Ms San Francisco Leather Contestants' Guide

The Ms San Francisco Leather title is one of the most revered Leather titles held in the San Francisco Bay Area communities of Leather since 1987. Having existed over 25 years, Ms SF Leather titleholders serve to uphold the integrity and mission of the contest and communities we serve. 

The Mission of the Ms. San Francisco Leather Contest is to create and maintain an annual contest/event that:

1.  Celebrates our diverse and dynamic Greater San Francisco Bay Area leather/kink/lifestyle communities.

                                           and 

1. Raises money to support the work and effort of our San Francisco Dyke, LGBTQAII QTBIPOC, disabled and sober communities. Each year at the Ms. San Francisco Leather contest, an esteemed panel of judges selects a Ms SF Leather person to represent our community. This representative is someone who exemplifies the principles of honor, service and community commitment.

Ms SF Leather  titleholder serves to be in support of and uphold all social justice matters which aim to promote equitable representation, accessibility and unity dedicated to serve the mission, diversity and ethics found under the umbrella of San Francisco Bay Area Dyke, QTBIPOC, Disabled, LGBTQIA+ and Leather communities.

The goal of the Ms SF Leather titleholder is to bring their own unique, individual approach to the title they serve—bringing rise and solutions to local community needs. The Ms SF Leather community seeks a passionate titleholder who will take steps that demonstrate they value the mission of the Ms San Francisco Leather title within the region it serves.

Qualifying Contestant Applicants Must Reside in One of These Counties: 

• San Francisco 
• Alameda 
• Contra Costa 
• Marin
• San Mateo
• Santa Clara
• Solano
• Sonoma

*Note: We are NOT a feeder contest, but we do support and encourage traditional Ms SF Leather titleholder next steps–which is to run for International Ms Leather AFTER  one full, required year of service as a Ms SF Leather titleholder.

Ms SF Leather Competition Guidelines: 

The Ms San Francisco Leather title is open to those who are 21 years of age, reside within qualifying counties for at least 12 consecutive months,  and have been a member of the Leather/kink communities for at least 2 years. We embrace community members who want  to serve our communities, seek experiential Leather learning opportunities, and acquire a greater sense of altruism.  Contestants will be treated fairly and  judged  equitably while in the company of the Ms SF Leather Contest and staff (regardless of race, age, semblance, silhouette, gender-identity, sexual-orientation, neurodivergency, or disability). We will do our best to meet accessibility needs and  modification adjustments. The criteria used to judge contestants will be

used to assess apt preparedness, eloquence, and self awareness–which will be modeled as educational influencer and titleholder ambassador  of the San Francisco Bay Area 

To receive an application please fill in the interest form at the bottom of this page. Again, all contestants must reach 21 years of age, reside within any of the qualifying counties for at least 12 consecutive months, and have at least 2 years of active experience in the Leather, kink and/or lifestyle. 

Completed applications for Ms San Francisco Leather contestants are due by December 15, 2024. There is NO contestant fee. 

Contestants applications are evaluated by our Ms SFL Contest Application Processing Team BEFORE they are given to our esteemed judges.  During that time, the staff reviews the candidate's application to ensure that all information and practices upholds contest guidelines and local laws. 

Contestants nor Titleholder is determined by honorific, gender, race, sexuality,  nationality, religion, age, nor -isms nor -ists.

Our esteemed judges come with contest, judging and/or community service experience. They come highly qualified for the positions they hold, and they honor their position by judging and scoring solely on the catgories given. 

Contest Categories and the Possible Point System Scoring

• Interview in Legal Leather/Kink Wear (75 points)
  The appropriate dress for this part of the contest is street legal leather/kink wear. Contestants will be interviewed by the judging panel prior to the evening portions of the contest. Interviews will not be open to the general public. Contestants will be judged on their ability to think introspectively and concisely as they are posed questions that assess their understanding/ knowledge of Leather/kink lifestyle-related issues and/or history. While some of the questions may require you to think quickly on your feet, expectations of contestants will be met with equitable measure–and shall not exceed contestants’ abilities. In addition to Leather history Q and A, this part of the contest also allows  judges and contestants to engage in thought-provoking dialogue, which purposely elicits mindful presence and intentionality.

• Speech and Formal Wear(45 points)
  Contestants will each be given 2 minutes to speak on a topic of their choice related to the Leather/kink communities. Contestants will be judged on the delivery of their speech and formal wear. Formal wear should model what one would wear to a formal Leather or kink event/banquet. Contestants are not required to wear all Leather (or any Leather at all). Contestants are, however,  encouraged to consider the event they are dressing for when presenting their authentic representation of self. Not meeting or exceeding time guidelines will result in a deduction of points.  Deductions will be made by the Tally Master(s)--not the judging panel.

• On Stage Pop Questions and Cruise/Bar Wear (20 points)
  Each contestant will randomly select one pop question to answer on stage. Questions will be submitted by the Ms SF Leather Contest production staff and facilitated by the  emcee. Pop questions will  include one serious question and one jovial/fun-filled question. We aim to ensure all contestants receive questions which are balanced in query and depth. All questions will be thoroughly assessed for equal/equitable measure before they are used for the contest.  The appropriate dress for this section is your sexy best.

• Fantasy (40 points)
  Each contestant will be given 5 minutes to perform a fantasy on stage. Contestants will be scored on the creativity they use in the fantasy portion and how well they engage the audience. The fantasy is an erotic production scene/storyline staged in front of a widely viewing audience.  The fantasy must demonstrate a theme/fetish and/or maintain community relevance with  descriptive purpose. All fantasies require fantasy outline submission and must be staff approved before the contest.

• Comportment (20 points) Judges will observe each contestant’s interactions and general demeanor throughout the contest weekend. Interactions include getting to know judges and local community members in attendance of the events contestants are required to attend. Judges will submit a comportment score for each contestant to the Tally Master(s) within the essential timeframe.

*Note: Contestants must remain within accordance with local laws and the limits of the contest venue regardless of beliefs or affiliations. 

Each contestant is required to participate in two, on-site Ms SF Leather Contest  fundraisers for the title holder travel fund. These following required contestants’ fundraisers take place during the Ms SF Leather Contest Weekend 

1.  Leather/kink or lifestyle Item Auction
2. Meet and Greet Raffle Fundraiser 

*Auction and Meet and Greet Raffle Fundraiser details disclosed upon receipt and approval of contestant application. 

The Ms SF Leather titleholder is celebrated and supported with the following during their title year:

• Guidance from Ms SF Leather Contest Producer and one appointed MS SFL staff advisor for:  2 required title year fundraisers–(title fund and social cause fundraiser) and one Ms SF Leather event/social. 
• Start up Travel fund 
• Promotional and media releases once titled and throughout the year
• A custom-made title back patch and vest from Mr. S Leather
• Ms SF Leather medallion to wear and keep for life
• A title year guardian of the Ms SF Leather Legacy Title Sash for title years served.

• To wear your vest and/or medallion when a ttending any lifesyle event as Ms San Francisco Leather during your title year.  This includes within and without the walls of the San Francisco Bay Area.
• To serve for one full contracted year as Ms San Francisco Titleholder. 
• Host (1) community social event and (1 ) educational event
• (2) fundraisers--one must go towards an approved cause of your choice. 
• Attend (1) major Leather event outside of the Bay Area.