Requirements of Texas Pet/Handler 2025:
* Gay/bisexual/transgender/queer persons 21 years or older as of April 1, 2025
* Be a permanent resident of the state of Texas
* Provide two high-resolution pictures
* Provide at least one raffle basket for the travel fund raffle at the Meet-and-Greet
* Participate in the critter/handler community with goals of leadership/ambassadorship for Austin Kink Weekend
* Contestants will need to pay a non-refundable $25 USD application fee (Hardship case exceptions will be considered by contacting us at puck@austinkinkweekend.com)
Expectations:
* To promote the Texas Pet and Handler Contest and Austin Kink Weekend contest locally, statewide, nationally, and/or internationally, when possible
* To make a minimum of three (6) public appearances as Texas Pet and Handler at leather, fetish, or LGBTQ+ events in the state of Texas during the title year
* To attend and assist with the 2025 Austin Kink Weekend
*To organize at least one charitable event or fundraiser as Mr. Texas Leather that benefits an organization within the leather, kink, or LGBTQ+ community.
* To maintain good standing in the community by presenting oneself with integrity
* Maintain a high level of professionalism while wearing contest sash, back patch, and/or other title affiliated attire (ex: avoid excessive intoxication, no inappropriate public nudity, etc)
* Must compete in an international-level competition (IPTC, World Pet, etc.) at end of title year as a representative of the Texas Pet and Handler contest and Austin Kink Weekend
* The elected titleholders may not compete in other leather/rubber/puppy/pet/fetish contests during their title year, as this would likely conflict with their responsibilities and obligations to AKW.
* To NOT create or promote a competing contest/weekend event without the consent of the Texas Leather Contest Production staff
Scoring:
Contestants will be scored on how well they represent themselves in their application, the judges’ interview, AKW social events, pop question and formal presentation, and on-stage pet play/ pet handling. They will be judged with regard to stage presence, personality, their interpretation of pet (critter) culture, and grooming.
The scoring is based on a 1000-point system. Each contestant is judged individually and not as a pair. For all contestants competing as pets, the best score out of 1000 will be declared the winner of Texas Pet. For all contestants competing as Handler, the best score out of 1000 will be declared the winner of Texas Handler. In the event that no contestant scores 80% of points or more there will not be a winner for that title
Contest Categories:
* Application
* Social dynamics at Austin Kink Weekend
* Contestant's response to pop question
* Judges’ Interview
* Contestant's pet scene show presentation
* 2 minute speech to the community (points deducted after 2 min)
* Contestant’s interpretation of Pet/Critter/Handler lifestyle image
Judging:
Contestants will be judged on the aforementioned categories by a panel of judges. Points awarded by the judges will be added together for each contestant, and the contestant with the cumulative highest number of points will be declared the winner. For the sake of score calculation, Olympic scoring will be utilized where the highest and lowest scores in each category will not be counted for placings nor tie breaking. The contestant with the second-highest score will be the runner-up. In the event of a tie, category scores will be utilized and the highest score in the speech category will determine the winner of the tie, followed by judges' interview, followed by image, pop question, and then application.
Thank you for your interest in competing in the Mr. Texas Leather contest. The Mr. Texas Leather contest began in 1997 and has had multiple title holders not only make impact in the Texas leather community but compete and represent the state of Texas on an international stage.
By completing this application, you are taking your first steps in joining a family of leathermen and marking the beginning of a new journey in your life that is fulfilling and rewarding.
We look forward to seeing you on the stage!
Thank you for your interest in competing in the Ms. Texas Leather contest. The Texas Leather contest began in 1997 and has had multiple title holders not only make impact in the Texas leather community but compete and represent the state of Texas on an international stage.
By completing this application, you are taking your first steps in joining a family of leather women and marking the beginning of a new journey in your life that is fulfilling and rewarding.
We look forward to seeing you on the stage!
Thank you for your interest in competing in the Mx.Texas Leather contest. The Texas Leather contest began in 1997 and has had multiple title holders not only make impact in the Texas leather community but compete and represent the state of Texas on an international stage.
By completing this application, you are taking your first steps in joining a community of leather people and marking the beginning of a new journey in your life that is fulfilling and rewarding.
We look forward to seeing you on the stage!
Thank you for your interest in competing in the Mr. Texas Leather contest. The Mr. Texas Leather contest began in 1997 and has had multiple title holders not only make impact in the Texas leather community but compete and represent the state of Texas on an international stage.
By completing this application, you are taking your first steps in joining a family of leathermen and marking the beginning of a new journey in your life that is fulfilling and rewarding.
We look forward to seeing you on the stage!