FAQ for SELF Contests

They are your titleholders, and you should have a voice in choosing the people who represent you. Just because something has always been done one way does not mean it must stay that way. You are smart and savvy—why shouldn’t you have a vote in who represents you? Learn more about audience voting.

Mr. SELF, Ms. SELF, SELF Boy, and SE Person of Leather: Educational Presentation, Fantasy, and Hotwear/Pop Question.

Southeast Master/slave: Educational Presentation and Hotwear/Pop Question.

Southeast Bootblack: Educational Presentation, Fantasy, and Hotwear/Pop Question.

Everyone who preregisters for SELF online will be eligible to participate in contest voting.

Note: Each registration requires a unique phone number to ensure voter registration and participation.

Yes. To ensure consistency and accuracy when setting up the tally process, we must know who wishes to participate in audience voting before the event weekend. Attendees who purchase tickets onsite cannot participate in audience voting.

No. Vote in whichever category or categories you feel comfortable evaluating. You may vote in all of them or only one.

Our tally team uses a spreadsheet designed to import the voting results. The results are converted using a mathematical proportion formula so that differences in the number of votes are represented evenly.

No. Contestants must receive a balance of scores from the judges and the audience. The scoring system does not allow someone to win without a portion of both the audience vote and the judges’ votes.

No. Contestants must receive a balance of scores from the judges and the audience. The scoring system does not allow someone to win without a portion of both the audience vote and the judges’ votes. Your votes count.

You may vote only once in each category. We trust you to read the criteria and evaluate how well each contestant meets them. Contestants are not running against one another; they are running against a standard established in writing.

Our system allows only preregistered voters to cast one vote in each category. This is one of the ways we protect the integrity of the voting process and prevent ballot stuffing.

The system will not accept the vote. Please do not wait until voting begins to resolve a registration question.

A unique cell phone number functions as the voter ID for each registration and permits one vote in each category. You must be preregistered for the event to vote.

Yes. Your information will not be provided to another person or entity. Your cell phone number is used only as a voter ID.

Yes. SELF has a Surprise Judge position. When completing your registration, you will see an option to indicate that you are interested in the drawing. Entry closes at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on March 31. The random drawing will be held April 1.

No. Your title year costs as much as you choose to spend. SELF is a welcoming event with extensive networking opportunities. People, places, events, and groups may reach out to you, and we encourage you to reach out to them. Whether you spend $10,000 or $100, you can build a meaningful and adventure-filled title year with SELF.

SELF offers many ways to take part, including workshops, contests, social events, parties, shopping, volunteering, and community activities. Visit Ways to Participate to explore the options and find what interests you.

Wear what makes you most comfortable. For some people that is pup gear or latex; for others it is street clothes or casual clothing. Some people love dressing up for the contests, and some bring and wear their leather. There is no single required look.

Your mySELF portal is the central place for your SELF account. Use it to access orders and registrations and to review or update your profile and contact details. Check mySELF before the event so your account information is current and you know where to find your registration details.