Welcome Rubbermen to the 15th Mister International Rubber weekend! This is indeed a milestone event! To put it in perspective, it was only 3 years ago that the entirety of MIR and the attendees could be contained in a single Chicago bar! Today we literally take over the Center on Halsted, transforming it into the Rubber Center on Halsted. What fueled this exponential and sudden growth? You will find the answer as you play in the Kink Market this weekend, sip a libation at the Greet the Meat Cocktail Party, or simply watch rubbermen come and go in the lobby... it’s US! We fueled this growth. Whether we began our connections in person in our local clubs and bars or though social media, we are acting upon our passions for play, kink, and RUBBER by being here this weekend in one place and together. This weekend is a celebration of our shared interests, friendships, and exploration. So dive into the rubbery goodness and have a ball! As you reconnect with your friends, look also to the guys you don’t know. Variety in the kink world has enriched all of us, so I encourage you to enlarge the community by introducing yourself to the newbies. Make them feel welcome in your own way. In the fetish world, rubbermen have a well-earned reputation for being very friendly. Offer a hand to help polish their new gear, or assist them into a hog sack for their first experience. In my year as Mr International Rubber, I enjoyed the huge diversity among rubbermen, one that (fortunately) defies stereotyping. I can attest that it was a great time serving as MIR and that rubbermen the world over are mighty hospitable, generous (oh how they love to give!), and the sexiest, hottest guys I know. Whether I traveled to play parties or contest, I always left having made new friends and expanded my boundries. The experiences of this year exceed the space allotted here, but I do want to give sincere thanks to some of the many people who have supported me, hosted me, and made this year so special.
Sister Piccolettha Innocentia of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Berlin Order for her heartfelt blessing on my victory night: Stephane Donaldson (MIR 2009), for being the first to extend warm hospitality in cold Montreal; Mitch Kenyon and his apostles including Reid Dalgleish, Mr WestCoast Rubber 2010; my “homies” in the ATL at the Hotlanta Rubber Group with special thank you to SIR Alan, International Leather SIR 2011 & pup Nitro, International Leather boy 2011 as well as the Hotlanta Rubber Group; Les Bouska (Splash Photogrpahy) and Rich Yates (Richard Yates Photography), the hottest and talented photographers I know; Aquaboy Paul, David, and their pup of LoneStar Rubber Corps; Mario and Jennifer of Polymorphe Rubber; Jonathan Schroeder of Mr S. Leather; Nikitas Chondroyannos for his sage advice; Jon Krongaard for his support and assistance at IML this year; and finally, a big rubber-wrapped thank you to the staff of the Center on Halsted, RubberWilli, John Jacobs, the MIR staff and all the sponsors who create the space each year in which we can gather as RUBBERMEN!
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With Warm and Rubbery Regards, G-Man, Mr International Rubber 2011