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Sydneysider Tony Kaleta hits the International Mr Leather competition in Chicago with his very own cheer squad, writes Adam Bub.
Tony Kaleta, 50, was flabbergasted when he won the title of Mr Leather California-Men, beating local competition at a Santa Monica pageant back in September. Kaleta scored a motorbike and a place in the International Mr Leather competition, representing California.
“It’s really surreal. It came totally out of the blue,” Tony tells SX. “I was on holidays and my friends pushed me into it. I thought, who do I know here?
“When they announced the runners-up, I thought someone from the back of the pack had won it, and that person was me! It was unbelievable.”
By day, Kaleta takes centre stage as a nurse. “I love the adrenalin of getting stuck into the case, and realising at the end that you’ve saved someone’s life.” Kaleta has provided his nursing experience numerous times as part of the Mardi Gras medical team.
Furthermore, his dedication to the leather and general gay community shows in his previous involvement as the Director of Sydney and Melbourne Leather Pride, as well as his work with various Melbourne dance parties.
Ten years ago, Tony moved from Melbourne to Sydney, but claims that Melbourne’s leather scene is much larger. “Melbourne is becoming very big with their leather scene.
With Sydney, after we lost Manacle, there’s been an empty void for where to go; friends that came to Sydney during Mardi Gras were quite surprised at that.” This ‘empty void’ is likely to be filled when Manacle re-opens their new venue in the inner west, as the owners announced this week.
Tony still finds time for fitness and leisure, playing underwater hockey, swimming, bodysurfing, travelling and skiing. “My brother lives in Salt Lake City so I usually ski there,” he says.
Tony is most looking forward to the IMRL experience itself. “I’m going over to have a great time and meet some great people … if anything unexpected happens, like winning or coming second, that’s a bonus.”
It’s not all fun and games though. Like the Miss World competition, IMRL contestants are assessed by nine judges on their interview skills and physical appearance (including swimwear and leather-based formalwear).
Decked out in gear from his sponsors, the Dungeon Warehouse, the Laird Hotel and Manacle, Kaleta even has an 11-strong cheer squad in tow, while around 25 other Australians will be in attendance.
The IMRL is the international male leather community’s chance to unite and celebrate the diversity of the gay community. Last year’s event attracted around 54 contestants and 2000 revellers. This year’s 30th anniversary week-long event features cocktail parties, ceremonies, interviews, leather markets and dinners.
The winner dons the prestigious title of International Mr Leather, which includes travelling the circuit of worldwide leather establishments.
While Tony aims to promote Australia and its leather scene, he is most passionate about showing the positives of the leather community to wider society. “We’re a great bunch of guys like everyone else … in each community there is diversity, and part of diversity is harmony and acceptance.”
For more information on IMRL, visit imrl.com.
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