and yes, the crowd reaction. This wasn’t a political choice – you can see from the youtube vids how much his fellow contestants approved of the win.
Thank you so much for posting this. It’s hard to be an out and proud transguy on a site like this, where more than half the dudes think I have no right calling myself a queer man. This video serves as a reminder that there ARE men out there who find us attractive/sexy/irresistible and are cool with us just the way we are.