New York Welcomes the first Mr. Rawhide NYC Mr Rawhide, NYC Contest Winner Ryan Moller

The Leather Report
by Darrell Blackandblue

On Saturday March 13, history was made within the NYC Leather community when the city's oldest and original Leather/Levi bar, Rawhide, held it's first ever Mr. Rawhide, NYC leather competition. Despite the ominous wind and rain conditions outdoors the bar was packed with Leather men and women as they celebrated the competition and then the choosing of the first Mr. Rawhide, NYC, Ryan Moller. Ryan has been active in the leather, rubber and fetish scene in recent years and is a behind-the-scenes theatre professional. The other contestants had among them, an adult film star, a Rawhide regular and raconteur and a self-proclaimed Master’s boy. How did it feel to compete? “It was thrilling,” Ryan says, “to be in the first contest with such a group of great guys...(we) have become such great friends… guys that I (might) not have gotten close to otherwise.” The esteemed and diverse panel of judges and support staff consisted of a round up of New York nightlife scene makers and royalty of East Coast Leather titleholders. Will Clark, Porno Bingo impresario, emceed the night with DJ Delroy spinning tunes and Ray Daniels dancing "Coyote Ugly" style. Special Guest Judge, Mike Dreyden threatened to steal the show with his wisecracks and snarkitude! While running in a Leather contest might seem easy, don’t be fooled. “I have seen a few contests in the past, but never had the guts to stand up in front of everyone and do it myself,” Ryan continues, “The judges really made me feel at ease and confident (and showed me) that it was nothing to be scared of…on contest night the audience was wonderful, they really helped put me at ease, which is not easy when you are half-naked in front of strangers!”

What’s it like to chosen as a winner? Ryan tells me, “Winning means acceptance and that I have gained the confidence of the Leather community in NYC. Chosen by a panel of judges really ranging the gamut, it means that they trust that I was the best to go forth and represent the community, something I am really excited to do. It is great to know that the staff and patrons of Rawhide are ready to get behind a new guy and (hopefully) will support me during this title year and beyond.” Ryan will represent the bar and his local leather community through events, fundraising and charitable action. He will go onto compete at International Mister Leather in 2011.

Produced by Rawhide, NYC, and Leather First, NYC, the competition was sponsored by area businesses that support leather activities in NYC. The Mr. Rawhide, NYC Leather contest marks a new chapter for the Chelsea bar. It will soon host weekly and monthly Leather-themed parties, open to all NYC Leather communities. The bar and its new titleholder will be stars to watch in the coming year!