By Rodney Burger
Mx. Maryland Leather 2023 Finn Gerhardt from Odenton, Maryland and a member of COMMAND, MC was named Northeast Person of Leather 2025 on Saturday, February 15th. Also competing was Red Buoy from Provincetown, Massachusetts, a member of the Nor’east Ursamen Leather Club. Although it was a dark, cold, and rainy day outside, a warm and friendly crowd gather at Metro in Baltimore for the annual contest. After an interview with the judges, contestants competed onstage in speech, two pop questions (one serious, one humorous), and presented a 3–5-minute fantasy based on at least one fetish. Finn’s very moving speech contrasted the actions of Adolf Hitler with those of Donald Trump. It was concise and to the point. The contestants were also scored on their leather lifestyle, which included their personality and interaction with judges, public, etc. The contest, which was produced by Twisting Culture, was judged by Daddy Sal, a producer of such contests as Ms. San Francico Leather and SF Dyke Daddy / Diva, American Leatherman 2018 Sir Rai, Hillside Campground Leather Sir 2024 Sir Fre’, Mx. Maryland Leather 2025 Chris Jay, and Northeast Bootblack 2025 Daijah Flames. The judges were assisted by H & B Ministries member Burke and the contest was emceed by the very entertaining Tomo, the owner and producer of South Plains Leatherfest, the International Master / slave Contest and the International Person of Leather Contest. There was a big silent auction of leather gear and the largest charcuterie board I have even seen. It took up several long folding tables! Many members of the ShipMates Club of Baltimore spent the day roaming the room and selling raffle tickets for all kinds of fun leather gear door prizes. Our new Northeast Person of Leather, Finn, will advance to compete in the International Person of Leather Contest in 2026. With all that is going on now in our country, attending this diverse and festive event gave me hope that in these troubling times, our community is better together.