MIKE GERLE

CHIEF JUDGE

Mike Gerle is the current International Mister Leather 2007. In addition to the IML07 title Mike concurrently holds the titles for Mr. Los Angeles Leather, and Mr. Oil Can Harry's Leather.    Mike was raised in Wyoming and Idaho and now resides in West Hollywood, California, where he works as a Management Specialist at City Hall. 

His community involvement includes annual fundraisers for a variety of organizations including Aid for AIDS, Van Ness Recovery House, West Hollywood Recovery Center and Hot n Dry.  He is also dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of crystal meth use in the leather community. Other affiliations include the Los Angeles Leather Coalition, Southern California Gay Sports Bikers, LA Frontrunners and the AIDS LifeCyle Ride.

Mike's interests include riding his BMW r1150r Motorcycle, Riding Gear, Boot Blacking, anything SciFi, Two-Stepping and Traveling with a particular affinity for German dark rooms.

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Copyright © 2004-2008 - Los Angeles Leather Coalition, Inc. (L.A.L.C.)
A coalition of Southern California Area leather and fetish identified groups, businesses, clubs and organizations.

For more information info@mrlatheather.com or  webmaster@mrlaleather.com.

All events, dates, times, and participants are subject to cancellation or change without notice.

Loren Berthelsen

A Nebraska native and long-time California resident, Loren Berthelsen currently calls North Hollywood home along with his Boy of 13 years Alex.  Loren is a board member with Avatar Club LA, is the co-founder and producer of the West Coast Rubber weekend and is pleased to be a voting representative of the Los Angeles Leather Coalition.  

Loren traces his BDSM and non-profit community heritage back to late 80's San Francisco where he proudly served 5 years as board member and President of the respected AIDS Emergency Fund.  Loren also holds the title of San Francisco Leather Daddy Fourteen and is honored to hold a diplomatic title to the Imperial Court of San Francisco which is longer than this entire bio.

Loren has a mean sadistic streak and is lucky to have a dedicated Boy who appreciates it.  He and his Boy are always up for new play experiences, especially if they involve rubber and toys.  They have presented BDSM demos on a variety of topics including Breath Control, Kitchen Kink and Extreme Bondage.  When he's not playing at home or organizing play parties for Avatar, Loren and his Boy enjoy fine food and wine, their Triumph sport bikes, travel and lively political discussions.  Loren earns his livelihood as a web producer for a Major Cruise Line.

PUP DON

Pup Don has been an active member of the LA Leather community since 2001.  Serving as an officer in the LA boys of Leather and a member of Avatar Club LA, his goal is to help others find their leather paths and teach them about finding safe ways to explore their sexuality, kinks and fetishes.

He also wants to bring back the idea of individual mentorship within the leather community.  While clubs, meetings and workshops are a great way for people to socialize and learn, the one on one connection between a novice and an experienced leather person is vital in keeping our community thriving.

Tim of Threshold

Tim of Threshold has been an active member in Threshold and the wider BDSM/Leather community for a number of years.  Two of those years (2005 and 2006) as the Coordinator of Threshold. He enjoys doing demos and has presented them to a good many groups.  Topics he's taught include bondage, suspension and hook suspension, play piercing, knife play, fire play, flogging, and blow darting.

It has been his dream to help pull the BDSM/Leather community closer together by working with the leadership of the various groups in the LA, OC, areas. Through unity we secure our future.

Jon Reich

ALTERNATE JUDGE

Jon Reich  has been involved in the fetish community for several years and is quite skilled at rubber-play.  He is a former USAF Security Police Officer which helped land him his current role as Director of Operations for Instigator Magazine.  His involvement in the Seattle Leather Community has given him a better understanding of what guys go through in smaller metro areas, something which he has not only brought to the magazine but to the many Los Angeles scene-based charities & events he has worked tirelessly to promote.  He strives to encourage everyone to be themselves, check egos at the door and embrace different personal fetishes, "Lest your inner-freak be judged, too!" 

Jon believes that true leadership doesn't come from a title, patch or a board position, but rather through supporting each other and our collective (and individual) endeavors by example.

Stewart Sokol

A member of both Avatar Club LA and the Oedipus Motorcycle Club, Stewart joined the leather community more than 25 years ago while still living in New York. He was a well known bi-coastal Theatrical Personal Manger until the AIDS pandemic began to devastate our community. At that time he became a member of the AIDS activist, prevention and care movement becoming a supervisor of the National AIDS Hotline. As a result of his dedication to our community and the fight against AIDS he has earned a place in Who's Who in the World, 1998 and Who's Who in Healthcare 1999-2000.

He has traveled and worked extensively throughout England , Australia and Thailand with his prevention messages. He has been a consultant and guest lecturer to hospital medical staff and students in Paris , London, New York and Los Angeles.

While some consider him their Leather "DADDY" he has been a gay dad since the 1960's. He wishes all the contestants the best of luck and advises all to find the joy in the experience and have fun.

JON WRIGHT

Jon is originally from Modesto, CA but has lived in Los Angeles since 1966.  He attended UCLA for undergrad and Law School and spent considerable time in Germany.  He speaks German and still visits Berlin at least once a year.  He has been an active member of the LA leather/rubber  community since at least 1978. 

"I am recently retired (8/07) as a financial institutions lawyer where I served as an out representative of our gay employees, and helped to develop our bank's domestic partner policy and AIDS funding programs.  I served as an openly gay founding member of the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity Los Angeles.  I am currently Vice Commander of the Regiment of Black & Tans, LA 's premiere uniform club. I'm married to an incredibly hot and fantastic leather man who shares my life in every way."