A Reflection by Eric Gangloff
Eric Gangloff became the most recent Life Brother Emeritus of the club in October 2024.
I once asked my late husband, Kalel, how he reconciled doing drag with being a leather titleholder. His response, though I can't recall the exact words, was essentially that a leather person looks inward to define right and wrong, independent of external judgment. That idea—self-reliance and inner strength—has resonates with me as a core value of leather identity.
At the 2019 International Mister Leather (IML) contest, Jack Thompson’s declaration, "I am enough!" resonated even more powerfully. The audience erupted in an electrifying moment. Jack won that day, and his declaration solidified another core aspect of the leatherman for me: unwavering self-assurance.
Stampede 2002. From Left to Right: Vlad, Angus, and Eric.
My own journey into leather took an unconventional path. A rodeo enthusiast, I moved to my farm to be with my horses. Though my horses are long gone, I still cherish my life here. In 2001, after hosting the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association (ASGRA) rodeo and competing myself, I found myself craving something more that Labor Day weekend. Dressed in full rodeo gear, I headed to the DC Eagle. I went up to the second floor and sat at the bar. The bar was quiet, so I struck up a conversation with a large stuffed teddy bear in full bondage gear sitting in front of me. Vlad, his Master, responded. We began a conversation, and the long and short of it is that we became life partners for the next six years. Angus, the bound teddy bear, became part of our lives.
Vlad, a member of the Highwaymen TNT, introduced me to the club, where I found strong bonds of respect and fellowship. I joined in 2005, drawn to that camaraderie. Of the countless events we attended, the Highwaymen TNT's annual cocktail party at the Teddy Bear Leather Club in southern Virginia was my favorite. Vlad first took me in 2002, and I've attended every year since. After his passing in 2007, I even hosted the party in his memory. TBLC's laid-back atmosphere remains unmatched in my experience.
“18 years after Vlad died, Angus still has his place in my home.”
Kalel wasn't just a leader in Baltimore's leather community.
Kalel demonstrating his skills as an expert bondage practicioner through Shibari, the Japanese art of rope bondage, at IML.
Kalel was a prominent figure in Baltimore’s drag scene as well.
Kalel performing ‘Desde la Oscuridad (Coming out of the Dark)’ by Gloria Estephan in a 2014 Drag Show.
In 2008, I met Kalel (then known as Derick). We married in 2013, though we opted for a quick courthouse ceremony instead of our planned leather-themed wedding. It was a joyous occasion nonetheless. Kalel, a prominent figure in Baltimore's leather and drag scenes, expanded my understanding of the leather world. He introduced me to countless friends and took me to my first IML in 2008, an event that became an annual highlight.
My indirect path into leather initially left me feeling like an outsider. However, the friendships I've made at IML and beyond have fostered a deep sense of belonging within this community.
Eric’s favorite photo from IML 2024
Throwback to the electric atmosphere of the IML 2024 opening ceremonies! This photo captures the moment the contestants were introduced. I remember striking up a conversation with the gentleman next to me (in the wheelchair). We talked about the contestants and the excitement of the weekend. We never exchanged names, but the conversation was fantastic. It's those chance encounters that make these events so memorable.
Losing our Foundation: Remembering the Heart of Leather
The network of clubs worldwide forms the very foundation of the leather community, providing authentic connections to local scenes and fostering a sense of belonging. IML itself relies heavily on these clubs, using them to identify and vet potential contestants. Therefore, IML's decision to first replace the Parade of Colors, a vibrant celebration of these vital hubs, with mere projected club colors, and then to abandon even that gesture, is deeply troubling.
This diminishing visibility signals a troubling shift: IML no longer appears to recognize clubs as the bedrock of the community. The Parade of Colors was more than just a spectacle; it was a powerful symbol of unity and a testament to the clubs' dedication to the leather lifestyle. Its loss, and the subsequent reduction in club visibility, suggests a disconnect between IML's priorities and the core values of the community it represents, potentially weakening the very foundation upon which it stands.
Clubs face growing challenges, from the rise of social media to an aging membership. We need to find ways to support and revitalize them, not diminish their role. Reinvention is crucial in a constantly evolving world.
