Jack Thompson becomes first trans POC to win International Mr. Leather

Chicago, IL - Jack Thompson, the reigning Leatherman of Color 2019, was named International Mr. Leather 2019 on Sunday, May 26. 

A record-number of leather enthusiasts packed the Auditorium Theatre for the annual competition where Thompson became the 41st person to claim the coveted leather title.

Thompson is the first trans person of color and the second trans person ever to win.

"There's people in this room right now that don't believe I'm man enough to be on this stage," Thompson said during the speech portion of the competition. "If you're enough for you, then you are enough. Period."

"I'm Jack Thompson and I'm a proud biracial, openly transgender, HIV positive man and I am enough," he continued to a standing ovation.

During the physique portion of the competition, Thompson wore a Transgender Flag jockstrap.

Hailing from Baltimore, Thompson bested a field of 68 contestants that included a record number of eighteen International contestants representing Belgium, Germany, Australia, Italy, Mexico, France, Ireland, Spain, Canada, Netherlands, Switzerland, Venezuela, China, European Union and Israel.

Tyler McCormick was the first trans man to win International Mr. Leather in 2010.

Jawn Marques, Mr. San Francisco Leather 2019, was named first runner-up, and second runner-up was Fionn Scott, Mr. Leather Ireland 2019. Kriszly de Hond was named International Mr. Bootblack.

This year's IML was the second to occur after the death of founder Chuck Renslow, who died June 29, 2017 at age 87.

Related: Leather Pride Flag first introduced at IML 30 years ago

Photos: IML 2019 Leather Market

INTERNATIONAL MR LEATHER 2019 WINNER

2nd Runner Up Fionn Scott

1st Runner Up Jawn Marques

IML 41 Jack Thompson

INTERNATIONAL BOOTBLACK 2019 WINNER

2nd Runner Up Sparky

1st Runner Up Geoff Millard

IMBB 41 Kriszly de Hond

INTERNATIONAL MR LEATHER 2019 TOP 20

Mr. Atlas Leather 2019 Colin Marcus Jackson

Mr. Ramrod 2018 Elimination

Mr. New Jersey Leather 2019 Lynx

Mr. Leather Belgium 2018 Bart

Mr. Friendly SF 2019 Amp Somers

Mr. CMen Leather 2018 James Stewart

Mr. Leather Spain 2018 Joseph Rider

Mister Leather Berlin 2018 Jens Walker

Laird Leatherman 2017 James Addinsal

Mr. San Francisco Leather 2019 Jawn Marques

Mr. Leather Ireland 2019 Fionn Scott

Mr. Pittsburgh Leather Fetish 2018 Greg Jones

Leatherman of Color 2019 Jack Thompson

Mr. Mid Atlantic Leather 2019 Emerson Aniceto

Mr. Michigan Leather 2019 Will Baker

Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2019 Elliot Musgrave

Mr. Leather Venezuela 2018 Gaspare

Mister Fetish Spain 2018 Emerson Prieto

Mr. Chicago Leather 2019 Saber Onyx

Mister Leather Europe 2019 Everett Leerson