Step forward. Represent your community.
Be A Contestant
SELF contests invite the community to participate fully in selecting our next generation of titleholders—and give contestants a supported path into a year of service, travel, connection, and growth.
Contestant applications for SE Bootblack, Mr. SELF, Ms. SELF, SELF Boy, SE Master/slave, and SE Person of Leather will be available November 1. Submit the form below to ask questions or request application materials.
SouthEast LeatherFest has great pride in our titleholders.
Expect support from event staff and past and present titleholders. The rumor that it costs $15,000 to be a titleholder does not reflect the experience of most titleholders. We help you network, find places to stay, and create a cost-effective, adventure-filled title year that works with your time and resources. If you have questions about whether this is right for you, send SELF a note using the interest form below.
Rules & Obligations
Entrance fee: $200 per contestant or $300 per Master/slave pair.
Support Before & During SELF
- A dedicated den of people who will help you every step of the way
- Guidance from the SELF Contest Team beginning more than two months before the contest
- Planning meetings that give you the time, space, and support to prepare
- A contestant booklet after you submit your application, with guidance about the process
- Ongoing pre-event support as questions arise and plans take shape
Support During the Title Year
- Travel fund
- Congratulatory media release
- Competition coach(es) for international-level events
- Event itinerary planning
- Promotional assistance
- A webpage for columns, itineraries, and sponsor advertising
- Presence at our next SELF event
- Promotion of your event attendance
- Complimentary registration for the next SELF
- A custom-made leather back patch for your leather vest
- A custom medallion
Travel-fund note: All monies collected will be divided evenly among the titles. Ms. SELF, Mr. SELF, SE Person of Leather, SE Bootblack, SE Master/slave, and SELF Boy will each receive an equal portion of the travel funds. Baskets will be sold through a silent auction.
How to Compete
- All persons intending to compete must submit the form below by February 9 to request application materials. Applications open November 1, and we recommend that you not wait until the last moment to notify SELF.
- All requested materials must be received by March 25 to be accepted. The contestant meeting is April 1.
- Prospective contestants will speak with event staff before submitted applications are accepted.
- As part of the application review, SELF will check prospective contestants against applicable public sex-offender registries before accepting an application.
- Applications are sent only to people who indicate that they intend to compete. They will not be sent to or accepted through a third party.
- Once your application is accepted and verified as complete, you will receive an email with further information, including a registration code for SELF.
- All contestants must register through the website and pay all fees within two days of receiving a code.
Contestant Interest Form
If you wish to compete, complete the information form below.
When submitting your contestant application, you will need a completed biography of no more than 300 words and a photograph. The biography and photograph will be used for SELF promotional purposes on the website and may appear in the printed program guide.
