RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Honey Davenport has made history by winning the 2026 International Mr. Leather title at the annual leather festival in Chicago. The yearly event, widely considered one of the world’s biggest leather gatherings, draws thousands of attendees for workshops, exhibitions, nightlife events, and competitions centered around leather and kink culture. Much of the festival takes place at the Congress Plaza Hotel. This year’s International Mr. Leather contest featured nearly 70 contestants. Davenport, who competed on season 11 of Drag Race in 2019, took home the top honor.
During their acceptance speech, Davenport repeated the line they famously used while introducing themselves on Drag Race: “There’s only one thing you need to know about me. This honey is raw and unfiltered.” Not only is Davenport the first Drag Race queen to win the title, but they mark the second year in a row that the honor has gone to Mr Palm Springs. Last year’s International Mr Leather sash went to René Hebert, of California City. The runners-up were Sgt. Alex, representing Mr. Cincinnati Leather 2025, and Denzel Belin, representing Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2026. Atlas Rose won the International Mr. Bootblack title.
