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.

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.

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.

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

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

2011- Boi Eddie, International Ms. BootBlack 2003, has been a member of the leather community for many 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!”

Sponsor: Centaur Motorcycle Club

Denver, CO
Sponsor: The Denver Triangle

Colorado Springs, CO
Sponsor: High Plains Leather

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