The joy was palpable and the community was strong inside Eagle Wilton Manors. More than 100 people showed up to witness the announcement of the new Mr. Eagle. The room erupted in applause as co-founder Chuck King announced Jafar Jaafar would take the title.

“It took me a moment to really absorb what happened. I was in shock,” Jaafar told OutSFL in his first interview after the announcement. While the moment a winner is declared is often the highpoint of the night, his joy only grew as he made his way to the floor and a sea of fans.

“I was finally, ‘Oh, it happened.’ I was still not processing what happened at first. It was amazing.”

As the Eagle WM titleholder, Jaafar will compete in IML (International Mr. Leather) in Chicago over Memorial Day weekend. He plans to hold monthly fundraisers to help fund the costs.

“Jafar speaks multiple languages, and is going to be a great contender for the International Mr. Leather competition,” King said. “I’m excited to work with him and hear all of his ideas for the coming year.”

The contest was the pinnacle moment of Florida Leather Week (FLW). The week included art exhibits, kink demonstrations, and lots of parties for leathermen and their devoted fans.

“I am incredibly happy with the turnout at all of the events,” King said. “So many of the locals were well engaged, and the visitors added a lot more to the fun.”

FLW wasn’t without its challenges. Grant cuts were a result of the notoriously anti-LGBTQ policies of Florida and America meant the popular street fair had to be eliminated. King hopes to bring it back in 2026.

“Of course I was sad about losing the street fair this year due to grant cuts and apprehension of corporate donations but our team in the community together, pulled off a strong and beautiful week to celebrate the Leather Folk and Kinksters alike.”

Screenshot via OutSFL Live, YouTube.