Judges
Judges
Robert Chandler
I am pleased and honored to have been asked to represent Connecticut Leather once again this year as the Master of Ceremonies. I mostly enjoy getting out and seeing so many wonderful leather men and women in our community. This year like many others has been pretty busy for me, To the contestants this year, I wish them all the very best of luck! It takes a tremendous set of @#* to stand up and represent not only yourself, but the community.
M.C.
SUSAN WEINSTEIN
Interpreter
Click her Photo credit - Daddy Coreye
Michael Mayer, aka boy Michael, is a member of Mama’s Family since January 2011 when he was pinned Mama’s Devil Pup. Michael has been an active member of the Bear and Leather communities for many years and is blessed by the brotherhood and friendship these communities provide. Michael is a Client Service Manager for a financial firm in Baltimore Maryland. Additionally, Michael is the chairperson for the firm’s LGBT Employee Resource Group, designed to heighten LGBT awareness in a conservative environment, engage allies towards a more diverse and inclusive work environment and empower LGBT employees in their personal and career goals. Michael has spent much time in corporate networking to empower LGBT professionals, raising awareness and support for the transgender community and seeking community outreach opportunities in the Baltimore area, focusing primarily on health awareness and HIV/AIDS prevention and cure. Michael couldn’t be happier to be back in Connecticut, his second home, as Tally master for the Mr Connecticut Leather Contest! Heart felt congratulations to the Connecticut Leather family. He also gives best wishes to this year’s Mr. Connecticut Leather contestants! Have fun and please stay true to yourselves. Follow the path your heart and soul lead you on! As a supporter of all the local groups and their endeavors I look forward to the fun and excitement of this event.
Tallymaster
SUSAN WEINSTEIN Photo credit - Daddy Corey
Susan is a leather woman, proudly hailing from NYC. She's been a nationally certified interpreter for over 30 years. In 2002, she was asked to interpret at NY's Leather Pride Night which led to interpreting at the Mr. Eagle NYC contest and that led to interpreting leather contests and kink events all along the Northeast (Atlantic States Leather, Mr. & Ms. NJ Leather, Northeast Leather Weekend, to name a few) , as well as 12 Days in Baltimore. She's Mama's Magic Fingers in Mama's Family and Saint Fast Fingers according to the Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. She speaks eloquently with her hands providing invaluable service for deaf and hard of hearing contest-goers and contestants. She is happy to be back interpreting at Mr. Connecticut Leather.
INTERPRETER
Michael Mayer
Tim’s Leather journey began about 20 years ago while living in Rochester, NY. Through interaction with the Rochester Rams, he became intrigued with the leather lifestyle, met his SIR and was trained in the ways of the Old Guard. In those “early” days, his travels took him to IML and MAL working as a leather vendor. Having since moved back to his home state of Connecticut in 1999. In 2010 Tim cofounded the CT. Cruisers, a play group that encourages safety and responsibility while providing a safe space for those that wish to explore their inner desires and fetishes and offers education to those new to the lifestyle. He is the proud SIR to his boy Robert a.k.a. “scruffy” (Mr. New Jersey Leather 2011). Tim has competed at both MAL and IML and is an Associate member of the Jersey boys of Leather. Tim is an avid sailor, loves the beach and enjoys being a photographer. Tim always stresses the most important attributes to carry with you on your leather journey are honesty, integrity and respect….. respect for others but above all respect for yourself.
Den Daddy
Tim White
Mr. Ct. Leather 2011
Judges
Ricky Mestre, (He/Him) is Mr. Connecticut Leather 2026, 2nd Runner Up for Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2026 and contestant 24 at the International Mr. Leather contest class 48. He is a multimedia artist from Stratford, Connecticut. His artwork has been displayed and exhibited in numerous galleries and museums across the state of Connecticut. He is the founder of Greater Bridgeport Pride in Bridgeport, Connecticut having celebrated its 16th consecutive year this past summer. Artistic inspiration comes from Frida Kahlo. Tom of Finland and the Peanuts comic strip. Ricky is the captain for team PRIDE for AIDS Walk New York, a Connecticut based group that started 14 yaers ago and has raised over $30,000 for GMHC. Ricky has volunteered and worked with several organizations and title holders using his visual art and performance art to help generate money towards their charities. He believes in sharing his gifts to inspire people to get involved in uplifting the LGBTQ+ community.
Ricky Mestre
Mr. CT Leather 2026
Gage Ryder (He/Him/His):
Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Gage Ryder has called Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania home for the last 11 years. Here, he found his way into the leather community, discovered a penchant for collecting unique pieces of gear, and developed a love for the many kinksters and civilians alike he now calls his family and friends.
For his title year as Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather, his focus is to be an ambassador and friend to the community as a whole. In a world where differences pull so much focus, his mission is to invite others to embrace their true selves, to be brave enough to seek to understand every part of themselves, and to be courageous enough to accept the full spectrum of who they are.
Outside of leather and fetish, he enjoys drawing, writing, cooking, exercise, meditation, astrology, travel, tarot, and picking up new hobbies."
Gage Ryder
Mr MAL
Paris Valentine (it/its she/her) is the first woman to hold the New England Rubber title. She is a switch, performer, leatherworker, rubber crafter, and kink educator. She first entered the fetish scene in 2022 before arriving in Boston in 2024. In that time, she has dedicated herself to promoting safer, more inclusive, and more accessible spaces to welcome both newcomers and veterans into the community.
A lover of power exchange, deep headspace, and intense sensations, she is known for making a scene anywhere she goes, whether showing absolute devotion as a submissive or putting pets in their place as a dominatrix
Paris Valentine
New England Rubber
SwitchBlade (He/Him/El), aka pup Spliffy, is Mr. New Jersey Leather 2025. Like his name, he is sharp with his tongue and a switch in most kinks; Yellow and Magenta being 2 of his favorites. Most recently competed, and placed, in the Top 20 at IMLBB 2026. A playful puppy with a sadistic side, he keeps a flogger ready in exchange for a head scratch or belly rub! You may have seen him out and about giving zappies to those who love a good electro play intro. He continues his education in hopes of passing that knowledge on to the next generation of kinksters. A sexual health provider/champion by day, and a proud Kinkster/Leatherman/Pup by night; he can also be found dancing for events at a local bar near you. Honored to be invited as a Judge at NEPAH (NorthEast Pet And Handler) 2025 and the Woods Campgrounds Leather Contest 2025. From volunteering to educating or organizing moshes and being judge's boy, if it is a service Switchblade can offer, he will be the first to sign up! A lover of power exchange, deep headspace, and intense sensations, she is known for making a scene anywhere she goes, whether showing absolute devotion as a submissive or putting pets in their place as a dominatrix
SwitchBlade
Mr. New Jersey Leather 2025
Luis Olmo-Rivera is a nonprofit professional who works at the intersection of development, operations, technology, and governance — the connective tissue that lets mission-driven organizations run well and grow sustainably.
He currently serves as the development director at Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) in New Haven. DESK provides food assistance and services that promote health, community, and equity for people experiencing homelessness and living in poverty.His work spans donor relations and fundraising communications, CRM and data systems, internal financial controls, and building out the policy and governance infrastructure that supports a growing organization — from board-facing impact reporting to donation ethics and external communications standards.
Before DESK, he led the development department at The Open Hearth Association in Hartford and held operations roles at Achieve Hartford! and Wellspring Consulting. He has served on the board of The Diaper Bank of Connecticut as Vice Chair and Governance Committee Chair. He is currently the Vice President of the board of directors at Lumability, Inc., and a member of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce's Nonprofit Resource Council's steering committee. Luis is currently studying at Charter Oak State College, working toward his Master's in Public Administration.
Luis resides in Manchester with his wife Kate, their son Sebastian, and their two dogs Penny and Jake
Luis Olmo-Rivera
