Mr NC Triangle Leather is proud to introduce our Judges and Staff
Robert Bess Head Judge
Back in 1999, Robert began his journey into the leather scene while living in Raleigh. His first partner introduced and guided him, and what really struck him was the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere, which was unlike anything he had known before.
After relocating to Ohio, he immersed himself in the community and was drawn to its strong sense of camaraderie and the impactful charity work it undertook. Seeking to play a larger role in fundraising, he decided to compete for local leather titles, starting with Mr. Crossover, then Mr. Cleveland Leather, and ultimately competing at IML in 2006.
But Robert's journey didn't stop there. Driven by a desire to give back, he co-founded the Ohio Boys of Leather to further support the community.
After dedicating several years to prioritizing his sobriety, Robert stepped back into the leather community with renewed enthusiasm, inspired by his boy who embarked on a leather journey in Virginia. Now residing in Raleigh, Robert is thrilled to reconnect with his community, feeling a strong sense of belonging once again. He looks forward to providing guidance and mentorship to newcomers.
To everyone reading this, he challenges you: find a way to give back. We're more than just a group with a shared interest; we're here to foster community and to make a real positive impact in it.
​Steven Crespo is Mr. Eagle Wilton Manors 2024 and IML 2024 first runner up. He was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and has lived the past 28 years in NJ and Florida. He's a clinical genetics scientist, with a love for natural bodybuilding and antiques, and enjoys multiple kinks, but electro really sparks his interest (pun intended!). Steven takes active part of local Leather family dinner socials, Leather Cocktails events, fundraising and volunteering for multiple local LGBTQ+ organizations, and is part of the Fort Lauderdale Cigar Men Club. He's Mama's Puerto Rican Cub, and Secretary of Mama's Helping Hands Foundation. Steven is working towards creating fetish awareness, acceptance and education to the local and Puerto Rico's LatinX community, voter registration efforts, and to help those who have voices but no power, our LGBTQ+ youth.
Lord Thunderknight is Mr. Mayhem Leather Bear 2023. He has been a member of the leather, kink, and fetish community before 2022. Organized and supported kink events at local clubs & bars has done his share of fundraising for various charities. When he is not at Leather/Kinks events, he enjoys attending amusement parks and riding roller coasters, car shows, card game tournaments, and spending time with his boyfriend, Ryder. His aim is to be present & always ready to help. To put it simply, Mayhems are not afraid to get dirty, lead by example, and set a precedent for the next generation of leather & kink folks.
Ryder began his leather journey in 2016 for DC’s monthly pup night. Shortly after, he attended Mid-Atlantic LeatherWomen-BootBlack, Maryland Leather, MAL, and CLAW. It was at these events that he truly found his love for bootblacking. In 2017, he became a full fledged bootblack. He has since bootblacked for various bars, clubs, and leather/kink events, such as DC Eagle, Mid-Atlantic Leather, and Bears,Bikers, & Mayhem. In 2018, he became Atlantic States Community Bootblack, In 2019, he won the Golden Brush Award at International Community Bootblack. When he’s not at a leather event, he enjoys video games, Japanese superheroes, anime and pretty much everything else nerdy. He is a member of House Aegis, which also consists of his Daddy Tom, and his brothers/siblings Makisupa, Ahren, and Otter. He continues to believe in the two word mantra: Be You
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Boy Matthew- Mr. NC Triangle Leather 2023
Boy Matthew is honored to be a judge and has always had an interest in leather as long as he can remember. Last August Matthew won the title for Mr. NC Triangle Leather and has since competed at MAL and supported his fellow kink communities in their events. Although Boy Matthew is based in Raleigh, he enjoys helping kink communities all over and raising funds for their LGBT centers no matter where they are located. Matthew loves mixing the arts and his love of leather as shown through his leather working projects and specific styles for attending professional performances. His pronouns are He/Him/His and when well deserved, Good Boy