Mr. Gay Naturists International (GNI) Leather [Edit]
Mr. GNI Leather is a leather contest and title awarded annually at the Gay Naturist International (GNI) Gathering. In recent years title holders have gone on to represent GNI at International Mr. Leather.
How does a nudist win a leather contest?
“Leather” is not just clothing but a state of mind. Naturism is not just the absence of clothing, it too is a state of mind.
Leather and naturism are similar in that both groups have thrown off the yoke of bondage to social convention and found a way to live life freely, boldly, proudly and honestly. Naturists and Leatherfolk all having chosen to “march to the beat of a different drummer…”, naturally find each other. While not all naturists are comfortable in the Leatherman’s world and many Leathermen prefer to cover their bodies with Leather, it is natural that there should be a large number of men who choose to keep their feet firmly planted in both worlds.
Leather has a long history at GNI. The Mr. GNI Leather Contest has been a staple of the GNI Gathering experience for well over 20+ years. The contest spans several days and includes, the usual Interviews, Jockstrap Physique Segment (oops, no need for a jockstrap to show skin at GNI), Meet the Meat party, and a unique segment of the Mr. GNI Leather contest is a BDSM skills component.
The Mr. GNI Leather contest configuration:
There is an application, an interview, 2 BDSM challenges, involvement in GNI activities in addition to the leather events, and ballots from each member attending GNI. In the past, the judges have determined the allocation of points for each element of the contest. An example that has been used in the past used the interview along with the judges witness of the contestants engagement in GNI activities has counted for up to 40 points of the score. Each of two BDSM challenge give the winner of the challenge 15 points, second place 10 points and the other contestants 5 points for participation. The person who gets the most number of camp ballots gets 15 points, the second most 10 points and the third most 5 points. The max score is 100 (55 + 15 1st BDSM + 15 2nd BDSM + 15 for the camp ballots).
History of Mr. GNI Leather Contest
In the mid-90’s, GNI began holding the Mr. GNI Leather contest as an outreach to affirm men who have an interest in leather / kink / fetish lifestyles. The contest grew and became very popular commanding up to 15 participants in the early years. And while record-keeping of contest winners wasn’t kept in the 1990’s, when the new staff (our current Executive Director) took over, he ensured that the names of contest winners have been archived; thus, we have only the names of the title holders from the year 2000 to the present.
Mr. GNI Leather Contest Title Holders
2000 | Michael Lazor | Clearwater FL |
2001 | Muscle Butt Pig | |
2002 | Alan Newland | Euless TX |
2003 | Ricky Jay Yates | New York NY |
2004 | Mark Bivings | Wilton Manors FL |
2005 | Michael Miller | Washington DC |
2006 | Scott M. | Sarasota FL |
2007 | Paul LaDuca | Buffalo NY |
2008 | David Zecca | Atlanta GA |
2009 | Ron Todd | Fort Lauderdale FL |
2010 | Dan Marrs | Fort Lauderdale FL |
2011 | Greg Tepper | Philadelphia PA |
2012 | Kim Hassall | Palmerston North New Zealand |
2013 | Gary O. | Chestnut Ridge NY |
2014 | John Skopos | Tarpon Springs FL |
2015 | Dave Barnett | Washington DC |
2016 | Ralph Bruneau (IML 2017) | Los Angeles CA |
2017 | Brian J Ballone | Saddle Brook NJ |
2018 | Jonathan Kharfen | Boston MA |
2019-20 | Mark Branson | Baltimore MD |