Salt Lake City Leather Pride 2026 drew its largest crowd yet and raised more than $22,000 for UAF Legacy Health. That is more than twice what the event raised last year, organizers said.
More than 1,000 people attended the event, according to sponsor coordinator Ed Turner. It was held Oct. 18 at Milk SLC and included vendors, community organizations, entertainment, and silent and live auctions. Grand prizes included a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a Rad Power Bike e-bike.
Executive producer Michael Sanders said the money will help outfit six new medical exam rooms at UAF Legacy Health. That will support two new medical providers and expand access to what he called “affordable, affirming, and compassionate healthcare” for the community.
“Beyond the leather, the excitement, and the celebration, this event has always been about something bigger: community coming together to make a difference,” Sanders said in a letter to supporters.
Turner said the final total could still rise. “When the dust fully settles, we will have raised more than $22,000,” he said.
New titleholders crowned
The Ms. & Mr. Leather SL♥UT title contest was a centerpiece of the event. Sloppie Jo won Ms. Leather SL♥UT 2026, and Leather Medic won Mr. Leather SL♥UT 2026.
Celebrity judges included Jason Elliott, last year’s Mr. MAL, and Honey Davenport, the current Mr. IML. Turner called the judging panel “top-notch.”
Leather Medic, who works as a medical professional, announced the run for the title before the event. He wrote that he chooses to be “a lifelong learner” and that applying that mindset to his leather journey has been “one of the most rewarding and eye-opening experiences.”
After the win, he said the weekend was “a blur.”
“I will work every day to keep earning this privilege that I have been entrusted with,” he said. He thanked friends, family, his support team and the local and visiting judges, whom he called “a guiding light.” He also thanked event organizers and UAF Legacy Health “for all the amazing work being done for our local community.”
Sloppie Jo said that the title “may have my name on it, but I know I didn’t get here alone.” The new titleholder thanked a husband and mentor, Sir Giggles, along with a wife, a partner, a handler, a house called Giggles Hole, and previous titleholders. They said winning means “stepping into a legacy that was built before me, and I intend to honor it by continuing the work.”
“And to my community, thank you,” the titleholder said. “Thank you for showing up for me, believing in me, challenging me, and letting me show up as exactly who I am.”
Organizers look ahead
Sanders thanked volunteers, committee members, entertainers, contestants, judges, vendors, community partners, donors, and attendees. He called producing the event “a labor of love.”
“You showed up. You showed out. And you made a difference!” he said.
Turner said organizers are already planning next year’s event. “Someone is already thinking about how to make it bigger and better,” he said. Q
More information is available at slcleatherpride.com, and contest details are at slcleatherpride.com/events/leatherslut.
