kd is a radical queer comic artist and bootblack who fuses art with politics, graphics with sex, and education with visuals as a method of altering societal norms and breaking down preconceived notions of gender and sexuality. Her work throughout New England, and across the country at large, has been called "imaginative," "ambitious," "fresh," and "creative." Her dogmatic approach to comics and art as a transformative experience sets her apart from other artists.
In 2010, kd took her art, queerness, and sex-positive nature to another level, and created SALACIOUS Magazine. SALACIOUS, a queer feminist anti-racist sex magazine, looks to meld high art, stunning visuals, and written erotica. SALACIOUS has been taking over the country by storm, and has been heralded as the next generation's "On Our Backs." kd hopes to make SALACIOUS the magazine you keep on your mantle for the rest of your life, and sign into your will for your grandchildren to enjoy. www.salaciousmagazine.com
For kd, being an artist is the gateway that enabled her to become a bootblack. The very nature of leathercare, leather worship, and leather community are all similar and connected to the core of being an artist. kd uses her art as a platform for conversation and education, and similarly uses her bootblacking as a means to support her community, open up dialogues about leather, and get her hands good and dirty.

2013 - Since stepping down from her title in the last year, kd's life has completely changed. A month after she handed the sash to Tarna, kd moved from Portland, Maine to New York City to expand her art career. Within two months she secured a full-time job designing and producing materials for a theater for families and kids right in the heart of Times Square, while continuing to create and lay-out porn on the side. Designer by day, pornographer by night, kd barely has time to draw anymore except for when she bends the time-space-continuum so she can carry on doodling delicious, smutty, leather-themed art for all of you.

Jayson DaBoi has been living the leather lifestyle for 7 years, but has always had a leather-heart, just not the adequate words to express it. Jason started bootblacking at a young age, when she first asked her father to show her how to shine his shoes; she was hooked at first polish. She continued his traditions into the military and now shares them with her community. Bootblacking is her spiritual connection to her leather walk. Jayson believes everyone has the ability to shine from within.

2013 - Jayson DaBoi is a native New Mexican, spastic puppy and highly energetic bootblack who is proudly serving her Daddy Evan as his boi. Jayson has been living the Leather lifestyle for 8 years, but has always had a Leather heart. Jayson started bootblacking at a young age when her father first taught her how to shine his shoes; she was hooked at first polish. She continued his traditions into the military and now shares them with her community. Jayson believes that boots create the spiritual foundation of the Leather Walk, and she wants to ensure that everyone has access to a solid and beautiful foundation. She enjoys sharing her love of leather care with anyone willing to learn. When not working her "normal" job, she can be found in a cigar bar or her living room, blacking boots, or out in the community raising funds for anyone who asks.
What am I doing now? I am still participating in the leather community in New Mexico just on a much smaller scale. I am focusing on my career and competing as the ultimate Rockstar. I get to spend most of my time when I am not working with my amazing wife, Honey. My goals include having kids, owning a home and meeting Stitch on a Disney cruise.

2009 - Pony is one of two bootblacks in residence at the Leather Rose in Chicago. She was named Kentucky Bootblack in 2006 and was the runner up at the GLLA 2006 Bootblack contest. Pony has a Masters of Divinity degree from an accredited theological seminary and is an ordained Minister in a mainline Christian denomination. She has taught classes in Bootblacking and/or ponyplay at Leather Retreat, Anything for Love, LRA Chicago, KUFS, KISS, and the Fort Wayne Munch. Pony is an associate member of the Louisville Trailblazers. She is owned by "Min" of Chicago.

2008 - Q first encountered bootblacking while attending her very first leather event, Together in Leather in 2005. Her next exposure to bootblacking at Frolicon started Q on her journey to learn more regarding this art. Q was honored to receive the title of SouthEast LeatherFest Bootblack 2007. Her title year afforded her the opportunity to provide a tangible service to our community. She has a passion for public speaking that she is excited about indulging through future presentations. Q is boi to her Sir, Kathrine, and a partner of seven years to Kathy.

Alameda, CA
Sponsor: San Francisco Boot Black Studio
Ms. V hails from Pt. Richmond, California and was first bitten by the boot black bug several years ago while attending the Folsom Street Fair. She attended The Bootblack Track at Dungeon University 901. Ms. V is a graduate of the Journeyman Academy III of California. She has been a part of the SF Bootblack studio since its creation. A member of the Northern California Bootblacks, she fundraises for many events. Ms. V has both been inspired and influenced by many gifted bootblacks from the United States and Canada. She continues to refine and hone her craft.

2013 - I wanted white go-go boots as a kid...but never got them. I used to stomp around in my sister's majorette boots. They were too big for me. They had tassels and wooden stacked heels. I felt pretty and powerful clunking down the hall at my house. My sister gave me my first pair of brown boots in high school, which further fueled my love of boots. They were brown riding boots. I couldn't express what I felt when I would spend hours polishing them, in my words "making them pretty". I do remember feeling a sense of power, and confidence when I wore them.
Flash forward; I was first introduced to bootblacking at the Folsom Street Fair watching Driller on his corner. I was mesmerized. What a mystical experience seeing this polish-smeared wizard at work. As I watched, I wondered if I could do this with a female sensibility. Many Folsom's later, I was touched in a similar way by watching Bootdog. I could no longer refuse the call and I began my bootblack journey the next day. Over a decade later, I'm still on my journey.
What I've learned is that for me, Bootblacking is religion. I consider it a deep and soul satisfying process which is an expression of love and joyful devotion that requires dedication. I went from trying to shine and perfect every boot to finding beauty in imperfection. What I do is simple, slow, and uncluttered-and it reveres the authenticity of the boot above all. It's about honoring the intrinsic beauty and function of that boot, appreciating all of its imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. To me, bootblacking is about simplicity, modesty, intimacy and appreciation. I will continue to preserve the tradition by spreading the gospel of boots.

Medford, MA
Sponsor: Great Lakes Leather Alliance and Ramrod
Ms. Bootblack 2006 is a boy who can often be found in the dark corner of a bar with polish on her nose. Out and active in the local and regional leather community for eight years, she tries to share her love of boots and bootblacking with her brothers and sisters. At the end of the day when all the boots are blacked, Alex makes her home in the Boston area.

2011 - Since stepping down from International Ms Bootblack 2007, Alex Bettencourt has been a Teamster, sex educator and sex toy salesperson, anti-tobacco lobbyist, professional artist, and, most recently, a case manager serving substance-addicted and at-risk youth. Talking, teaching, and learning from people walking diverse paths, skills also used in fulfillment of the responsibilities of the title have helped Alex be successful in a wide variety of fields. When not counseling or preparing to return to higher education, Alex is making art and fostering a spiritual life in central Massachusetts. Alex is thrilled to be back in San Francisco for IMsL's 25th anniversary!

As International Ms. Bootblack 2005, my goal was to inspire and encourage at least one person during my title year the way so many of you have reached out to me over the years. I wanted to challenge myself and have something to give back. I've heard the phrase "Do Something!" in our community a lot and I would like to add "… and do it with your own sense of style." [Ed. note- text is from a letter and not the official bio]

Sponsor: Great Lakes Leather Association Hobbies/Interests: Revolutionary War reenactment, archery, Volkswagens

2013 - Izzy now plies her trade at Stag Barbershop-- a traditional barbershop in Milwaukee which specializes in classic men's cuts and hot, straight razor shaves. Izzy started at Stag in August 2011, and is currently there just one day a week. A classic barbershop might not be a fetish environment, but Izzy's love of bootblacking transcends just fetish.

Sponsor: LA boys of Leather and Bill Mitchell, American Leatherman 2003

2013 - Boi Eddie, International Ms. BootBlack 2003, has been a member of the Leather community for… has it really been 15 + years?  She conducts workshops on her craft and mentors many new bootblacks in both the Leather community and in the pansexual BDSM communities. Eddie has traveled throughout the United States and Canada to numerous events as a representative for both her title and for Southern California. She has helped raise money for numerous charities both in the Southern California region and in various other locations in the United States and Canada and is a member of Mama’s family. Eddie is a teacher and likes nothing more than explaining what it is she is doing and how she learned her craft. Her motto is simply, “It’s GOOD to be the bootblack!”.
Eddie also LOVES her job as a high school Mathematics teacher and is proud to own and use the license plate  GEOMTRX  She loves to do Math, loves to do boots, and just loves to sit and read when she is given the time. 

Sponsor: Centaur Motorcycle Club

Denver, CO
Sponsor: The Denver Triangle

Colorado Springs, CO
Sponsor: High Plains Leather

2013 - Twenty years ago the Leather community was in the “dark ages” meeting secretively hoping to not get caught. Today, the Leather community is prominent and visible. The “Leather community” continues to be redefined through commitment and tradition.
Commitment comes from the heart. My commitment to the community              is as a bootblack and a titleholder. There are times when i just want to stay home and not see any black wax for a week; but it is my commitment to be there for the community.
A community bootblack is rare commodity, many cities do not have them and they rely on events for a bootblack to teach them. A community bootblack is the “heart of Leather”; they are willing to get down on their knees and get their hands dirty. They clean and love the boots, shoes, and person for all their worth. It is an attitude of servitude, bringing an age-old tradition to an individual at that moment in time. i hope communities will rise and start producing bootblacks.
The thought of an old guard Master having to do his/her own boots is unbearable and old guard is a tradition that i recognize and honor.  Tradition is a great part of our community; however, tradition has room for growth, which brings in the new guard mentality. Twenty years ago, as a straight fem bootblack, i would not be doing what i am doing today. i am one of many examples who have been accepted in the community not because of their sexual preference but who they are.  i am a community bootblack.
We bring old and new guard together with commitment and tradition. We begin to shine together because “we do shine in many different ways”. Let your leather shine through.
yours in leather and boots,
michael ann

Bosque Farms, NM
Sponsor: ABLE Productions and Sandia Leatherwomen & Leathermen

2013 - Long ago and far away, Leslie Anderson made her SPLASH….insert your pun here……..onto the Leather scene. First with the Sandia Leathermen and Leatherwomen, then with the Motorcyclemen of New Mexico. Leslie was Ms New Mexico Leather in 1996, and President and Producer of New Mexico Leather events. In 1997, Leslie became the American Leatherwoman. If that wasn't enough….Leslie won the 1st International Ms Bootblack in 1999. Nowadays, Leslie resides in Chicago, IL and prefers to call herself the founding member of RIBB (Retired International Bootblack) and slave to her 7 year old African Grey named Chicken. He's one demanding Top. All year long, Leslie plots and plans for being contestant handler extraordinaire at IML…..and it takes another 12 months to recover from all those fine hunks of Leathermen. When asked what the one thing she knows for sure, the response is, "life is ALWAYS a work in progress…..and when it no longer is…..it isn't."