About – SouthWest Leather Legacy

About​

Established in 2015​

The Person of Leather title system was founded in 2015 by Jazz, Mr. Andrew Love, and Master Tallon to promote the diversity of Leather culture within the Leather community.

The Early Years (2014–2015)
The inaugural Southwest Person of Leather 2014 was Papa Bear of Las Vegas, NV. He would go on to be sashed as the first International Person of Leather in 2015 at Sin in the City in Las Vegas.

The first Southwest Person of Leather contest was held in October 2015 in Tuscon, Arizona, produced by Master Trish – a founding member of Desert Dominion in Tucson.

The Evolution & Production
Since that first event, the contest has been hosted at various events, throughout the Southwest, including at the Southwest Leather Conference and SoCal Soul2Sole. In that time, the title came to be known as a mentor-heavy, service-oriented title.

In 2026, Texas and Oklahoma were added to the Southwest region which now emcompasses the areas of California (South of Fresno), Hawaii, Nevada (excluding the cities of Reno, Sparks, and Carson City), Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico.

The Current Chapter: 2 Days at The Dallas Eagle
Current producer Master Velvet, International Person of Leather 2025, is excited to embrace a community-focused model for the renewed contest, offering a sanctuary for community growth. Important in her vision of the contest and the role of the titleholder are:

Mentorship over competition.
Leather heritage preservation.
Intimate connection within a community Leather space.

Connection to the IPOL Contest
The Southwest title is an official feeder for the International Person of Leather contest, which takes place at South Plains Leatherfest in Dallas.

Mission​

We provide a community service title that celebrates the diversity of Leather culture and fosters deep connection within the Southwest Leather community. Our mission is to host an intimate two-day event to select a strong regional representative who learly and effectively demonstrates what it means to them to live and identify as Leather.

Vision​

We envision a future where the Southwest Leather community is united through shared wisdom and the active support of its diverse members. Our goal is to be a sanctuary for growth that empowers individuals to carry the spirit of our region to the international stage.​

Values

We value inclusivity and the authentic expression of individual passions that drive our community forward. We are committed to celebrating the diversity of our Leather culture and the preservation of our regional history, ensuring a strong foundation for the next generation of Leatherfolk.

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