@sentimentaldom @cubbynonsense @orsetto Yeah. If I understand correctly, IML/IMBB winners flew to Florida their title years to attend the victory party at Inn Leather, sponsored by LeatherWerks (e.g. https://m.facebook.com/events/d41d8cd9/mr-iml-pool-party-at-inn-leather-resort-in-ft-lauderdale/386122634916037/ ). This is normally thrown in IML/IMBB's honor and they'd receive their vests there. Except these winners basically found out at the airport that they weren't welcome because they were trans, and Inn Leather doesn't consider trans men to be men.

I'd be upset too!

@sentimentaldom @cubbynonsense @orsetto Some of IML/IMBB's staff have been trying for years to make this better, but Bearman as board member and his business LeatherWerks as major donor made that difficult. Eventually Jeremy (IMBB coordinator) and the entire IMBB staff resigned in protest, as did many of IML's department heads. Bearman resigned from IML's board, and Bill Stadt is being replaced as well. IML being transferred to LA&M.

https://thisleatherlife.com/2023/01/28/what-happened-to-the-2023-international-mr-bootblack-contest/

https://thisleatherlife.com/2023/01/30/iml-imbb-update-as-of-01-30-2023/

@sentimentaldom @cubbynonsense @orsetto Disclaimers! I don't have firsthand knowledge of any of these events, but I'm an acquaintance of Jeremy at least. There's also a long-running concern over IMBB being somewhat subordinate to IML, and feelings that bootblacks generally don't get the respect they deserve. There's at least 13 years of history here and a ton I don't know, too--just trying to piece it together as best I can.

@daddybooffer and @NitroATL can probably check me here!