Qualifications

The Northwest Person of Leather Contest is one of seven (7) feeder contests (Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Northwest, Midwest, Rocky Mountain, and Heartland) to the International Person of Leather contest held at Southplains Leatherfest in Dallas, TX each March. Winners of the Northwest Person of Leather Contest are required to enter the International contest and represent the Northwest Region at Southplains Leatherfest.

To qualify, contestants must self-identify as Leather, be active in the Community for at least four (4) years, be at least 21 years of age by the application deadline, and live in the Northwest Region – Northern California (Fresno county & north), Nevada (Reno, Sparks, and Carson City only), Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. The contest is open to those who identify as Leather regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or physical appearance. Contestants are not required to have a formal platform; however, questions from the judges regarding any specific plans or goals are appropriate.

Contestants are Judged in Five Areas

1. Interview with the judging panel (150 points)

2. Two-minute speech given on stage by each contestant (100 points)

3. Ten-minute educational presentation on a Leather topic (100 points)

4. Pop question answered on stage by each contestant (75 points)

5. Leather Lifestyle as observed by the judges throughout the contest weekend (75 points)

There are seven judges and the high and low scores in each category are eliminated. A perfect overall score would be 500. The contestant with the highest overall score is the winner.

Titleholder Responsibilities

The titleholder's primary mission is to provide outreach and education to the Leather, Fetish/BDSM/Kink, and M/s communities about the leather lifestyle by attending and participating at a minimum of four events during their title year. These events need not be large events. Attendance and participation at smaller events, such as for one's local dungeon or club, fulfill the requirement just as well as presentations at large weekend conferences.

The titleholder must also attend Northwest Leather Celebration the year following their victory and participate in the step down process. In addition to these responsibilities, the winner is required to provide quarterly activity and expense reports to the contest Owners. The travel fund is disbursed quarterly. Titleholders who serve less than a full year will not receive the entire year's travel fund.

With the sole exception of the International Person of Leather contest, the Northwest regional titleholder may not singly or as part of a pair, triad, etc. compete in any other title contest throughout the duration of their title year.

The titleholder must agree that during their regional title year and thereafter, they will not engage in interviews with or appear in "vanilla" mainstream media (whether print, television, film, radio or internet based) to discuss or call attention to the Northwest Person of Leather Contest or the International Person of Leather Contest without the express written consent of the Owners/Producers of the Northwest Person of Leather Contest and the Owner/Producer of the International Person of Leather.

In addition to promoting the leather lifestyle and representing the Northwest region at the International Person of Leather contest, the winner is expected to promote Northwest Leather Celebration, the host event for the Northwest Person of Leather contest, as well as help recruit and encourage the following year's contestants.