Judges 2024
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.
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SUSAN WEINSTEIN
Interpreter
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
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
Michael Mayer
Trell Walters, also known as Conciliator Onyx, is the current Mr. Connecticut Leather 2023 placing first runners up at MAL and top 20 in IML . Trell currently lives in Wallingford CT, employed with FedEx Ground Corp for 20 years, and is a part-time student at Post University for his science and business degree. He is a mentor and worked many years as a camp counselor with privileged and inner city kids in Hartford County, with many talents, including music, appearing in many different bands to solo performing. He is working on a cookbook and a documentary titled The Great Storm of July. Trell is currently a full member of ONYX Northeast Chapter, crossing with the Paradigm Shift pledge line in 2022. He is also the founder of No boy boy left behind and the creator of No One Left Behind celebrating other's kink, providing safe spaces and kink safety education. Trell is known for his smile and positive energy and a dark naughty sense of humor, earning his nickname, Bull. He has participated in many events such as NJ Leather Weekend and many others from FL to TX. Trell had facilitated many kink classes such as Queer Kink Convention and Mr Mayhem Weekend, including appearances from Austin Kink weekend all the way to New Haven Black Pride supporting his fellow leaders and advocating for others and motivating the new generation to rise and shine for the occasion.
Trell Walters
Mr. Ct. Leather
2023
Daniel DeLuca (Danbear)
Mr. Mid Atlantic Leather
Mr. Pittsburgh Leather Bear
Daniel DeLuca, also known as Danbear, is a successful businessman, prolific philanthropist and a role model for the LGBTQ+ community. As the reigning Mr. Mid Atlantic Leather and Mr. Pittsburgh Leather Bear, Danbear is a prominent figure in the fetish world, known for his body positivity and deep commitment to charitable causes and conversion therapy survivors. As a conversion therapy survivor, Danbear is very passionate about protecting and supporting the rights of all LGBT walks of life. When he's not competing, attending fetish events or co hosting the local bear nights for charitable causes he can be found at his own hair salon or spending quality time with his husband and friends, exploring new cultures, cuisines, making new friends and hunting for a nice bear belly/beard to rub in his and his husbands explorative open/poly relationship. With his trademark warmth, gogo bear skills and generosity, Danbear is always on the lookout for opportunities to give back to his community and promote inclusivity and diversity. Follow his journey on Instagram @danbear412.
Master Liquid Rulz
IMsL 2023
Master Liquid Rulz (She/They/Them/That Bitch) is a Black, Queer, Femme Presenting, Social Worker, Presenter, and Educator, who has been a fixture in the Leather/BDSM community for over 25yrs. Liquid is the Co-Founder and CPO of BLX Alternative, VP of Seattle Pacific Northwest Onyx Pearls, the Northeast Advocate for NCSF, and member of LSM. Currently, Master Liquid holds the title of International Ms. Leather 2023,where she continues to use her platform to educate, empower, and amplify voices of marginalized communities.
Ryder
Ryder began his leather journey 3 years ago for DC's monthly pup night. Shortly after, he attended MALW-BB, Maryland Leather, MAL, and CLAW. It was at these events that he truly found his love for bootblacking. He began to study bootblacking with various community bootblacks. He has since bootblacked for his home bar the DC Eagle, the Baltimore Eagle, Mid-Atlantic Leather weekend, CLAW and Mr Connecticut Leather. When he's not at a leather event, he enjoys video games, Japanese superheroes, anime and pretty much everything else nerdy. He is a member of House Aegis, which also consist of his Daddy Tom, and his brothers/sibling Makisupa, Ahren, and Otter. He continues to believe in the two word mantra: Be You!
Willie Tradesman
Mr. North Carolina Triangle Leather
Willie (he/him) hails from the great state of South Carolina but is now a proud resident of North Carolina. He holds the title of former Mr. North Carolina Triangle Leather (2022) and participated as a contestant in IML45. Willie is an enthusiastic member of the Charlotte Tradesmen Leather Levi Club, where he serves as their dedicated Marketing & Communications Officer. He has actively contributed to the community for the past 5 to 6 years, advocating for diversity and championing inclusion for all individuals. Regardless of their affiliation with old guard or new, gender identity, physical appearance, race, ethnicity, creed, or any other characteristic, Willie believes in creating an inclusive environment It is a tremendous honor for Willie to serve as a judge for CLC.
Dolores Dégagé Hopkins (she/her/hers) currently resides in Naugatuck, CT with her fiancé Jennifer Linden. Dolores has worked as a Drag Artist, Photographer and in the Dance world for 40+ years and currently serves as the Director of Ballet for the Joan Lynn Dance Company in Hamden, CT. She first served on the New Haven Pride Center Board in 2013 and 2014 resigning to care for her long time partner Sassie Saltimboca / Drew Mancuso who was lost to cancer in August of 2015. Dolores and Sassie were recipients of a Dorothy Award from the New Haven Pride Center in 2016. "I returned to the board and was honored to become the first Trans Woman Board President in its 25 year history. Currently I remain a board member fully supporting the NHPC new vision & mission to return to its roots as a community center foremost with the goal of creating stability & sustainability for the Center's future." A native of Texas, Dolores has been an LGBTQ+ activist for 45 years and speaks openly about her recent decision to transition at age 60 and continues to advocate and raise awareness for LGBTQIA+ equality. She has also served on the Board of Directors for APNH (A Place to Nurture your Health) previously known as AIDS Project New Haven. Being a client of APNH for many years Dolores is a strong advocate for U=U, HIV awareness, prevention and continued research to find the cure. She is currently an active and proud member of the Imperial Sovereign Court of all Connecticut helping to raise funds for other non-profit organizations that benefit our LGBTQIA+ Community.
JUDGE
Dolores Degage Hopkins
