International LeatherSIR / Leatherboy

and Community Bootblack

Honoring the past, Playing in the present, Building the future

Raul and his partner, George, have been in the leather lifestyle for 10 of the 16 years they have been united.

During his leather journey, Raul has been involved in a number of fundraising activities benefiting local not for profit organizations ranging from Care Resource, an HIV counseling establishment to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

He is a member of Seattle Men in Leather as well as the South Florida Bondage Club and is also engaged with Beyond Leather to further the leather community in South Florida.

His passion is learning and counseling others in the leather lifestyle in regards to the different life changing events individuals may experience that range from health issues to relationships. Raul's door is all ways open for those who wish to reach out for advice or direction via the electronic forum (internet) and in person.

Raul bases his ideology on past experiences in his life, fetish play and relationships which comprise of three very important pillars forming his foundation and direction for his life. The three pillars constitute: maturity, honesty and trust.

The main interest in Raul's life is the guidance and nurturing of his leather family. He faces the facts that a relationship between two is not easy, and a family is all the more consuming as it requires a lot of work and commitment, however, in the end, the special emotional gift derived from this unit is so worth any pain, aggravation and labor.

On a less serious note, Raul enjoys making the majority of his own fetish toys.

You can visit Raul's website at www.rauljmendezii.com.

Bill was introduced to the Leather Community in 1993 in New York City. At that time the community was still galvanized by the AIDS Epidemic. The philanthropic nature of the leather community was what immediately drew him in and is one of the many things that still inspires him today.

Bill became an associate member of The Philadelphians MC and at that time began his work as a volunteer for non-profit organizations, supporting the community through fund raising. During his volunteer career, Bill was the Co-Founder of Positively Sober, a Ft. Lauderdale support group for sober people living with HIV/AIDS and recently helped to create Clean Sober Leather (CSL), an online support group for sober leather men and woman struggling with staying sober today in the leather community. He is proud to have worked with the Florida Hospice, Project Link of Ft. Lauderdale, Kids in Distress, Toys for Tots, National Gay and Lesbian Task force, is a voting member of The Leather Archives, Chicago, Illinois and currently serves as President of the Board for Bound South, Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. This is his second year as producer for The Mr. Ramrod Contest at The Ramrod Bar in Ft. Lauderdale and is also engaged with B eyond Leather to further the Leather Community in South Florida.

Bound South, Inc., http://www.boundsouth.com annually produces The Leather Masked Ball, Thanksgiving Friday to raise funds for organizations like The Leather Archives and Museum, Chicago, Illinois; The Stonewall Library and Archives, Ft. Lauderdale; Tuesdays Angels, Ft. Lauderdale and Care Resources, Miami, Florida. Funds collected are earmarked for AIDS Research and Education; and the research, collection and preservation of leather history and the history of the gay community.

He has recently been nominated for two Pantheon of Leather Awards, Man of the Year 2008 and Florida Regional Award 2008. In Addition, Bound South, Inc, has also been nominated for two Pantheon of Leather Awards, Small Non-Profit Organization of the Year 2008 and Large Event of the Year 2008.

The journey from Mr. Ramrod 2006 to International Mr. Leather in 2007, 2nd Runner Up, was one of personal challenge and growth. Having been sober 22 years, Bill brings his experience strength and hope to help educate and raise awareness regarding the ongoing struggle with substance abuse and its impact on the leather community. This journey has given Bill people who he will always call friends and others who have become family.