News - December 20, 2007
Welcome to your monthly dose of News from Mr. International Rubber! There is a lot of news here so read on rubber lovers!
In This Issue
MIR Achieves a New Milestone!?!
It's amazing, but it seems as though MIR2008 vaulted our favorite weekend to a new level of success. We didn't even plan for this one, as we're not very political, but we'll certainly take it!
We can now rightfully count ourselves in the same league as International Mr. Leather and the Folsom Street Fair! After all, IML has the Concerned Women of America, Folsom Street Fair has the Catholic League of America and now MIR has Americans for Truth About Homosexuality! (aka: AFTAH)
Yes, that's right, MIR2008 had it's first official protestors...or rather protestor (singular)... kind of...
Peter LaBarbera, the founder, president and seemingly sole staff person for AFTAH, published his "expose" entitled "Just When You Thought It Couldn't Get any Weirder, International Mr. Rubber Comes To Chicago!" on November 13, 2007.
He is pictured to the left with his head superimposed on a leather straight jacket by blogger Jim Burroway who writes the Box Turtle Bulletin. Burroway created the image for The LaBarbera Award which he bestows upon the person with "the most outrageous, offensive, malevolent, crazy, excessive statement or claim of the week."
We like Burroway's image because it fits our demographic better than LaBarbera in a suit and tie circa 1990. It also seems appropriate now that LaBarbera has certified us as a threat to American morals. We like to think of ourselves as more International than American, thus our name...but we digress.
From reading his article, we assume Mr. LaBarbera was focused on our educational partner, the Center on Halsted, and just stumbled upon MIR2008 in the events calendar. Never fear, there is always next year Peter. Tickets for MIR2009 go on sale in May 2008 during IML weekend, and we know Peter has been to IML before.
On behalf of MIR, we'd like to thank Mr. LaBarbera for all the free publicity he has brought to our little event. The blog-o-sphere is all a buzz that LaBarbera, who is known as "Porno Pete" by those who track his work, has found yet another fetish event to add to his life long passion and yearly travel calendar for all things gay and kinky.
It seems Mr. LaBarbera, who is said to be 45 years old and married with five kids, attends more gay fetish and kink events than many fetish title holders, and he does it all on the donations of his right wing fundamentalist supporters. (Why didn't I think of that one!) He annually leaves his wife and children in the Chicago suburbs to attend Folsom Street Fair, IML and other gay men's kink events around the USA to conduct research into The Homosexual Agenda. (Italics and underline are appropriate here as he is one author of the oft discussed homosexual agenda and has even produced a video all about it!)
He takes hundreds of pictures of the events for his research which he later studies for hours and compiles into photo essays on his website. He publishes a new article almost every other day devoted to exploring homosexuality in America. It's an amazing body of work for a busy Christian, founder, president, husband and father.
Unfortunately, Mr. LaBarbera seems to have flunked Rubber 101. So in keeping with our educational theme, we'd like to point out a few things he missed or got wrong.
First off, as several bloggers have correctly pointed out, our name is "Mr. International Rubber" not "International Mr. Rubber." (It's okay Peter, many of newbies to the rubber scene make this mistake.)
LaBarbera even included our main splash page in his article, with the title of our event clearly listed, and he STILL got it wrong. Perhaps he was distracted during his research by the images of hot men in rubber gear on our main page? I sympathize with you, Peter. As loyal readers here will remember I've done it...the "Instigatir [sic]" blooper earlier this year comes to mind. Hot men in rubber can do that to a guy.
LaBarbera then asks "I'm wondering when the Rubber Pride flag will appear...Fetish historians will be there to document it." Mr. LaBarbera is quite not the researcher he claims or he is still too distracted to Google things before be prints them.
The Rubber Pride Flag was created by Peter Tolos and Scott Moats in 1994 and has been well documented in Tim Brough's excellent book "Skin Tight: Rubbermen, Macho Fetish and Fantasy." (Click on the flag above to purchase the book for your research collection!) Or if you would rather have an image of the rubber flag on a coffee mug, notebook, messenger bag or other nifty item, Google away and you'll find it all over the web.
So here's to you Peter LaBarbera! You brought us to a new level, as only a devoted, right-wing, Christian, straight, married, dad could.
We feel so controversial and naughty!
And thanks again for all of the free publicity! Really...we mean it!
But enough already about Peter and AFTAH. Let's get back to what we do best which is bring you news of rubbery events from around the world!
Official MIR2008 Photos Now Online
Each year MIR Official Photographer Ron Volanti Jr takes pictures of the entire weekend to share on our website. Now our galleries have been updated with images of MIR2008!
Over 100 of the best photos have been assembled on our website showing MIR2008 events including: Opening Ceremonies, the Recon Rubber Sweat Disco, The Rubber Buddies Brunch, The Vendors Market, The Chicago Rubbermen Gear Swap and Closet Sale, The Kink Education Series at the Center on Halsted, the Wet Rubber competition and of course the main event - Mr. International Rubber 2008.
Additional photos were supplied this year by Ruff Stuff, Todd D. and Tim G. Thanks guys!
Photos and Deals on Official MIR2008 Sponsor Sites
As many of you know, our sponsors do an excellent job providing post MIR event coverage each year.
We would be remiss is we didn't point out the amazing job that Rubberzone.com has done this year in assembling a comprehensive Rubbermen Issue devoted to MIR2008.
Issue 19.5 includes 340 images and 12 video clips from MIR2008. (Not to be missed is the educational ASL session provided by Sister Erotica Psychotica and our interpreter Brooke!) Membership is required to view the issue, but you get so much more as a member of this online community. Discussion forums, gear sale boards, event listings, original stories, thousands of original photos, product reviews, and the list goes on and on! Visit Rubberzone.com and check out Issue 19.5 today!
Over on RECON Events you'll find another 43 images from the RECON Rubber Sweat Disco. An additional gallery is in the works with even more images from MIR2008! Click on the events tab and then look for MIR2008!
Finally, several of our vendors have launched new websites based on their success from MIR and we wanted to make sure that you knew about them as well to thank them for their support and for bringing all the great gear to MIR2008. (Check out the sales just in time for the holidays!)
Kinky King Latex has launched the beta version of their site where you can find more info about their gear. The sleep sack looks mighty nice to me!
Genius Fetish has launched their website where you can buy a variety of products. Check out the indie mag "When Johnny Comes Marching Home."
The Latex Store has re-vamped their mens site and they are having a holiday sale as well! Check out the great bargains for someone you love...or would love to get into rubber!
Stephane is Mr. Rubber Montreal 2008!
The Mr. Rubber Montreal contest was held on November 17, 2007 at the Aigle Noir Bar in Montreal.
MIR2008 Brian Turgeon was on hand to help select his successor from a field of four men, and the winner is Stephane Donaldson!
Stephane is the marketing director for Priape, one of Montreal's premiere gay stores, where he also runs the fetish division of the stores. He has been both the President and Vice President of of the Montreal club MC Faucon.
We look wish Stephane the best of luck in his title year. (You've got some big shoes to fill now that Brian has brought the title home to Canada!)
Who Will Be Mr. RubClub 2008?
RubClub is preparing for their annual contest. Chris Petry will step-down as the fourth man to wear the sash and the audience will select the Mr. RubClub 2008 on December 29, 2007.
This year the Mr. RubClub contest has moved to Karlsruhe which is conveniently located in the middle of Europe near the boarder of France, in the Baden-Wurttemburg region.
They've also moved the date of the event to New Year's weekend from the day after Christmas.
We understand Chris will go on to compete at Mr. Euro Rubber this year and if he is successful there, may compete at MIR2009 in hopes of being the 4th German to claim the title in 12 years!
RubClub has branched out their operations in the past year and is now holding events in Berlin, Karlsruhe and Frankfurt in Germay and Liege in Belgium. In addition, they host an astonishing 4 rubber contests each year including Mr. RubClub, Mr. Full Rubber, Mr. Euro Rubber and the recently created Mr. RubBear.
So, if you are still looking for something to do over New Year's Weekend, grab the next flight to Germany and help elect Mr. RubClub 2008!
M.E.C. Hosts the Rubber Weekend Paris 2008.
Mecs En Caoutchouc hosts the Rubber Weekend Paris from February 22-24, 2008.
The weekend will include a rubber night on Friday the 22nd at TX Bar, a Rubber Party at the Full Metal Bar on Saturday Night, and an Afternoon Rubber Event on Sunday at Transfert.
MEC is the only rubber club in France and attracts horny men from all over Europe to the French capital for their events. This certainly will be a great weekend for all who attend
MIR2008 On The Move!
MIR2008 Brian Turgeon is busy planning his travels for 2008. One of his first tasks was to select his successor as Mr. Rubber Montreal, as we mentioned above!
Brian is planning trips around North America and Europe this year, so you're sure to see him someplace this soon.
Additionally, new this year, Brian will soon be blogging about his year as MIR2008 on MIRubber.com! You'll be able to read first hand accounts of his travels and adventures!
Here's are a few preliminary locations where you'll see Brian in the coming months!
The International Rubber Calendar
Here is a listing of the rubber events & events with strong rubber followings happening around the world through the end of the year and beyond. Get geared up, grab some lube and make some new friends around the globe!
(NEW) = New event listed as of this issue (does not apply to ongoing monthly or bi-monthly events which have been listed previously)
2007 Events
12/15 : Los Angeles - L.A. Eagle Rubout
12/15 : Berlin - Rubclub Berlin
12/29 : Karlsruhe - Mr. Rubclub 2008 Contest
2008 Events
1/6 : Frankfurt - Rubclub Frankfurt
1/13 : London - Gummi
1/18-21 : Washginton DC - Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend
1/19: Los Angeles - L.A. Eagle Rubout
1/19 : Berlin - Rubclub Berlin
1/20 : Paris - M.E.C. Latex Meeting
1/26 : Karlsruhe - Rubclub Karlsruhe
1/30- 2/2 : Berlin - Berlin International Rubber Week
2/2 : Amsterdam - RSG Party
2/8-10 : Palm Springs - West Coast Rubber Winter Warm Up
2/10 : London - Gummi
2/16 : Los Angeles - L.A. Eagle Rubout
2/16 : Berlin - Rubclub Berlin
2/16 : Liege - Rubclub Liege Belgium
2/22-24 : Paris - M.E.C. Rubber Weekend France
3/2 : Frankfurt : Rubclub Frankfurt
3/15 : Los Angeles - L.A. Eagle Rubbout
3/15 : Berlin - Rubclub Berlin
3/20-25 : Berlin - BLF Easter Weekend
3/29 : Paris - Mr. M.E.C. Rubber France 2008 - NEW
4/5 : Amsterdam - RSG Party
4/8-13 : Vancouver - Rubbout 16
4/19 : Los Angeles - L.A. Eagle Rubbout
4/27 : Paris - M.E.C. Rubber Afternoon
5/9-11: Pocono Mountains - C.O.R.E. Rubber Retreat
5/22-26 : Chicago - International Mr. Leather 30
Have an event to add to the International Rubber Calendar? Send us an email including all the pertinant information and we'll do our best to include it!
Thanks to all!
It takes an small rubbery army to make MIR come together each year. We publish their names in the weekend program but as we reflect upon the holidays and the coming New Year we're going to take some space to acknowledge the many individuals and companies who made MIR2008 a possibility. We'd like to thank each and everyone with big rubbery e-hugs of appreciation and gratitude for a job well done!
Contest and Weekend Owner
Frank Blondale
Contest Emcee
Eddie Hibbs, aka: Sister Erotica Psychotica, the Avant Guardian of the Nasty Habit
ASL Interpretation
Brooke MacNamara
MIR2007
Maurizio Iaconne
Contest Judges
Tober Brandt
Joe "Nipper" Klein
Christopher Maher
Craig Rich
Rick Storer
Contestants
Xavier, Brian, Kai, Duncan, Christopher
Tally Masters
Todd Davidson
Chuck Windemuth
Contestant Wrangler
Phil Redmon
Kink Education Series Presenters
Frank Blondale
Chicago Leather Kennel Club
Bob "Squirm" Richadson
Riley Johnson
The LA&M Road Show Team
Antoin Straichen
Adrian Williams
Chuck Windemuth
MIR Official Photographer
Ron J. Volanti Jr.
MIR Additional Photographers
Ruff Stuff, Todd D. & Tim G
Graphic Design
Supergurl Images
Web Design
Evanrude
MIR2008 Posterboys
Chad, Tim & Greg
IML 2007 Booth Volunteers
Brad, Brian, Christopher, Craig, Dan, Dave, Dontay, Eric, Fraser, Gary, George, Mark, Matthew, Mitch, Neil, Robert & Tim
Cell Block Management
Herb Bell & Dan Majewski
Cell Block Staff
Chris, Dale, Edgar, Jeff, Jimbo, John, Johnny, Mark, Michael, Mikey, Riley & Thomas
Center on Halsted Hosts
Modesto & C.C.
Circuit Hosts
Michael & Patrick
Kit Kat Hosts
Cami & Felipe
Steamworks Hosts
Brian, John & Richard
Prize Package Donors
Cell Block Chicago
Instigator Magazine
International Mr. Leather
Invincible Rubber
Mr. S
Recon
Rubberdawg
RubberZone
Rubbout 17
Steamworks
Vex Clothing
Weekend Sponsors
Effen Vodka
Invincible Rubber
RECON
RubberZone.com
Steamworks
The Chicago Rubbermen
Vendors
Genius Fetish
Kinky King Latex
RECON Store
RubberZone.com
The Latex Store
Tim G. - The Chicago Rubbermen Gear Swap and Closet Sale Coordinator
Media Partner
Instigator Magazine
Educational Partner
Center on Halsted
Host Hotels
Best Western Hawthorne Terrace
Days Inn Lincoln Park
And of course each and every weekend attendee who supported the event, and the readers of this email who wanted to but could not attend this year.
It's entirely possible that we missed someone in this list and for that we are greatly sorry. Please know that we thank each and every one of you for your support and for making MIR such a great and rubbery event each year.
Best wishes for the New Year from Mr. International Rubber!In sweat, slime and shine,
William "Rubberwilli" Schendel
Weekend Coordinator
Mr. International Rubber
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