The Rules of the Contests
2010 SELF Contestants
Holding a title provides fabulous opportunities to make an impact on the community and foster individual self-growth. SELF welcomes contestants from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Master/slave couples may also be from Arkansas. Come join us as a contestant and make lifelong friendships.
We're extremely supportive of our contestants and will provide a support program for you that covers everything from how to budget your finances, keeping your energy high, and practical support so you are prepared and ready to have a great title year!
Contests at SELF
SouthEast Master / slave
Open to any contestant pairing regardless of sexual orientation. Contestants must live a Master / slave lifestyle per their own definition. This is a title which focuses on education. The winner will go on to compete at South Plains LeatherFest in Dallas, TX for International Master / slave.
Mr. SouthEast LeatherFest
Open to all who self-identify as a male, regardless of sexual preference, dominance or submissiveness, or even choice of leather fetish lifestyle. The winner will go on to compete at either American Brotherhood Weekend or International Mr Leather.
SouthEast LeatherFest boy
Open to all leather boys/bois, regardless of sexual preference dominance or submissiveness, or even choice of leather fetish lifestyle. Contestants for SouthEast LeatherFest boy can be male or female. The winner will go on to compete at either American Brotherhood Weekend or another appropriate contest.
Ms. SouthEast LeatherFest
The Ms SouthEast LeatherFest contest is open to any leather woman contestant, regardless of sexual orientation, dominance or submissiveness, or even choice of leather fetish lifestyle. Ms SouthEast LeatherFest will then compete at an international level at American Brotherhood Weekend or International Ms Leather.
SouthEast Bootblack
The SouthEast Bootblack title is open to any contestant, regardless of sexual orientation, dominant or submissive, or choice of leather fetish lifestyle. The SouthEast Bootblack will compete at International Mr Bootblack or International Ms Bootblack.
Why are your contestant interviews closed to the public?
SELF took a poll of 109 judges (judge criteria was that they had judged at a minimum of 5 contests to participate in the survey) in 2008. We asked these judges to provide answers regarding open or closed judging situations (and other questions that had nothing to do with this topic).
The resounding answer was they felt that they dug more deeply when an
audience wasn't present. The judges felt they were more likely to discuss
the details of a contestants financial standing, relationship health,
address issues of gossip, and ask questions that were more sensitive without an audience. It was also less nerve-wracking for them as judges. They tended to be more focused on the contestant than on how the audience was reacting to their question. Therefore they felt they did a better job of judging without an audience.
It was based on this resounding response that SELF choose to keep the doors closed so the judges could more deeply explore the personage of our contestants.
From a contestant's perspective: I've been through two closed interviews. My SELF interview was very intense and they did ask some very direct, personal questions. "Nervous" would be a mild euphemism of how I was feeling. If there were others present, it would have increased the level of anxiety. Additionally, the closed doors allowed a level of transparency and honesty because I knew that whatever was said during that interview would stay in that room. The judges saw me, Michael/Nefarious, not a performance or presentation.
It's my understanding that the interviews are so that the judges can get to know the person, not "the persona." They will see those things during the rest of the contest through the introduction, speech, fantasy, pop question, and watching how the contestant interacts in other situations.
Nefarious, Mr. SouthEast LeatherFest 2009
New in 2010
Thursday during the first social party in Citrus Grove (7:30pm - 10:00pm) and all day Friday (9:00am - 6:00pm) look for the contest questionnaire box.
You ask the questions and they might be used for the pop question on stage. If your questions are not used for the pop question, they will be typed up and distributed to the judges before the interviews start. It is at the discretion of the judges whether or not they will use these questions or their own.
Be a part of the contests-- write down your questions and help decide who will take the titles at SouthEast LeatherFest!
Contestants will be supported by SELF before and during the weekend of fun:
- Joel, the 2005 SouthEast LeatherFest boy, who will serve as Den Daddy throughout the weekend
- Pre-event support from the SELF Operations, Miss Bettie
- Complimentary SELF weekend registration
SELF titleholders will receive continuous assistance from SELF during their title year:
- Travel fund
- Congratulatory media release
- Competition coach for international level events
- Event itinerary planning
- Promotional assistance
- Webpage for column and itinerary
- Presence at 2010-2011 SELF events
- Complimentary registration for SELF 2011
Please note, the documents below are currently for reference only. If you wish to compete, please reference these documents. Shortly we will be adding a section to our website specifically for contestants.
Requirements for Competing - Bootblack
Requirements for Competing - Master/slave, Mr., Ms., and Boy
All contestants must also register for the event contact Miss Bettie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to receive instruction on how to register.
All materials must be received by May 24, 2010 in order to be eligible to compete. To be included in the program book, all Contestant materials must be received by May 10, 2010.
If you have any questions or concerns or if you would like to compete in 2010, please contact Miss Bettie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We look forward to seeing you at SouthEast LeatherFest June 10 - 13, 2010.
