IDL2008 Judges

July 17th, 2008


Meet our judges for International Deaf Leather 2008

Jerry Garmany, Head Judge
International Mr. Deaf Leather 2007

  • Mr. Baltimore Eagle 2005
  • Mr. Atlantic Deaf Leather 2003
  • Mr. Baltimore Deaf Leather 2003

    • Awards:

  • Recipient of the 2007 Michael Felts Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Mr. Maryland Leather 2007 Brotherhood Award
  • Mid-Atlantic Leather 2006 Brotherhood Award

    • Jerry’s hobbies include photography, travel, nude sunbathing, and attending leather activities and contests

    Gary Iriza, International Mr. Leather 2008
    Originally from Venezuela , Gary studied Systems Engineering at U.N.E.X.P.O. in Caracas before moving to the United States in November of 1999, and currently resides in Palm Springs. Since moving to the US, Gary has immersed himself in the culture, and is committed to a path of self discovery.
    Gary has served the Palm Springs community as a volunteer at many events, including Well in the Desert, an organization serving the homeless. He also hosted the Fetish Ball, a fund raiser for the Gay Associate Youth organization, and is currently a member of PSLOD (Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert) and the Desert Pride Community Center.

    Karen Taylor, Ms. Baltimore Deaf Leather 2008
    Born a CODA (Child Of Deaf Adults), Karen moved to Maryland from her hometown & was quickly introduced to the Leather community. She was a “little sister” in the Teddy Bear Leather Club in Central Virginia, & later became a member of BLADeaf. Karen is proud of both her Deaf family
    and her Leather family
    “I am Deaf…with hearing handicap.”




    Jose Granda, International Mr. Deaf Leather 1994
    Alternate Judge
    Jose Granda of Orlando Florida is the 4th International Mr. Deaf Leather. Since winning that tile, he has continued to be an active fundraiser, & member of the IDL community. He is a Deaf cuban who graduated as a drama major from Gallaudet University. He has been teaching ASL for over 28 years, including his role as instructor for the Interpreting Training Programs at Miami Dade College. Jose has produced an entertaining & educational DVD series of ASL “ABC Stories” that teach while spreading his irrepressible joy for life!


    Mike Canfield Mr. Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf 2003
    Mike Canfield, former Mr. RAD 1993 (Hollywood, CA), is a native Pennsylvanian and currently works at the PA School for the Deaf (PSD) in the business office. He is also HIV/AIDS Prevention Educator for the Deaf community of the Community Center of Professional Services in conjunction with PSD. Mike leads numerous workshops on visual communication and Deaf Culture and is also a sign coach for the sign-language interpreters for major musical productions in various theaters of Philadelphia. Mike is a former actor and aristic director of the Australian Theater of the Deaf, which he lived in Sydney for 14 years.