Saturday the 3rd of October, Pieter Claeys won the Mister Leather Europe 2009 contest on behalf of Motor Sportclub Amsterdam (MSA). For one year Claeys is now an ambassador for Europe's leather community and will take part in the International Mister Leather contest in Chicago in May 2010.

The Mister Leather Europe contest is an annual event of the European Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (ECMC), which was held in Rome this year under the organisation of the ECMC member club Leather Club Roma. 150 attendants, coming from leather clubs as fas as Iceland, Estonia and Switserland decided about the contest's final outcome together with a jury consisting of club presidents and Ralf Lauritzen Rasmussen, Mr Leather Europe 2008.
Asides from Amsterdam, this year's contest saw Denmark, Germany, Italy and Norway taking part in the competition. The candidates were judged in three rounds: looks, an interview and a performance. Traditionally, the acts have an erotic character, something which Pieter Claeys didn't feel much for. The erotic acts of the other candidates greatly differed with the act of Amsterdam's candidate which consisted of a speech against the background of a video montage with classical music: "I have never considered an erotic act, I wanted to go for the content. So I held a speech in which I called the public to vote for a Mr Leather Europe which could stand for the history, diversity and comradeship of our European leather community in a world which still condemns leathermen and leathersex as sinful and perverse."

Apart from the title, the sash and a mention in the Wikipedia, Pieter Claeys now owns a ticket to the International Mister Leather (IML) contest. But the winner doesn't see IML as his sole challenge. The recently graduated student Scandinavian Studies wants to apply his language skills to visit a number of leatherclubs in Europe. He plans to share his experiences through a website www.MrLE2009.com and with the help of social media such as YouTube and Twitter:"In The Netherlands too leathermen are often judged at first sight and the possibilities we have in Amsterdam to organize parties and activities are limited by licenses and an often unjust aversion against everything which has to do with sex. During the past year I have talked with many inside and outside of our leather community, gay and straight, whom I've talked to about leather, fetishism and kinky sex. By writing my findings on a website and seeking dialogue through presentations and personal conversations I got more understanding for what we do in the leather community. As a Mr Leather Europe I want to continue into the same direction and share my experiences and knowledge with others."
Claeys also wants to stay active in is home town as a volunteer for Amsterdam's Furball and XXXLeather parties. As Mr Leather Europe he also wants to do his bit in promoting the Amsterdam leather community abroad:"Amsterdam has a lot to offer in the leather and fetish field. For example, at the end of the month we celebrate our rejuvenated Amsterdam Leather Pride under the motto 'Get Ruff!' In combination with this victory we have every reason to be proud and create a raving party!"

More of Mr. Leather Europe 2009's work at www.lthr.nl