Mr. Boston Leather this weekend

If you haven't been to The Ramrod before, you probably have a good idea what to expect: cheap beer, expensive leather, menacing burly guys, and plenty of hugs. Hugs?
"When I used to go to other clubs, I never saw people hug at the end of the night," Aaron tells me. "But at the end of the night at The Ramrod, everyone is hugging each other."

That's the first of my preconceptions about leather men that goes out the window as I chat with Aaron, who'll be relinquishing the role of ambassador for the Boston leather community to the winner of this Saturday's Mr. Boston Leather competition. Forget the idea that people into leather are a little odd or intimidating. Aaron is warm and charming, and almost effusive in his enthusiasm for the local leather community.

When he first moved to Boston, Aaron found the club scene unwelcoming. "People would give me attitude for wearing a sweater from last year's line," he recalls. "But when I started getting into leather, I found everyone was totally down to earth, very friendly and non-judgmental. It's very much like a family."

It was a desire to give back to the scene that motivated him to compete last year for the title of Mr. Boston Leather. "Basically," he explains, "I wanted to repay all those people for taking such good care of me when I was coming out of the leather closet, by passing it on to the next person."

Forget the idea that this is just a kinky beauty pageant. Contestants will appear on stage in two different looks, and will answer short questions; but the real judging happens behind the scenes, in extended interviews that will determine who can best represent the leather community in the coming year. There's more at stake than door prizes; the winner will represent Boston at the International Mr. Leather competition in Chicago. More important, Mr. Boston Leather is a leader here in Massachusetts, serving as a combination role model, organizer and cheerleader.

Aaron has had a busy year: hosting workshops, organizing events like a fundraiser for the Boston Buyer's Club, forging connections between leather scenes in other areas, and building a web presence. Those are big boots to fill, so don't expect any Miss Teen Carolina silliness from this year's contestants; but do expect plenty of fun at what promises to be the biggest leather event of the year.

And don't expect Aaron to disappear after crowning the winner on Saturday night. Though he admits he's looking forward to spending more time with his partner, he's eager to both assist the new Mr. Boston Leather and follow his new leadership.
"It was such a great experience for me. I'm looking forward to telling someone, enjoy this ride that I was just on."

Mr. Boston Leather begins Friday night with a meet and greet at 10 p.m.; the contest is Saturday night at 9 p.m. Both nights are at The Ramrod, 1254 Boylston St., Boston. It's not too late to enter the competition; register by Friday at www.mrbostonleather.org.

info: 617.266.2986 or ramrodboston.com.