Judges
Your Mr. Anvil Phoenix Judges for 2025
Dennis Daniels – Winner of the Mr. Anvil Phoenix 2024 Title Contest.
Earl Gray – Earl’s leather journey began over twenty years ago with the Conductor’s Levi and Leather Club of Nashville, where his passion led him to found a nonprofit that raised over one hundred thousand dollars for underfunded minority organizations.
Later his activism shifted to sober causes and HIV, which, after meeting with state representatives, resulted in $71 million dollars being granted for STI and Overdose prevention programs across California.
While serving as Mr. San Diego Leather, Earl continued to support his community as Treasurer for the Leather Boys of San Diego, Member-at-Large on the board of Bears San Diego, and as a Saint of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
Recently, Earl has been recognized by the City of San Diego, the California State Assembly, and the United States Congress for his activism against the spread of HIV and AIDS.
Stitch – Stitch, the inaugural AZ puppy of 2024, has helped foster inclusivity and acceptance within their community. A proud representative of the Arizona community in the International Puppy and Trainer competition of 2025.
Gaby Tako – Gaby has been involved in the Leather Community for over 4 decades starting in New York City where they met their first handlers and then as a member of the Lesbian Sex Mafia (LSM).
They have been actively involved in communities from east to west coasts with memberships in Club X (San Diego), Red Hankies San Diego (RHSD), and as a founder of the Arizona Women of Leather (AWOL). Gaby was named Ms. AWOL in 2006 by their sisters and is very proud to wear that title. AWOL is back! Come join the sisterhood!
Locally they are known as a reliable judge, tally master, and stage director in a number of contests, most notably Southwest Leather Pride.
Their Leather “career” has been from bottom to top, literally! Their first handlers might be termed “Old Guard” (although they would reject that title). Fetishes include (but are not limited to) blood sports, knives, fisting, piercing, single-tail, protocol, leather gear and Shibari.
Outside interests include animal rescue, canine nutrition (come talk to me about dogs), reading and spending time with my lovely spouse.
I’m thrilled that I have been invited, again, to Mr. Anvil 2025!
Wayne Teske – Wayne Teske was scooped up at a young age by a Sir who recognized something in him and mentored him for two years of Sir training as his boy, culminating in Wayne’s own passing of the hat ceremony in Philadelphia, PA now over 50 years ago. Originally from South Jersey, Wayne spent his formative years proudly serving 3 tours of duty in the Navy where among other skills, he learned the art of leather working.
After traveling extensively both in the service, and with lovers in and out of uniform, Wayne settled down for a bit first in Texas. Since he pulled up stakes some twenty years ago to be closer to family here in Arizona, Wayne has made his impression here in our local leather community, helping and teaching men of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels what being in the leather community is all about. A recent quote by him, “Not sure what else you need…” sums it up exactly! Whatever it is that needs doing, Wayne will be right there to lend a hand.
Dave Watt – Dave was honored with the title of Mr Michigan Leather 2009, served on the CLAW board for 5 years and has judged IML, MIR, MAL and more. He currently serves on the board of Arizona’s Queer Center with programs that serve the LGBTQ+ community. He has completed many food fetish presentations, countless HIV-related classes, and enjoys flogging “newbies” at leather events. Passionate about reducing HIV-related stigma, Dave is the creator of the campaign “Team Friendly”.
Aric Wilson – Aric Wilson, Mr. SoCal Leather 2019 popped into the Los Angeles leather scene in 2018. He identifies as a leather man with a little pup inside. Aric has been a member of Onyx Southwest and currently a board member of the Los Angeles Band of Brothers. Aric participated at LA Leather in 2019 as first runner up and went on to IML in 2022 and placed well inside of the top 20. Aric has represented the SoCal Leather title in several countries including Finland, Belgium, Germany, Norway, France, and Colombia. He took over ownership & production of the Mr. SoCal Leather title in 2022 and continues to produce bar events under the name SoCal Leather events. He’s also created the Fetish SoCal title in 2023 and opened both titles to all genders in 2024. Outside of Leather spaces Aric enjoys hiking, traveling and creating human hand puppets.