Pusckatt Pumera ONYX (he, him, his), Mr. International Rubber, is a Floridian who slipped into the Shiny Rubber Community in 2019. Pusckatt identifies as a proud Rubberist and artist of gender expression. Pusckatt has grabbed the kink community of Southern Florida and soon the world by the balls and utilizes every moment to engage people on the topic of rubber.

Pusckatt, is the President of ONYX Deep South, a regional chapter of The Men of ONYX. He also holds the title of Mr. Florida Rubber 2022, is a Board Member of Ujima Men’s Collective, and an active member of Stonewall Knights.

Pusckatt is passionate about building and giving back to the community. His community involvement is extensive both in and out of the kink/fetish community. A few highlights are as follows:
1.) Delivering more than 675 toiletry /snack bags to the homeless populations across southern and central Florida, positively impacting those in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville.
2.) Created a monthly education series with presenters from all over the United States focusing on topics ranging from types of Kinks Play to Kink Safety.
3.) Volunteered at MIR for the first time in 2021 building relationships that continue to shape his kink journey.
4.) Utilized his talents, knowledge, and connections as an active member of the LGBTQI+ community linking people to culturally appropriate social services and healthcare.
5.) Co-hosted a fundraiser for local nonprofits raising 5k dollars to assist with services for the LGBTQI+ community.
6.) Created a suit drive for a local non-profit agency to assist clients with interview clothing for a successful reentry into the employment force.
7.) Volunteer’s with BTAN (Black Treatment Advocate Network) with outreach for communities of color around HIV and mental health services.
8.) Volunteer’s with Ujima Men's collective providing HIV testing and safer sex education.
9.) Co-founded MPAC Black support group to provide a safe place for men of color to have an open discussion, receive health education, and navigate everyday life.
10.) Volunteers with The Smart Ride for over seven years raising funds for non-profits around the state of Florida to provide adequate client services.
11.) He is a fierce ally and supporter of the Trans community and volunteers at events and rallies.

Pusckatt has visited rubber clubs and participated in events around the United States, with plans to travel abroad in the near future. He has successfully created safe spaces for BIPOC Rubberist to come together and fellowship with hopes of increasing community engagement and deepening the sense of community for all.

Pusckatt, is Thankful for the endless love and support of his amazing Husband Vision Onyx.
Outside of the Kink/Fetish community, you can find Pusckatt riding his Harley Davidson exploring new roads, cruising familiar highways, and developing friendships along the way. Pusckatt also enjoys traveling, art and exploring new things.

During Pusckatt’s title year he looks forward to continuing the work of creating safe spaces for the BIPOC community and all Rubber enthusiasts. Continue to proudly express his love for our Rubber community through memorable connections and having fun. He will continue to encourage others, one by one, to explore the slippery fun that latex can offer.

Moto: StandOUT- Owning and Embracing your Power!

Joe “Chicago Rubber” (They/Them, He/Him) is a chicagoan who first started exploring their kinky side in 2016 when they tried on their first piece of latex. It was a fetish that Joe didn’t think they’d be into at first, but they were instantly attracted to the way rubber felt and looked.  It was love at first lube, and since then they’ve become increasingly involved with their local rubber club (Chicago Rubber Club).

Joe is passionate about building community, and currently sits on the leadership committee for the Chicago Rubber Club. Joe helped coordinate and implement the re-branding from Chicago Rubbermen to Chicago Rubber Club to be more inclusive of all their members.

Joe believes that the future of the rubber community is one that’s radically inclusive of kinky queers of all types.

Check out their website for more information on their travel, or resources to help your club become more inclusive. www.mirubber25.com

Outside of the fetish community Joe loves architecture, history, and travel.

Web: mirubber25.com
Insta: @chicagorubber
Twitter: @chicagorubber 

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, no contest was held during MIR24 in November of 2020.  As such, no new Mr. International Rubber was selected. The photo used here is of the face masks that were made to commemorate this year's event, a global digital event entitled "RubberLab".  MIR23 - Adalberto agreed to continue to hold the title an additional year, and his successor will be selected at MIR25.

Adalberto (he/him, she/her) was born in Italy and explored his kinky interests after he moved to The Netherlands after the studies. First for about ten years in the leather scene, until he embraces latex around 2017 and jumped deep into the rubber scene. 

He became Mr Rubber Netherlands 2019 and won the Mr International 23 title in November 2019 in the largest competition to date with 16 contestants. What a fun weekend MIR23 was! Adalberto served some “gender-bending rubber eleganza” on stage with his Billy Porter inspired gown and heels, and he included some vogueing in his performance on stage, as a tribute to the ballroom communities and their radical inclusiveness.

Adalberto loves the sexy feel, look and smell of tight shiny rubber as much as the good vibes of our communities: the warmth and support, the relaxed attitude, the colours, the diversity of rubber styles: from skinhead to gimp, from uniforms to rubber dolls, and so many more! And the fun we can create together. He mostly flags red, blue and light blue, but he is open to more shades of the hanky rainbow. 

He has been a driving force in establishing rubber social events in Amsterdam and Rotterdam: safe spaces for rubbermen to meet (and a good excuse to buy more rubber…). As well as bringing latex to the some non-fetish bars and venues. Talking body positivity and emancipation, he supports the NoMoreC project for HepC prevention (check www.nomorec.nl for some easy tips!), and helped establishing the Miss Rubber Netherlands title: the only Miss Rubber title in Europe at the moment, with the first election to be held in spring of 2021. 

Upon the cancellation of all our physical events during the COVID-19 pandemic, Adalberto promoted online rubber social events as a way to keep social togetherness in times of physical distancing. He proactively shared tips and tricks with other communities worldwide, which resulted in a large number of fun and well-attended online events, including pub quizzes and online gaming. 

In May 2020, he started a project of empowerment of kinky men on the topics of sexual consent and healthy boundaries as tools for a healthy sexual life and to prevent potential abuse situations.

Out of rubber, Adalberto is a DNA scientist, BodyPump instructor and a ballroom enthusiast.

His motto: keep shining!

Guillaume developed his first crush on the fetish scene back in 2012, when he started working as a kink advisor at a fetish store in Montreal. It was only more recently that he started wearing rubber, finally following through on a childhood desire he'd felt when he saw someone wearing latex in a movie! In addition to rubber, his main kinks include impact play and domination role play; he's always ready to leave some heavy marks with his floggers... or with his single-tail whip! For Guillaume, wearing rubber is an experience. It makes him feel good, confident and proud. Growing up, Guillaume was facing a lot of body shaming and now embracing clothing that are skin tight and shiny is very empowering for him. He wants to make people understand that rubber is for everyone and for every size. Guillaume is committed to community education, facilitating workshops and classes about BDSM, uniforms, role play, HIV and pet play (he identifies as a Kitty!). He's a strong believer in initiatives supporting younger generations, dedicating his time and energy to non-profit organizations with mandates to help LGBTQ+ youth. He believes that supporting the younger generation is essential to ensuring the future longevity of our kinky communities, and he's often inspired by expressions of gender he sees in younger crowds, especially by those identifying as gender fluid and non-binary. These non-normative expressions of gender and sexuality are vital to creating a future where we're all freer to be who we are and play how we want! Guillaume encourages people to discover their true selves - and to own it! - no matter what gender they are, or what kind of play they like!

The first Mr. Rubber Poland (2017). The first Mr. International Rubber from the Eastern Europe. His fetish adventure has started with wetsuits and gas masks, long time ago. He is proud of being the co-establisher of “The Nest” program realized with the support of The ReFForm foundation (based in Warsaw, Poland). The main aim of this program is to provide a mental support to people who have a problem with their self-acceptance and their fetish side of the soul. His main aim is to promote rubber and support those in the fetish community in Central and Eastern Europe in the fight against persecution and discrimination. In addition, he wishes to educate and promote knowledge about rubber as a fetish and BDSM as well as support the organization of events and titles throughout the region.

Preston “Wexx” So is Mr. International Rubber 20 (2017) and Mr. New England Rubber 2016. The first international fetish titleholder of Asian descent, he is honored to bring the MIR title back to New England and the New England Rubber Men. Previously, Preston was the resident materials expert at Harvard College Munch, the BDSM student organization at his alma mater, where he educated other members about leather, rubber, spandex, and similar fetishes at a time when the group was vilified by Bill O’Reilly on Fox News as a university-funded “sex club.”

Proud to practice his passion by wearing latex out regularly, Preston enjoys mentoring new rubberists regardless of their gender or sexuality, especially through latex fetishism workshops at DV8/Purple Passion and Cleveland Leather Annual Weekend (CLAW). As an international titleholder, he has appeared on Vice.com, Watts the Safeword, and NoSafeWord to promote and foster latex fetishism. Preston’s mission as Mr. International Rubber 20 is to rubberize the world — to bring the latex fetish to places further afield and especially to unawakened rubberists.

A native Chicagoan, he also holds the title of Mr. Midwest Rubber 2015. He has been actively involved in the Chicago kink community for the last 6 years, and is a member of the Chicago Rubbermen, Titans of the Midwest, and the Chicago Band of Brothers. He continues to volunteer for LGBT and various service organizations, including the Center on Halsted, AFC, Gay for Good, TPAN, Equality Illinois, and the Lakeview Food Pantry.

Gummibärchen has traveled extensively over his title year. He continues to highlight the Midwest kink community, works to foster the growth of rubber clubs throughout the world, and promotes his sense of humor and wit, along with his penchant for community involvement and volunteerism.

He currently lives with his supportive partner, Jerry, his honorary “Rubbermaid”. They are STILL accepting applications for puppies, boys, and anyone willing to help vivishine the burgeoning gear collection.

Max Samauth is the 18th man to wear the Mr. International Rubber sash having secured the title during the contest held in 2014. Previously he held the title of Mr. Rubber Netherlands 2014. His attraction to rubber began with movies and the characters of aliens and other fictional creatures who inspired him. During his formative years Max not only discovered fetish sites on the internet but also received his cochlear implant allowing him to hear for the first time. These two attractions would eventually lead to his career as a film editor and photographer.

One of his earliest purchases was a vacbed (even before his first catsuit) as he found himself completely encased, immobile, unable to communicate and forced to concentrate on the feeling of being helpless in someone else's control.

During his title year Max has been able to explore his role as a handler and as a puppy as well as fulfill his goal of helping those who might feel ashamed of their rubber fetish desires to enjoy them more fully. He has traveled the world from Berlin to Chicago, San Francisco and Toronto to London, all in support of the growing and vibrant rubber community.

Andy "CosmicRoo" Coatham, the current Mr. International Rubber and Mr. Rubber Toronto, found his start in fetish at a young age wasting a ton of electrical tape in the privacy of his bedroom. As he grew, so did his fascination with tight garments through icons like the Power Rangers and Dean Cain as Superman. Their tight-fitted attire led him to discover the world of rubber at 18, when everything changed.

His obsession has grown madder over the years, and has driven him to become a self-taught rubber designer. He spends hours at the craft fine-tuning and honing his skills. Andy aspires to enhance the rubber and fetish community of North America through outreach and education. He takes part in university panel discussions, charity groups, and organizes and attends various kink events. Andy believes that the community as a whole is growing, but has a lot it can learn from its members. So, he seeks to understand and better himself through open conversation and discussion.

Andy's interests in the fetish community are broad, but lie heavily in rubber, bondage, and submission. Outside of the fetish world he can often be found on social media, texting, or playing Pokémon--all of which he admits he is heavily addicted to. But no matter what is going on, there’s always time for rubber.

In Memoriam

G-MAN is proud to have brought the MIR title back to the US and also to be the first international title holder from the South. He was born in Virginia to a career military officer and he now claims the Atlanta, Georgia area as his home, though he grew up living in Florida, Rhode Island, California, Mississippi, Virginia, the Phillipeans and Japan. (G-MAN attributes his love of rubber, in part, to watching Japanese superheros on TV; they all sported latex & spandex costumes.)

G-MAN originally studied aviation in college (and even knows how to fly!) but now has a career in IT. For the past several years, he balanced his time between his full-time job, school, and the Atlanta leather/rubber community. He is an active and original member of the Hotlanta Rubber Group. Since earning his MBA in 2010, he’s been making up for lost time; G-MAN won the title of Mr Southeast Rubber in August 2010 and then was “sashed” as Mr. International Rubber 2011 in November 2010.

In his title year, G-MAN will be traveling to as many regional events as he can across the USA and internationally to promote the rubber scene and the role of kink as an integral element of the LGBT communities. He will also be using this opportunity to lend support to non-profit organizations which actively assist LGBT youth, especially those who have been bullied in school or who have been kicked out of their home for being honest about their sexuality.

In Memoriam

"I'm originally from a nice little seaside town in Devon and Currently live in Manchester where I do photography and design. I was always fascinated by Rubber from a young age. It started with leather when I was about 5 when I really wanted a little pilots jacket, the brown leather kind with wool inside and patches all over. I wore it all the time until I out grew it and when I was about 11 I bought a black leather biker jacket off my friend for a whole £7 I’d saved for weeks. A proper T-Bird style jacket!

I got such a rush and would hide up in the attic wearing it feeling powerful and rebellious, little did I know that this would turn into something sexual! One night I was rolling around in the jacket when I shot my first load through pure excitement and was terrified I’d broken myself! But the feeling was immense and soon became a favorite past time, but always in that jacket, no idea that this was even sexual let alone a bit kinky.

A while later when I was maybe 12 I was at a youth club and we were playing with giant 6ft balloons in this hall playing all sorts of games with them when one of them popped and this large sheet of fairly thick red rubber floated down and I grabbed it and something felt funny. I knew I wanted to keep it and took it home. I ended up making them into some crude rubber shorts with staples and if I thought I was obsessed with the jacket, then this was something else, I would wear them all the time, under clothes, to bed and when ever I was alone. I even shared it with a few friends, it was at that point I realized it wasn’t something everyone was into. Oops.

In my young teens I would watch Eurotrash (an awful cheep European magazine style show that highlighted the weird and wonderful) in the hope that there might be another section about some rubber fetishists, hand on the remote just in case anyone came in.

As I started to realize my own sexuality, which I didn’t come to terms with easily with my strong faith, I started to think this rubber thing might be bad for me and tried several times to get rid of it all. But by then the internet was big and there was no escaping! So eventually when I was 18 I decided instead of just finding the bits of gear I could find to get off on, like medical gloves and rubber tires I finally bought my first rubber shorts and top from expectations and WOW! I knew I was hooked. I remember vividly the guy in the shop saying as I tried them on that “Once a rubber pervert, always a rubber pervert” which both scared the crap out of me and thrilled me at the same time. And there really was no going back.

The rest really history, I eventually hooked up with a guy and as I explored my faith more I learned that being gay and a man of faith are far more compatible that I ever thought, and years of twisted church history have made it a far bigger taboo than it ever was meant to be, but that’s for a whole other conversation!

The rubber collection grew, my horizons widened, my tastes expanded and now I’m a happy rubber man that’s for sure! A vast majority of my work became about rubber, I’ve been enjoying getting out to events all over the world and meeting some awesome mates, all because of the slick stuff. After attending MIR in Chicago in 2008 I was inspired to start the Manchester Rubbermen. I so wanted a bit of what the Chicago Rubbermen had, an open, friendly community that was inclusive and just celebrated that we’re all a bit quirky in our own ways and for some of us that’s rubber! The uk is too often just about hook up events so I wanted to really try and get some community going. We’re coming up to our 3rd Birthday and it’s been been growing and growing, we’ve seen guys coming out that usually wouldn’t and the nights we attend being far more social and people actually making rubber mates more than just standing out in dark corners cruising, which is totally what I wanted!

I was fortunate enough to win the MR RUBBER UK title last year which got me thinking maybe it’s time I head back to Chicago as I felt it was apt. I’d had so much encouragement and positive words at the various event’s I’d gone to through that year, that I thought, why the hell not, I fucking love my rubber community and the amount of fun that I get from it, and God knows it takes up a lot of my time so why not go for the world title…

…The rest, you know and that is where the adventure begins! You can follow my adventures on my blog over at http://slyhands.com.

If you actually read all that you deserve a snog ; ) Oink.

Sly.

Fenn is the third contestant in a row from Canada to obtain the title of Mr International Rubber but is no stranger to contests. Having already won Mr Rubber Toronto 2010 and Mr Leather 101s in 2007, he also ran for Mr Leather Toronto. Fenn has lived in Toronto his whole life but enjoys traveling and has visited almost every continent. He enjoys working with people and is always available to lend a hand at contests/events. He also helps organize kink related seminars in Toronto through the kink group "So You Want To Be Kinky (http://www.2bkinky.com/)".

Follow his blog at fenn1982.blogspot.com.

In Memoriam

Stephane Donaldson has become the second man from Montreal to claim the title of Mr. International Rubber. Previously he was Mr. Rubber Montreal 2008, and also holds the title of Mr. American Rubber as well. Stephane lives in Montreal where he is a marketing and purchasing director for Priape, the premier gay stores in Canada.

He was raised on a ranch where people would board horses, 185 in total.  Being raised on a ranch of course one of his favorite hobby or sports is rodeo and horseback riding. In 1997, Stephane decided to come out and move from the country to the city, it was a big change for him. He was introduced to rubber/latex by his second boyfriend who made him try on a latex jock. That was the defining moment that started his love and passion for latex.

He is presently 39 years old, father of three kids, 2 boys and a girl, and is currently single.

Having previously won the title of Mr. Rubber Montreal 2007, BJ became the first Canadian to win the title of Mr. International Rubber.

Maurizio Iacone was born in Rome but has been living in Milano for many years now. Since he was 16 he was always interested in motorbikes (he is among the founders of the first gay bikers club in Milano) and leather gear. Since 1987 he has been attending most international gay fetish events in Europe and it was at one of these events that he discovered the pleasure of rubber as well. The intense feeling of wearing Rubber suits and the numerous sex-games that it allows. Maurizio bought his first rubber gear in Berlin in 1997 and wearing rubber the first time was a true revelation. He is always adding rubber items at his already overstocked fetish wardrobe during every journey abroad. It’s his second skin!

In 1990 he co-founded the Leather Club Milano and he has been an active member for many years serving also as the secretary and vice-president of the organisation. He then joined the Leather Club Roma and in November 2005 he was elected Mr Rubber Italy 2006. During the year 2006 he travelled throughout Italy, attending events in Roma, Milano, Naples, Verona, Parma, to promote the Italian Rubber scene. Additionally he represented his country aboard by attending Rubber Pride in Mannheim, Folsom Europe in Berlin and the Full Rubber Contest in Berlin.

In November 2006 he took part in the Mr. International Rubber 2007 contest where he became the first man to claim the title for Italy! As MIR2007 Maurizio doubled his efforts to promote the Rubber scene and has been on the move as much as his job and private life have allowed.

Highlights of his year as MIR2007 included serving as a judge at the election of Mr MEC (Mec En Caoutchout) 2007 in Paris, attending the European Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs Annual General Meeting in Stockholm, and participating in the 2007 ECMC Bike Run.

Marurizio’s efforts are not restricted to the fetish scene. He has always been on the front lines of the fight for gay rights. He is against any kind of discrimination and is particularly involved in the fight for the legalisation of same sex marriage. He "came out" very early in his life and since 1984 he has taken participated in Gay Pride Parades. As a titleholder, Maurizio has appeared in many gay magazines to represent the Italian fetish scene and his involvement for the gay community. In November 2006 he was a guest on a TV talk show to speak of the Italian gay fetish community and to claim the attention of the public on the issue of gay marriages.

Maurizio is in love with his partner in last two years, Simone, and beginning in September of 2007 they will be living together in Milano, Italy.

Michael was born in Taipeh (Taiwan) in 1979 and grew up in Ludwigshafen am Rhein (Germany). In 2001 he relocated to Achern (south-west of Germany) which is where he developed his love for rubber and guys in rubber. "Since I know that I am gay I prefer looking at guys dressed up in rubber or leather because for me they look much more horny than in normal clothes."

Michael has been self-employed since 2005 as a graphic and web designer and is also passionate about dancing sport (German champion 2005 in Latin formation dancing. Michael also ejnoys listening to music, cultural events, going to the cinema, and meeting up with friends. Since being chosen Mr Rubclub 2005 and Mr International Rubber 2005, Michael has judged for Mr. Rubber Italy 2006, Mr. Leather Baden-Württemberg 2006, German Mr. Leather 2006, and will be on the judging panel to select his successor, Mr. International Rubber 2007.

Franks travels have taken him across Europe and the US to promote MIR and the rubber fetish. Last year alone he served as judge for Mr. Leather Baden-Wurtemburg 2005 in Mannheim, Mr. German Leather 2005 during Berlin Leather Fetish weekend, Mr. Rubber Italia 2006 in Rome, Italy and as head judge for MIR2006. Additional, he has been seen at rubber and fetish events in Dusseldorf, Munich, Vienna, Hamburg, Paris and Chicago.

Prior to his year as MIR2005 he was Mr. Rubclub 2004 representing the German rubber club and brining his experience to his competition for MIR2005. Frank used his year as MIR to give more structure to the rubber scene and hosting rubber parties at great venues. One key success was the inaugural Rubber Pride in Mannheim attended by over 800 European rubbermen.

Frank is an IT Administrator for a company in Germany. Among his hobbies are jazz and modern dance in which he won the German national title in 1993 and 1998. in 2001 he won the German open division dance championships.

Frank currently lives in Otterstadt, Germany with his partner Carlos.

Chris was the seventh man to win the title of Mr. International Rubber.  At the time he won his title, he was a resident of Las Vegas.

Born in Indiana, William "RubberWilli" Schendel now resides in Chicago where he is a property manager and former fundraising professional. He attended Indiana University and was a founding member of HEADSPACE, an organization for Indiana University students interested in exploring safe, sane and consensual BDSM play. While at IU, he was also involved in "Lascivious Exhibitions," a group of individuals who threw annual fetish events in the Bloomington area, and it was at one of their events that he was first introduced to liquid latex, beginning his rubber adventure.

After watching the Mister International Rubber (MIR) contest for 2 years, he entered, winning the title of MIR2003. In 2004, he began working behind the scenes to learn the workings of the contest better, and in 2005 took on the role of MIR Weekend Coordinator. In recognition of his efforts to grow the rubber contest weekend, in May 2009, Willi was appointed Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner of MIR Contest LLC, the newly established independent parent organization of Mr. International Rubber and Rubber Blowout Weekend in Chicago.

During his title year, Willi founded the Chicago Rubbermen, one of the fastest growing rubber clubs in the United States. He currently serves as one of three "rubber ambassadors" to members of Rubclub, the German rubber club, sharing information about rubber and fetish related events on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and is the former Vice President and Webmaster for the Chicago Leather Kennel Club, an organization dedicated to assisting individual men and women in the their pursuit of local, regional, national and international fetish titles. As a frequent international traveler, Willi has provided behind the scenes logistical support to many global fetish clubs hoping to launch fetish contests. He was the organizer of the Strict Rubber Dress Code parties at MIR and IML through 2008, and has appeared in several Rubbermen & Rubberzone fetish videos.

No stranger to either side of the judges table, RubberWilli has been honored to serve as a judge to numerous leather and fetish contests, including the inaugural Mr. Rubber Italia, Mr. MEC Rubber France and Mr. Rubber Montreal and he was honored to serve a judge for IML2010.

Yannick was born in Brittany on the west coast of France and now lives in Paris with his boyfriend Stefan. He is a professional nurse and has recently completed his studies in nursing managements. Yannick is a member of M.E.C. (Mecs En Caoutchouc) the most important rubber association in Europe. He is also a member of A.H. (Hard Love).

During his title year, Yannick traveled alot promoting his title and the rubber community including MidAtlantic Leather in Washington DC; International Mr. Leather in Chicago; and Mr. European Leather in Brussels.

Yannick loves travel, history and collecting stamps.

Chad was born in Illinois and came to Chicago from Minooka to attend Columbia College in 1990. Since graduation he has been pursuing an acting career with local theater companies and Chicago Lyric opera. In his spare time Chad continues to travel to events around the country and abroad promoting the rubber scene.

When in Chicago chances are you'll find him at Crew, Chicago's Premier Sports Bar and Grill.

Tom Kelley is a native of western Michigan, and now resides in New Jersey where he is a software engineer.

He emerged into the rubber and S&M scene in 1998 and joined Gay Male S/M Activists (GMSMA) in 1999. He holds the title of Mr International Rubber 2000 and has served as a judge for that contest four times. He has also been a judge for the Mr East Coast Rubber contest sponsored by the NY Renegades, and for Mr New Jersey Leather.

His hobbies include travel, motorcycles, scuba diving, and introducing men to rubber and bondage, preferably both at the same time.

He is currently a member of GMSMA, GMSMA's Folsom Street East committee and Delta International.

In Memoriam

Thomas Smith was Mr. International Rubber 1999. When he won the title he was a resident of Minneapolis. His dedication to the title and sense of community were recognized during his year and he received the Pantheon of Leather President's Award during 2000.

At his step-down, Thomas was recognized by the MIR Contest Producers "as representing the title with dignity, passion and a lot of hard work. He showed an intense desire to create a groundwork, upon which the men who will hold the title in the future can build."

Thomas is a past President of the Lexington Lyons Leather Club and was Mr. Kentucky Leather 1997. He is an Alumni member of the Black Guard in Minneapolis and is an Associate member of the Atons in Minneapolis.

Christoph Lehner was born in Munich, Germany and at an early age was fascinated by the imagery of Tom of Finland. The shiny men in rubber caught his eye among all of the images, and his first rubber purchases came in 1993 while staying in London.

He studied philosophy of physics at Munich and Stanford and then accepted a teaching position at the University of Kentucky. It was in 1997 while he was teaching in Lexington that he entered and became Mr. International Rubber 1998, the first person to hold the title. He didn't get to enjoy his title year as much as he would have liked, as his teaching obligations kept him busy, but he has enjoyed his rubber explorations ever since.

In 2003, Christoph returned to Germany and now resides in Berlin. Christoph works as a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for History of Science in Berlin.