Singer Edd, from New York City and Cherry Grove, New York, bested three other contenders for the Mr. Fire Island Leather 2015 title, in his second year competing, at the 15th annual Mr. FI Leather contest, held this year, for the first time, at Island Breeze restaurant, on May 16. The runner-up was Jonathan, from Boston, Massachusetts, and a shareholder in Fire Island Pines, and remaining contestants were another Jonathan, from Long Beach, Long Island, and the Long Island Ravens’ Michael, from Selden, who also made impressive showings.
The contest took place during New York’s Excelsior Motorcycle Club and Connecticut’s Twilight Guard’s run “Cherry Grove 20/40,” celebrating the 40th anniversary of the former, helmed by President Victor Skolnik and Vice-President Gabriel Rivas, and 20th of the latter, guided by President Sanford “Sandy” Steever and Vice-President Sean Campbell, from May 15 to 17. Belvedere Guest House for Men served as host hotel for the run, with many attendees, 77 Leathermen and one Leatherwoman, quartered at Dune Point and Horizon Beach House, in the absence of the Grove Hotel, devastated by fire on March 27.
Singer Porsche and Island Breeze Manager John Doyle co-hosted the contest and previous evening’s benefit Master-and-slave auction, with proceeds of $500 from the latter slated for donation to the Cherry Grove volunteer Fire Department, to assist in purchasing a much-needed new fire truck. Both nights’ events took place at the restaurant, as the hotel’s Ice Palace disco, their customary venue, was not expected to be available, though not damaged by the fire. DJ RDK, Richard Kennedy, was responsible for music and sound, replacing previously-announced DJ Chuck McTague.
Judging the contest were custom leatherwear designer David Samuel Menkes, who has made sashes and vests for winners since the contest’s inception, and former Messrs. FI Leather 2001—the first—this writer; 2004 “East Village Stud” Jeff Goodman; 2007 Diego Vargas; 2011 Danny Logan; 2012 Mark Nayden; 2013 Candido Soares; and 2014 Victor Skolnik. Wendy Lewis served as tally judge.
Competitors were judged on appearance and preparedness in dress leather, for an interview segment; jockstraps, for a Q & A; and fantasy wear, for narrating or acting out a scene, set in the woods, or Meat Rack, between the Grove and the Pines. Edd, in jock, chaps, vest, harness, and armbands, said of Fire Island, “I love this place,” calling it “so welcoming;” commented on the “camaraderie and warmth of the people; and wove a fantasy of meeting a hot cub, adept at kissing, sucking, and accepting insertion of a butt plug, in the woods. Jonathan, in his sixth year here, described Fire Island as “an amazing place;” in jock and chaps, spoke of his contributions to AIDS Walk Boston and Boston Living Center, for people living with AIDS and HIV; and announcing, “I’m a bit of a pig and not ashamed of it,” limned a scene in which his Master tied him to a tree in the Meat Rack and invited men to fuck him. Jonathan, from Long Beach, was assisted in his scene by his partner Justin, at his feet.
Providing entertainment, between parts of the contest, were Porsche, singing “I Will Survive” and other songs, and yours truly, singing “I’m Still Here,” from “Follies.”
Preceding the Master-and-slave auction was a parade of colors of the clubs in attendance, which were Bay State Marauders, from Massachusetts; Bucks MC, Pennsmen, and Philadelphians MC, from Pennsylvania; Centaur MC and DC Bears Club, from Washington, D.C.; Empire City MC, Iron Guard BC, Long Island Ravens, and New York Pups and Panhandlers, from New York; Harbor Masters, from Maine; and Shipmates Club of Baltimore, from Maryland, as well as hosting clubs Excelsior and Twilight Guard.
Porsche sang “Sexual Revolution,” to kick off the auction. Audience members bought “Daddy dollars,” with one American dollar equivalent to $100 in Daddy dollars, in order to bid on and purchase their choices of Boston bottom Jonathan and versatile Roy, sold to me for $2,400 and $4,200 respectively; muscular slave/bottom/versatile Bruce, from North Fork LI, to Victor for $4,200; Denver’s Brian, new at Belvedere, for a record $8,000, to Messrs. FI Leather Candido and Mark, who, in turn, were sold for $3,000, to Jay, who also bought a naked JD Phoenix, from Albany NY, for $5,000; Maine’s Jim, for $3,600, and Mitch and Rich, for $10,000, to the Pennsmen’s Jo Ann; Boston bondage top Eric, who cuddles, to George for $4,000; and Island Breeze’s Corey, to the Ravens’ Michael, for $4,000, Matty, to one of the Harbor Masters, for $6,000, and John Doyle, along with Mr. Eagle NYC 2011 CB Kirby, for $4,800.
The 178th meeting of AMCC (Atlantic Motorcycle Coordinating Council) delegates took place at Belvedere on May 16. The run ended with an Awards brunch at Island Breeze on May 17. Attendees also enjoyed food from Floyd’s restaurant, Grove Market, and Sweet Licks ice cream parlor during the weekend.
Excelsior MC’s 2016 Lust for Life run, entitled “The Island of Misfit Boys” and subtitled “‘The Lord of the Flies’ meets ‘The Boys in the Band,’” will take place from May 20 to 22, and Belvedere is again the host hotel.