Chicago, IL, January 29, 2012: Chicago's premier leather bar Touché was the center of the leather universe the weekend of January 27-29 as the host of the Mr Chicago Leather 2012 contest. Two hot, beefy leathermen competed for the title and after coming up with the narrowest of margins, just 1% separating their scores, Angel Velez claimed the title of Mr Chicago Leather 2012.
Both contestants were evenly matched, similar height, weight,and age, both well built with facial and body hair. The packed house cheered equally loud for each contestant all night. Contest MC John Pendal, IML 2003 made it aboundently clear his choice, offering to make a "Brit sandwich" with both.
In the end, Angel won the tug of war in the close competition and will represent Touché and Chicago at the International Mr Leather Contest in May. Angel is a retired Army Sergeant and is pursuing his doctorate in business administration. As the new Mr Chicago Leather 2012, Angel will be outfitted in a leather vest with his title on the back and a $500 gift certificate from Shel-Don Chicago Leather which co-sponsors Mr Chicago Leather with Touché.
The judging panel that tackled this challenging contest included Si Smits owner of the Boot Camp Saloon in Milwaukee for many years before being destroyed by fire in 2011, Michael Pagano, Mr Iowa Leather 2011, Robert Miller, co-founder of CLAW, Patrick "Pleep" Pierson, Mr Midwest Rubber 2011 and Mr Chicago Leather 2011, Jason Southerland.
The weekend's activities included a meet and great with introductions of the judges and contestants on Friday evening. Following the introductions, a Titleholder Lube Wrestling event was hosted by Jason as one of his last official duties as Mr Chicago Leather 2011. With the help of 4 gallons of lube donated by WET, the crowded room witnessed 4 titleholders going at each other, the best they could after being slicked down with WET lube. The final match featured a showdown between Mr Chicago Leather and Mr Midwest Rubber and during the ensuing slipfest, keeping any article of clothing on was an impossible feat and a pure treat for the audience.
A Fetish Flea Market was held both Saturday & Sunday afternoons with the main event Mr Chicago Leather 2012 Contest on Saturday night. As MC John Pendal was in top form and had the crowd roaring with laughter. At one point John enticed two pairs of audience members to participate in an charade style game acting out various sex acts. And whenever the din in the room got out of hand, John would manage a resounding "Shut the Fuck Up, Bitch!" from the crowd. Rounding out the weekend, as the new Mr Chicago Leather 2012, Angel hosted his Victory Party on Sunday evening, thanking folks and raffling off prizes including weekend registration for CLAW in April and IML in May.
As Mr Chicago Leather 2012, Angel will compete at International Mr Leather May 25-28, 2012. Of special note, John Pendal will return from London to co-host the IML completion with Karen Crelius.