IML 2010 Winner Breaks Barriers and Makes History

[puddlepuppy82]

Congrats for being true to yourself and others. We could AlL learn more than a few things from you.

[JasielMartin92]

I Wonder Of all of those people are Transman

[BootyFister]

Wtf?

[Discoboy504]

I used to enjoy being a part of the "leather community" back before the PC Police took it over. Since then if a guy made any comment about any thoughts or feeling he had that were not on the "approved" PC List he was made to feel like he was wrong for feeling that way. I for one feel that "inclusion" has its limits. I also respect the spaces of certain groups that I do not fit into, and I do not go to them and "demand" I be let in. I understand them. I do much better on my own now.

[tifo316]

@Discoboy504 Get over yourself.

[kaleok]

Interesting to watch this video and read the comments. He's talks and embodies empowering people to be who they are and what they want to be, including tranforming their bodies. moving beyond artificial limitations. sounds like freedom to me. I'm sure he got tons of grief for both being disabled and transitioning. I find him inspirational and courageous, a great example of a life lived beyond expectations.

[stuwba68]

load of shit yet again from third rail media

[wbworkout]

I was there! Amazing Moment....

[TGLee58]

Tyler you rock - really enjoyed the video. lm also disabled & TG - keep up the good work

x

[MsVivienrose]

Probably not;I know of two dedicated body building trans men who although masculine and well built are'nt 100% convincing.Their hips in speedos are not narrow enough to look like men and their shoulders arent quit wide enough. It's really rare to see a transman look like the real deal;there are too many components such as height, hands, feet, and even the shape of the head. A transman may win a gay leather contest but I hardly doubt this would occur in a legit all compassing male leather contest

[PhillyH20boi]

Interesting article that seemed ahead of its time. Good points on both sides.

“…a trans man who remained stealth and therefore free from discrimination might actually win a prominent leather title, and may already have. Part of the fear of allowing transgenders to compete...is not that a trans man doesn't have what it takes but that he does.”

From ebar.com Issue: Vol. 36 / No. 5 / 2 February 2006

[quenwolf]

Guys, my cousin is currently Tyler's fiancee, and I'm very surprised at all the hurtful comments you guys are putting on here. So what if he's a FTM trans? I thought most of the people who supported these events would be more open-minded, but apparently not.

[cldrib]

It is very curious that many ppl into diversity matters can be not happy with a such result in a IML event. Better, they can be uncomfortable in front of an original state of being. It shows us provincial mind full of bias. We are all beings about to manifest ourselves using what social environment offers as tools.The originality is to make it different with these tools to get a state of happiness with it. There are jealous ppl who seem not to bear in mind that one unique guy got it. Congrats!!

[aussieladify]

Hilarious... Not surprised one bit- yankee women are notorious for constituting most of the Pervs on this planet. What with the export of Lezbo porn & and reality shows consisting of bi-sluts, you aint gonna see this anywhere else in the world. who'd ever imagine the next IML would be a women with her tits cut off and in a wheel chair...Funny as hell and somewhat disturbing to say the least :)

[burtonboy67]

fabulous.......

[Aprinsa]

Sorry, but I don't celebrate leather, a.k.a. the fetishization of animal slaughter.

[furvert101]

@Aprinsa no one fetishes over the slaughter of animals by wearing leather. when you say that, your implying that all leather men are jerking off the the idea that animals are being killed for fashion. get a life, asshole. you have it completely misunderstood. and what about yourself, being a vegan and everything, you must have some sort of sick fetish of the genocide of billions of living organisms we know as plants. they have feelings too. trees communicate with scent, and pheromones. move on.

[Aprinsa]

@furvert101 Wow, you have a lot to say for someone who doesn't know anything. "Asshole" - are you saying I am some kind of donkey? That's cool - I like donkeys more than I like you. At least they recognize the different between a blade of grass and an ass. P.S. I have a life, it's called kindness. Ever heard of it? Apparently: You clearly believe that to chop off animals' paws and skin them alive is the equivalent of chopping down a tree. Wait, no you don't, you're just making shit up. Surprise.

[furvert101]

@Aprinsa hahaha!!! thanks for that. i needed a laugh today... btw, i believe that the killing of animals is cruel and in humane. i am myself a vegetarian, and an animal rights activist. the reason i said what i said was to prove how ridiculous you make yourself sound when you say that by wearing leather that makes you a fetishist of the slaughter of animals. i mean really? thats like saying a person who wears lipstick masturbates to the killing of whales for their oil. its a ignorant assumption.

[Makewood]

Wow, this is way over the top. So much for the leather fantasy man? The idea of a man with a vagina somehow doesn't fit in. Interestingly, if it were a MTF in a lesbian environment, she would never be accepted. Gay guys are typically very accepting and considerate. Sometimes tokenism has its place.

[StellaOmega]

absolutely awesome, congratulations dude!

[persianjockkk]

@msvivienrose thanks for the support. I have nothing against transgender people and from what I saw, it seems the winner of IML is a likeable person.Just like you I had some misunderstanding of the criteria for winning; I guess this clip answered that question...

[persianjockkk]

@gamerguy666xxx you certainly have the right to think your "more of a man",but wishful thinking and having a support group that says nice stuff to you is'nt going to change the fact of the reality that exists outside the bubble you live in.If you were so secure you would'nt be going through such trouble to defend yourself by making sly and twisted remarks.Transgender people deserve the same respect as other human beings but only in retrospect on how they treat others.gamerguy666xxx=Menstrua­tion

[MsVivienrose]

@persianjockkk totally agree, I entered a womensdivision S/M contest and had a transexual female friend of mine enteer with me. she won the contest as an outcome and I kinda felt betrayed?! she passes as female and I would not tell anyone her secret. That is why contests have rules and regulations, it can be a disadvantage to stick a boy in a girl contest and vice versa. The YT video kind of appears llike the judges picked Tyler cause they felt sorry for him, an advantage?

[gamerguy666xxx]

Tyler is welcomed warmly by people who really and truly support community. Not just SEX. 

[persianjockkk]

@gamerguy666xxx I get the impression that the synthetic "T" you are taking is'nt meshing really well with your female sarcasm;save the queeny drama for something more important- such as your strap-on falling apart!I have nothing against the winner of this competition but rather the criteria & rules that surround this contest.What is it going to be next, a transgender male to female winning IFL?You won't see this in a Miss or MR. Universe competition.Whether I am wrong or right this is my opinion

[gamerguy666xxx]

@persianjockkk not synthetic. actual testosterone. :D Im not even going to waste my time with you. It's 100% clear you are undereducated and over proud of yourself. You have a wonderful life in ignorance's bliss. :p Either way I am still more man than you will ever be. Agree or not.

[gamerguy666xxx]

@persianjockkk and you are wrong. there has been many t-girls in many of those contests. what you missed is you didnt know. Yes it is your OPINION and that is why its not fact and nobody really cares :p Yes my sarcasm is awesome and I don't care what you say. I'm definately NOT queeny. I'm real. Seems like you're a bit insecure. Actually...VERY insecure.

[gamerguy666xxx]

@persianjockkk statistically about 15 to 20% of the worlds populous is a form of transgendered or intersexed. So for all you know, the people you may know in person or see walking by are one of us. But I bet that feeds your transphobic paranoia. doesnt it?

[gamerguy666xxx]

Gender is in your heart mind and soul. Not your pants. Period. We love you Tyler and if IML truly is keeping you from future events....FUCK them and their band of catty leather queens and muscle marys

[givenchyize]

@gamerguy666xxx Gender is in your heart, mind and soul? Not in your pants? What? Have you created your own new religion, complete with steeple representing the phallus (fake) you crave. You can not possibly understand what it is to be male because you weren't socialized that way. You only see illusion, next time you douche your self loathing twat, please....think of me.

[gamerguy666xxx]

@givenchyize oh and by the way my cock is still bigger than yours...and its not attatched to me. if you disagree i can change that with 35 dollars and an adult store. LOL does that enrage you further? lol..

[persianjockkk]

Is this contest for Gay leather men? Was the "winner' gay, straight, bi? Why don't they establish a transgender IML? it's confusing for new people in the gay scene to know what is what. Watching videos of past IML competitions I've seen a trend for which handsome, articulate, masculine men are replaced by dilapidated and unhealthy looking men who don't come across strong in there speeches. I personally would'nt waste my time attending such events, I'm not impressed or inspired from what I see :(

[gamerguy666xxx]

@persianjockkk Because establishing that takes away from our GENDER. most of us dont identify as transgendered. we identify as male. how can you call yourself leather and attempt to uphold its core values with such an ignorant mind?

[JaysOCD4ME]

Tyler YOU ROCK!!!! Your speech moved me!! I can't wait until you visit SF :)

[JaysOCD4ME]

@givenchyize - did you really just write this??  This is horrible.

[jcac1023]

@givenchyize I don't see that. I mean think about, not transitioning and matching who you are inside ISN'T accepting yourself. It's like saying someone who is trans and doesn't transition just because they wrorry about what other people think ISN'T accepting yourself. I know what I am. A Transman. Not transitioning and keep who I truly was on the inside is NOT accepting myself. I accept the fact I have to put test in my body. I accept the fact that I had my breast removed. I've always known who

[jcac1023]

@jcac1023 I was. It took me a long time to accept the fact that just because I am not BIOLOGICALLY male, I am on the inside. It's sad that the LGBT makes a big deal out of it. This talk divides our community, rather than holds us all up together against homphobes/transphobes. I AM happy for who I am and I have NO regrets. You said "gay liberation is that you should accept yourself as you are, and be accepted for what you are", but the sad reality is, SOME gay bio-men are hypocrites because you

[jcac1023]

@jcac1023 don't bother to accept the differences of others. He knows who he is and accepts it. A man who happens to be trans. I just wonder if there was a bad experience to make you dislike transmen.

[jdk946]

@givenchyize He is accepting who he is, that is the entire point. You are basically saying that a peson's body is who they are and not their mind. Making such comments when you do not know what it is like to be him is as stupid as straight people that claim that being gay is a choice. Why don't you just dictate to everyone who they are, who they may love and what they may do with their body?

[givenchyize]

@jdk946 No, cutting off your tits, pumping hormones into your body, and ignoring your gender is NOT accepting who you are. What is also interesting, is why would this person enter a gay mens leather contest??? Perhaps, to illustrate "her' ongoing power-struggle she has going on inside her. It's similar to Buck Angel doing gay male porn. She is a lesbian, turned transman, and now must fullfill her conquest by doing something exclusively all male: gay male porn.

[tifo316]

@givenchyize Judging by your comment history you seem to have an obsession with trans people.

[gamerguy666xxx]

its about time we transmen got some credit in the leather community. fuck what the catty slut queens think. gender isnt in your pants. its in your head and heart

[givenchyize]

@gamerguy666xxx Gender is most definetly in your pants, you fucking freak! This goes against everything the gay community has stood for. Gay liberation is about excepting who you are! Not trying to change yourself to what society wants. Dykes wear mens clothes, and live as they please. This person is living a lie!

[gamerguy666xxx]

@givenchyize lol is that supposed to hurt my feelings? it makes me laugh. you obviously have a lot of free time to surf the boards and comment on EACH user here to insult them. how long did that take you? 4, 5, 6 hours?

[gamerguy666xxx]

@givenchyize He is not living a lie. He is living a dream and as am I. Whats funny is we get better women, lives, and jobs than you do. Say what you like thats the beauty of freedom of speech. Enjoy that right. We will too. We do live as we please. As this is America. Home of the free. And my women say my being a freak is a great thing. so thank you ;) by the way, lesbians think the word dyke is empowering. you're not offending anyone

[givenchyize]

@gamerguy666xxx Keep living a lie, you can stuff your pants all you want, but eventually you'll have to go home, and look in the mirror, then the truth comes out, along with your fake plastic cock you've grown so attached to. Discrimination against you folks is still legal, and for those who's secret is discovered it may only be a matter of time before you become the next victim. The whole meaning of gay liberation is to love yourself as you are...not try to change yourself to be something ur nt

[gamerguy666xxx]

@givenchyize and seems to me you have a lot of asshole in your mind and a lot of shit in your mouth when you speak? ah i love you ignorant folk. you cant even teach yourselves to brush your teeth before you try to talk shit. :D keep eating shit for breakfast buddy...its def showing your true colors :D

[givenchyize]

@gamerguy666xxx You are the true asshole. If you honestly believe the majority of male supporters of IML will accept this FTM, then your enjoy the illusion, And so much for freedom of speech when the only messages we see are the disgusting gamerguy666xxx messages from you. That is not balanced, and it certainly does not reflect the majority.

[lino501]

Without wishing to be a party pooper, does this mean that a wheelchair-reliant man to female transgender could be the next Miss Universe?

[Bonobo3D]

Wow just wow! Deeply moving to see and hear the passion and bravery of this man. Great to know that history has been made at IML this year. Feels like progress. Beautiful to hear Tyler's acknowledgment to Billy Lane. Congratulations Tyler!

[gag75]

Thats so awesome! ;_; Way to go man, hes an inspiration to us all.

[coiledmetal]

Good on you mate!

[ArtistTyrant]

this is just silly

[nursecracker]

sad I missed it...I think this is amazing xoxo nurse who hasnt been back since 2002 dammit!

[NotoriousImp]

Fantastic! Congratulations Tyler.

[OnyxRavyn]

Thank you ThirdRailMediaUS for posting this! Tyler is an amazing Leatherman who epitomizes living with integrity. Tyler is an inspiration.

[DirtyBlaQboi]

Thank you Third Rail Media for capturing AND sharing such a wonderful piece of truly pivotal leather history.

I am so sorry that I missed this history making IML. Congratulations Tyler!! Your hard work has paid off. I wish you well on your continued journey. Know that you are loved and supported by many far and wide. I look forward to meeting you in the near future.

In leather and love,

~Q

IMsBB 2008

[TimSTL]

Amazing! I'm so proud for him!!! As far as I'm concerned, he is always welcome, with open arms, here in St. Louis.

[joestub]

he is adorable and always welcome in Chicago!

[TimSTL]

@joestub What's your definition of real? A dick? Trust me, that isn't a requirement. As a biological male, and a fellow queer, a dick don't make a man.

[dibeherder]

woot! woot! We <3 u, Ty-Ty!

[Fenwyck]

wow, I am so impressed with this guy. What a gem!

[thorceltic]

California Loves and Supports you, way to go so proud of you...So impressed with your story!

[ThirdRailMediaUS]

I've heard concern in post-IML Chicago that Tyler may face discrimination and not be invited to events in some regions that have hosted IML titleholders in the past.

Inclusion is the value which guides IML and is voiced frequently by it's founder, Chuck Renslow. If regional contests aspire to send contestants to IML, they should look into their hearts and ask if they are embracing the values of the ultimate title they seek, International Mr. Leather.

I hope Tyler is welcomed warmly by all.

[sfwarren]

Wow! What an amazing and important moment in leather history!  Congratulations Tyler! You have made so many so proud! I look forward to meeting you during your title year! They can't take it away from you!

[benjamin1236211]

Congratulations Tyler. You are a beautiful man and will represent well the Leather Commiunity around the World.

[sye092899]

CONGRATS LG, way to be true to yourself!

[soberdoggy]

WOW. I'm inspired by this guy, that is so cool

[BentXY]

Soooo incredibly proud of Tyler! This video brought tears to my eyes.

[engrishlessons101]

A big congratulations. Very touching words; such a wonderful articulation of the good and positivity that can be found in the community, the world.

[mlmweinert]

Amazing! Congratulations, Tyler! You're an inspiration and trailblazer for trans, gender non-conforming and disabled folks in leather. Thank you!