Tag Archives: IML

Jack Duke placed third at IML

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Reigning Mr. Texas Leather Jack Duke — who we profiled last week — made a great showing in Chicago for International Mr. Leather, coming in second runner-up behind Mr. San Francisco Leather and the winner, Mr. Rio Grande (based on New Mexico, not Texas). That’s a remarkable achievement, on the heels of outgoing International Mr. Leather Jeffrey Payne, who followed the same path as Duke last year.

Payne himself was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award … but not just any kind. He is the first recipient of the JEFFREY PAYNE Lifetime Achievement Award, which will henceforth be named after him. Payne really dedicated himself to leather during his tenure, and the citation reads: “In recognition of service above and beyond to the international leather community.” Yea for Duke! Yea for Payne! Yeah for Texas.

—  Arnold Wayne Jones

Mr. Texas Leather holds last IML fundraiser

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Jack DukeIn the upcoming print edition of the Voice, we’ll have a story on Jack Duke, the reigning Mr. Dallas Eagle and Mr. Texas Leather, who hopes to become — next weekend! — the International Mr. Leather (a position currently held by fellow Dallasite Jeffrey Payne). In the run-up  to the contest in Chicago next week, Duke is holding his final local fundraiser on Thursday (before we hit the streets), so I figured we’d give a shout-out on his behalf.

For a $20 donation to the travel fund, you can join Duke and others in the leather community at a private residence in Oak Cliff for cocktails and appetizers, starting at 8 p.m. If you wonder whether it will be worth it … well, let’s put it this way: I’ve met Jack and photographed him. He’s not only nice, he’s hot, with a sexy, make-ya-melt Italian accent.

To RSVP and for directions, call 214-394-4640.

—  Arnold Wayne Jones

Jeffrey Payne profiled in HIV Plus magazine

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In the Ask and Tell feature of HIV Plus’ May/June issue, they talk with 2009′s International Mr. Leather Jeffrey Payne, who also happens to be based in Dallas. Payne gives props to the Dallas leather community as well as talks about his role as the 2009 IML in speaking about HIV to the masses.

Here’s a snippet from the q&a:

So what’s been the crowd reaction in general to your candidness about your life with HIV?
It’s been terrific! In fact, at one conference where I gave a speech about being HIV-positive, one of the MCs also came out of the “HIV closet” and said he’d been positive for eight years but never felt comfortable telling anyone before. I know that if I continue to share my journey, others like him may draw strength and be able to free themselves of those invisible chains that HIV has wrapped around them.

Payne will surrender the title May 30 at this year’s IML in Chicago. All of our eyes are, of course, on Jack Duke, the current Mr. Texas Leather. We’re hoping he can pull off a clean sweep of leather titles just like Payne did in 2009.

—  Rich Lopez