MIR, formerly Mr. International Rubber, is a multi-day convention and contest celebrating the rubber, fetish, and kink communities.[1] Established in 1997, MIR occurs annually in Chicagoland during the autumn, drawing participants and attendees from all over the world.[2] Events include workshops, socials, dances, market, and the contest.
| MIR | |
|---|---|
 Rubber Pride Flag | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Rubber, Fetish, Kink |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Chicagoland |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | 1997 |
| Most recent | October 17-20, 2024 |
| Organised by | MIR Contest, NPO |
| Website | mirubber |
History
editMIR started in 1997 hosted at the Boystown bar, Cell Block, and has been run every year since.[3] In 2009 MIR contest moved to the Center on Halsted to account for larger crowds.[4] In 2020 MIR 24 was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] MIR 27 in 2023 moved to a new location in Skokie, Illinois.[6]
At MIR 27 in 2023, organizers announced that the event would allow contestants of all genders to compete;[6] the contest winner may chose whichever honorific best represents them as MIR titleholder: Mr. International Rubber, Ms. International Rubber, Mx. International Rubber, or MIR International Rubber Ambassador.[7] To promote inclusion, organizers also changed the official name of the contest from "Mr. International Rubber" to gender-neutral "MIR."[7]
The Leather Archives & Museum holds many of MIR's records.[8]
Winners
editBelow is a table of MIR contest winners.[9] Winner's Country as used in the table refers to the winner's country of residence at the time they won the competition.
| Year | Class | Winner | Preliminary Title / Sponsor | Winner's Country | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | MIR 28 | Rush |  United States
|
[10] | |
| 2023 | MIR 27 | AJ Huff | M. San Francisco Rubber | United States
|
[11] |
| 2022 | MIR 26 | Pusckatt Pumera ONYX | Mr. Florida Rubber | United States
|
[11][12] |
| 2021 | MIR 25 | ChicagoRubber | United States
|
[11] | |
| 2020 | MIR 24 | Contest was virtual and no MIR titleholder was selected. | [11] | ||
| 2019 | MIR 23 | Adalberto Rubadam | Mr. Rubber Netherlands |  Netherlands
|
[11] |
| 2018 | MIR 22 | Guillaume Dupuis |  Canada
|
[11] | |
| 2017 | MIR 21 | Michal Neighbour |  Poland
|
[11] | |
| 2016 | MIR 20 | Preston "Wexx" So | Mr. New England Rubber | United States
|
[11] |
| 2015 | MIR 19 | Jeffrey "Gummibärchen" Basile | Mr. Midwest Rubber | United States
|
[11] |
| 2014 | MIR 18 | Max Samauth | Mr. Rubber Netherlands | Netherlands
|
[11] |
| 2013 | MIR 17 | Andy "CosmicRoo" Coatham | Mr. Rubber Toronto | Canada
|
[11] |
| 2012 | MIR 16 | Rubber Jason | United States
|
[13] | |
| 2011 | MIR 15 | Sly Hands | Mr. Rubber UK |  United Kingdom
|
[11] |
| 2010 | MIR 14 | G-Man | Mr. Southeast Rubber | United States
|
[11] |
| 2009 | MIR 13 | Fenn | Mr. Rubber Toronto | Canada
|
[11] |
| 2008 | MIR 12 | Stephane Donaldson | Mr. Rubber Montreal | Canada
|
[11] |
| 2007 | MIR 11 | BJ Turgeon | Mr. Rubber Montreal | Canada
|
[11] |
| 2006 | MIR 10 | Maurizo Iacone | Mr. Rubber Italy |  Italy
|
[11] |
| 2005 | MIR 9 | Michael Schneider |  Germany
|
[11] | |
| 2004 | MIR 8 | Frank Bug | Mr. Rubclub 2004 | Germany
|
[11] |
| 2003 | MIR 7 | Chris Vincent | United States
|
[11] | |
| 2002 | MIR 6 | William "Rubberwilli" Schendel | United States
|
[11] | |
| 2001 | MIR 5 | Yannick Kerjose |  France
|
[11] | |
| 2000 | MIR 4 | Chad McLaughlin | United States
|
[11] | |
| 1999 | MIR 3 | Tom Kelley | United States
|
[11] | |
| 1998 | MIR 2 | Thomas Smith | United States
|
[11] | |
| 1997 | MIR 1 | Christoph Lehner | United States
|
[11] | |
References
edit- ^ "Tips for Newbies". mirubber.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ Lieberman, Hallie (2023-05-25). "'Fuck the Rules:' Rubberists are Starting Their Own Revolution". Vice. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ "Rubber lovers". Time Out Chicago. 2005-02-04. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
- ^ "Mr. International Rubber 2010". Time Out Chicago. 2009-10-27. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ "MR INTERNATIONAL RUBBER PRESENTS: MIR24 - RUBBER LAB". Demasque Magazine. 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ a b "MIR's Intergalactic Rubber celebration soars to a suburb not too far way". Windy City Times. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ a b "An Inclusive Contest - MIR Contest". mirubber.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ "Mr. International Rubber (MIR) Collection". Leather Archives & Museum. ORG-0015. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ "Titleholders - MIR Contest". mirubber.com. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ Stevens, Joseph (2024-10-20). "International Mr. Rubber goes to Skokie". Windy City Times. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z "Titleholders - MIR Contest". mirubber.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ "Mister International Rubber takes the stage at Center on Halsted, Riviera Theatre". Windy City Times. 2022-11-07. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ "Jason "RubberJason" Lynch - In Memoriam". mirubber.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.