2008 International Mr. Leather Named Over Memorial Day Weekend

Chicago, IL - Gary Iriza, Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2008, was named International Mr. Leather at the 30th Anniversary IML Competition Sunday night in Chicago.

Iriza bested a field of 51 contestants, from as far away as Berlin, Germany and London, England. Participants were judged on stage presence and personality (Pecs and Personality), leather image, presentation skills, and physical appearance.

Over 2,000 leather enthusiasts packed the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Chicago for Sunday's competition. Andy Bell, one half of Erasure fame, brought the audience to their feet with a rousing performance.

The sold-out Hyatt was the host hotel for IML Weekend. According to organizers, the weekend attendance topped 16,000 which shattered previous records.

IML began in 1979 when about 400 gay leathermen gathered in Chicago. Today thousands gather in the Windy City over Memorial Day Weekend for what has become an annual tradition for the leather community.

For more information on International Mr. Leather, visit www.imrl.com