International Mr. Leather

International Mr. Leather (IML) is an American multi-day convention and competition celebrating the leather, kink, fetish, and BDSM communities. Established in 1979, IML is held annually in Chicago, Illinois over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, drawing thousands of attendees from around the world. As of 2025, over 2,200 contestants from 28 countries have competed in the weekend's contest to earn the title of International Mr. Leather.

Events include speakers, socials, themed dance parties and a leather market. IML contestants are expected to participate in the weekend while also fulfilling contest-related duties. Contestants qualify for the competition by winning an approved leather contest organized by a bar and/or local or regional leather club, or by being sponsored by a leather-related business or organization.^[1]

Since 1993, the organizers of IML have also produced and hosted the International Mr. Bootblack competition, occurring the same weekend as the main convention. This contest was created to recognize the service and contributions of bootblacks to the leather and BDSM communities. Following the resignation of IMBB staff in 2023, the contest has remained inactive.