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Since winning the International Mr Leather Competition last week, Drag Race alumni Honey Davenport has faced plenty of criticism for his win.

While many poured out their love and support for the star, there were plenty of naysayers, igniting a fiery debate about the intersectionality of drag and masculinity he brought to the competition.

But in response the leather and drag community have come to his defence, praising him for his originality and spirit.

An outpouring of support for Honey Davenport

Honey Davenport first came to fame in 2019 when he appeared on season eleven of RuPaul’s Drag Race, where sadly he was eliminated in third place.

Fast forward to 2026 and Davenport made headlines appearing in the International Mr Leather competition in Chicago, looking strikingly different.

In the multi day competition competition Davenport competed against a strong cohort from around the world before ultimately taking out the 2026 title and drawing focus for some of their incredible outfits and his competitive spirit.

 

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鈥淩ecently, I was told that I should read the room” Davenport said in his speech.

鈥淚 was told that in a room perceived as one colour, I should only play one sound. It was a blunt reminder of the difference between inclusion and belonging.鈥�

鈥淵ou see, you can be invited to the party, but still be told your soul doesn鈥檛 fit the standard. As a DJ, my hands are on the pulse of this community.

鈥淚 know every bass line that moves us, every beat drop that cues us up for that perfect throbbing rhythm, but I don鈥檛 just cross-fade tracks; I bridge a divide.

While plenty of people praised his win, there were many divisive comments that began to filter through online with members of the leather community and those outside of it casting judgement on the win. Many criticised bringing aspects of drag and femininity into the competition while others were outright critical of crowning a drag performer as the winner.

Drag Queen Honey Davenport just won MR LEATHER INTERNATIONAL, and now everyone鈥檚 in-fighting. It鈥檚 funny watching gay men practice every over-stereotypically male characteristic, then in the same breath pretend masculinity doesn鈥檛 matter or exist.

鈥� jason (@yellowtwisted)

In particular one criticism went viral with the author writing “I think representation goes both ways. Many gay men feel pushed to the sides by others who gladly adapted “they/them” pronouns and feel like they’re “the face of thecommunity” he wrote.

“Diversity doesn’t mean erasing gay men, masculinity and proudly showing men in heels. That’s a show, a spectacle. And exclusion. Diversity is when you can hold their voice, even though it harms your narrative and make them feel welcome too, regardless of who’s the current IML winner. IML is pushing politics in ways many men disagree. But these men are instead being labeled as hateful only because they dislike how IML exploits their sexuality for “pro diversity quotas on projects”. This community isn’t anymore about us.”

Comments like this and many others however spurred an outpouring of love from the leather and drag community around the world.

“It absolutely infuriates me seeing the way so many people are treating Honey Davenport. HE WON. Period. If you truly believe in the integrity of leather, then you should also believe in the integrity of the contest and the people trusted to judge it” wrote one supporter online.

“Need I remind the nay sayers of who it was that was at the forefront of the queer community during Stonewall? DRAG QUEENS; LEATHERMEN and TRANS folks that鈥檚 who!” wrote another while X (Twitter) and Instagram lit up with comments of support.

Writing on the blog the author also praised Davenport for the win.

“The competition鈥檚 own structure does not reduce International Mr Leather to the narrow question of who most closely resembles a Tom of Finland fantasy made flesh. It rewards more than silhouette” they wrote.

“It asks questions of presentation, communication, personality, stage presence, physical appearance, leather image and, crucially, the capacity to represent a community. On those terms, Honey鈥檚 win is not some administrative accident. It is consistent with the rules of the competition.”

Jacob Harland, Mr Queensland Leather 2025 who also sits on the Australian Leather and Brisbane Pride Boards competed in the competition alongside Honey Davenport spoke to the 17c起草社区 about the backlash echoing the sentiments of supporters from around the world.

 

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