2025 ABW Contestant Application and Titleholder Contract

Read this document carefully. When signing, this is your contract agreement with American Brotherhood Weekend. Additionally, it includes the requirements to retrieve your travel fund. It includes the number of appearances, and producers’ rights to remove title from titleholder for inappropriate behavior. Specifics of these requirements will be shared during titleholders’ orientation on Monday morning.

It is strongly advised to read through the form, gather all information, write your responses separately, and then complete the application.

Please be aware that all individuals who plan to compete at American Brotherhood Weekend MUST have their completed application, contestant fees, and photographic release in the hands of the ABW contestant coordinator (confirmed with ABW staff and coordinator) by midnight January 31, 2025.

ABW 2025 Contestant Application and Titleholder Contract

Read this document carefully!

Should you be chosen to represent ABW this application becomes your contract agreement with American Brotherhood Weekend.

Additionally, it includes the requirements to retrieve your travel fund. It includes the number of appearances, and producers’ rights to remove title from titleholder for inappropriate behavior.

Specifics of these requirements will be shared during titleholders’ orientation on Monday morning.

T-Shirt Size *

There is an Application Fee of $100; this fee includes the full weekend package which comes with a T-Shirt please select the size you would like

I am applying to compete for *

American Leatherman

American Leatherwoman

American Leatherboy

American Leatherperson

The information provided here will be viewed by all judges during interviews and used by the Emcee for stage introductions and questions.

Name to be used on stage *

Please enter the name you would like to be called by on stage

Pronouns *

Please enter your pronouns

Full Legal Name *

Keep My Name Confidential *

Yes

Age *

Hometown *

City and State please

Height *

Hair Color *

Eye Color *

List all Tattoos/piercing/body modifications *

What hankies do you flag and on what side *

When did you come out and what was that like for you? *

What are you the most passionate about? *

Current/Previous Titles Held *

Occupation *

Current relationship(s) status *

Why do you want this title and what do you plan to do with it, should you win? *

Briefly highlight your community involvement (LGBT and/or leather/fetish) *

Describe any volunteer service or charity work in which you are involved, or similar projects in which you’d like to become involved. *

List any clubs or organizations you are affiliated with and any positions held. *

DEADLINES *

Please be aware of the following deadlines:

- All individuals who plan to compete at American Brotherhood Weekend MUST have their completed contestant application, contestant fees, and photographic release in the hands of the ABW contestant coordinator (confirmed with ABW staff and coordinator) by midnight Friday, January 31, 2025.

- Walkthrough of your Fantasy due by January 31, 2025 and must be emailed separate from your application.

APPLICATION CONFIDENTIALITY *

The information provided below is a requirement for completion of any contestant package and is considered strictly confidential. Anything previously undisclosed will not be shared publicly from the stage. Contestants and Titleholders must notify Producers within 10 days of any changes to the following items.

Street Address *

Mailing Address (if different)

Phone Number *

Enter your email address *

Definitions

Note: Throughout this document the term CONTEST shall mean either “American Leatherman Contest”, “American Leatherwoman Contest'', “American Leatherboy Contest”. Or “American Leatherperson Contest” depending upon which contest is being entered by the applicant: The term PRODUCERS shall mean collectively and individually: American Brotherhood Weekend LLC; American Brotherhood Weekend; Eileen Sanders or Steph Harkins; and any other producers or associate producers who may be designated in the future. The term ABW shall be used to refer to American Brotherhood Weekend.

PHOTOGRAPHIC RELEASE AND WAIVER *

By affirming my selection to this section I warrant my full understanding of its contents, and that I am of legal age to give my consent in this state.

For and in consideration of my being allowed to compete, perform, or otherwise appear upon stage during the CONTEST—I AGREE TO THIS PHOTOGRAPHIC RELEASE AND WAIVER.

I UNDERSTAND THAT SHOULD I BE CHOSEN TO REPRESENT ABW THAT ABW MAY USE MY LIKENESS IN PERPETUITY AS DESCRIBED BELOW.

I, the undersigned, hereby give the CONTEST and its PRODUCERS, their photographers, legal representatives, agents or assigns, the right and permission to copyright, use, reuse, broadcast and/or publish any and all Photographic Pictures of me, which shall be taken during the CONTEST or as a result of my preparation for the CONTEST, or as a result of my having participated in the CONTEST. The term “Photographic Pictures”, as used herein shall include portraits, or reproductions thereof, including audio and videotapes, made through any media. Further, such rights shall include the right to use such Photographic Pictures in conjunction with my name, and through any media, for any purpose whatsoever.

I HEREBY WAIVE any rights to inspect or approve the finished Photographic Pictures, or the method of their eventual use, including any related audio or printed copy which may be used in conjunction therewith. I HEREBY RELEASE, discharge and agree to save harmless the CONTEST and its PRODUCERS, their photographers, legal representatives, agents or assigns, including those publishing and/or distributing the finished product, in whole or in part, from and against any liability or claim as a result of the use or publication of said Photographic Pictures, including from any distortion, blurring, alteration, optical illusion, or use in composite form, either intentionally, or otherwise, that may occur or be produced in the taking, processing or reproduction of the Photographic Pictures, their publication or distribution. I also agree to ensure that anyone appearing with me on stage will also sign a photo release or they will not be allowed to appear on stage with me. I HAVE READ the foregoing Release and Waiver before acknowledging this section and signing my name below.

FANTASY PARTICIPANTS PHOTOGRAPHIC RELEASE AND WAIVER *

By affirming my selection to this section I warrant my full understanding of its contents, and that I am of legal age to give my consent in this state.

For and in consideration of my being allowed to compete, I ACKNOWLEDGE ALL PERFOMERS IN MY FANTASY MUST SIGN A PHOTOGRAPHIC RELEASE AND WAIVER. This form will be made available during fantasy run through. If you know for sure prior to the contest who will be in your fantasy, PLEASE have the producer or coordinator send you the Performer Photographic Release.

CONTEST REQUIREMENTS *

By affirming my selection to this section I warrant my full understanding of its contents, and that I am of legal age to give my consent in this state.

Contestants must identify as Gay, Lesbian, Queer, or Bisexual in order to compete.

Contestants for the American Leatherman title must self identify as male, Leatherwoman must self identify as female, Leatherboy and Leatherperson may be of any gender as long as they feel called to the title.

The producers will publish a list of topics two (2) months before the event (December 2024) that contestants must be familiar with as questions on some or all of these topics will be asked about during your interviews.

At the titleholder meeting on Monday the incoming title family will choose a political topic to champion for the year. This topic may be one from the list, or one that the family decides is important to them.

Titleholders must be comfortable with being politically active on both a local and national stage.

Other judging criteria will include Bar Wear, Leather Look (Formals), Erotic Wear, Interview, Fantasy, Speech (based on a local or national political issue), and Public Relations.

A copy of the criteria for each category and the points assigned will be listed separately from this contract.

A minimum of an 80% score is required in order to be awarded the title.

TRAVEL FUND *

By affirming my selection to this section I warrant my full understanding of its contents, and that I am of legal age to give my consent in this state.

Should I be selected by the judges to hold a American Brotherhood Title, I acknowledge that I will be representing American Brotherhood Weekend LLC. I acknowledge I will have been selected to publicly represent the values, traditions, and lifestyle of the LGBTQ American community within the broader leather/fetish community.

The Travel Fund Award for this contest will be Determined by the fundraising amount collected at the end of the event weekend and will be distributed equally amongst the chosen titleholders.

I acknowledge, I will be provided a travel fund to be distributed throughout the year in quarterly values; that instructions for administration of the travel fund will be discussed during the Monday titleholder’s orientation.

This orientation will include specific requirements I must meet in terms of fundraising and community work and number of public appearances I must make.

The minimum requirements I must meet is

-Attend two LGBTQ events per quarter as well as the stepdown, the dates of which will be determined at a later time.

-Titleholders must organize one (1) charitable fundraiser each during their title year. This year, funds will be raised throughout the year for 2 charities, Ujima Men’s Collective and the Sunshine Cathedral Food Pantry. All proceeds raised for donations, after processing fees as applicable, will be split evenly after each fundraising event.

TRAVEL FUND RESTRICTIONS *

By affirming my selection to this section I warrant my full understanding of its contents, and that I am of legal age to give my consent in this state.

The Title Travel Fund award may not be used for personal, non-travel related expenses as described at the titleholder’s orientation, such as for personal living expenses, medical bills, and the like.

Should I fail to meet the minimum attendance of 2 events per quarter, my travel fund may be revoked at the discretion of the producers, and I may be asked to relinquish my title to the producers of ABW to reassign as appropriate.

Additionally, should my behavior be deemed inappropriate by the contest producers they may at their discretion revoke my remaining travel fund and ask me to relinquish my title.

Any titleholder found to be engaging in prejudicial or discriminatory language or actions against protected classes—including, but not limited to, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender, and gender expression—will have their title revoked.

Should I fail to meet the minimum of 2 events per quarter, my travel fund may be revoked at the discretion of the producers, and I may be asked to relinquish my title to the Producers of ABW to reassign as appropriate.

Additionally, should my behavior be deemed inappropriate by the Producers they may at their discretion revoke my remaining travel fund and ask me to relinquish my title.

Deliberate discrepancies or falsehoods on this application may result in removal of title or removal from competition.

Appropriate behavior will be discussed in the orientation with specific grounds which will deem a titleholder unfit to continue.

Monthly communication between the titleholder and the producers will be required, failure to complete this monthly communication will also be grounds for revoking the travel fund and relinquishing the title.

Use of the ABW logo or likeness without expressed permission of the producers can be considered violation of ABW property use and will be managed on a case by case basis but could be grounds for removal of title and revocation of travel fund.

DIRECT VIOLATION OF ANY RULES OF THE PRODUCERS OF ABW OR BLATANT DISREGARD TO TRADITIONS OF ABW OR INSUBORDINATION TO THE PRODUCERS OR THE TITLE OF ABW WILL BE IMMEDIATE GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL FROM YOUR TITLE AND RELINQUISHING ALL RIGHTS TO THE TITLE INCLUDING TRAVEL FUNDS, USE OF LOGO AND IMAGE. THE IMAGE AND LOGOS OF ABW ARE OWNED BY AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD WEEKEND LLC AND CAN NOT BE USED WITHOUT EXPRESSED PERMISSION FROM THE PRODUCTION TEAM.

PERSONAL BENEFIT *

By affirming my selection to this section I warrant my full understanding of its contents, and that I am of legal age to give my consent in this state.

American Brotherhood Weekend’s titles cannot be used in the promotion of any event where a titleholder is monetarily compensated.

ABW Titles are not to be used for direct nor indirect personal financial gain or non-financial gain; cannot be used to promote non-charitable events that have not been authorized by ABW Owners and Producers.

ABW titles cannot be used to influence political movements outside of the ones decided on at the Titleholders Orientation meeting without the express written consent of the production team.

NO CONTRACTUAL AUTHORITY *

By affirming my selection to this section I warrant my full understanding of its contents, and that I am of legal age to give my consent in this state.

ABW Titleholders cannot enter into any contractual agreement, obligation or execute instruments of any kind on behalf of ABW without prior written application to ABW’s Owners/Producers, and receipt of written authorization by ABW’s Owner/Producers prior to entering into such contractual agreement or obligation.

ABW Titleholders do not have any authority to withdraw funds from any ABW bank accounts, no authority to use ABW’s ATM card, debit card nor credit card.

PROPERTY *

By affirming my selection to this section I warrant my full understanding of its contents, and that I am of legal age to give my consent in this state.

Titleholder agrees that each Titleholder’s Medallion, Titleholder’s Back Patch (recieved after completion of the title year) and Titleholder’s Sash is the exclusive property of ABW.

Each Titleholder agrees to take good care of the Medallion, the Back Patch and the Sash during their title year.

Upon successfully completing their full term as Titleholder in Good Standing, ABW will donate both the Titleholder’s Medallion and the Titleholder’s Back Patch as gifts to each respective Titleholder.

The Titleholder’s Sash will not be gifted to any of the Titleholders.

Each Titleholder is responsible for immediately returning their Sash to ABW if they resign their Title, or if they are removed from their Title, or when they are scheduled to step down from their Title in Good Standing.

If any Titleholder does not return their Titleholder’s Sash promptly when they are requested to hand it over to ABW either at the end of their scheduled term or when their term ends prematurely, then the Titleholder agrees to be responsible for reimbursing ABW for the actual costs for creating & replacing the Titleholder’s Sash so that it can be worn by the next Titleholder.

Additionally, if a Titleholder’s title year ends prematurely, the Titleholder will then be held responsible for immediately returning their Titleholder’s Medallion and Titleholder’s Back Patch to ABW, or else the Titleholder agrees to be responsible for reimbursing ABW for the actual costs for creating & replacing the Titleholder’s Medallion and the Titleholder’s Back Patch.

In order to be considered to be a Titleholder in Good Standing a Titleholder must complete all required duties, appearances, events as well as completing and submitting their Titleholder’s Stepdown Letter and Titleholder’s Photograph to ABW in a timely manner.

ARBITRATION *

By affirming my selection to this section I warrant my full understanding of its contents, and that I am of legal age to give my consent in this state.

Any and all claims or disputes arising under or relating to this Titleholders Contract are to be settled by binding arbitration in the State of South Carolina or another location mutually agreeable to the parties. The arbitration shall be conducted on a confidential basis pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, or its successors. Any decision or award as a result of any such arbitration proceeding shall be in writing and shall provide an explanation of all conclusions of law and fact and shall include the assessment of costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney fees. Any such arbitration shall be conducted by an arbitrator experienced in Political or Charitable Organizations who has knowledge of the Leather Community and shall include a written record of the arbitration hearing. The parties reserve the right to object to any individual arbitrator who is currently employed by or affiliated with a competing organization or entity. An award of arbitration may be confirmed in a court of competent jurisdiction.

RESIDENCY *

By affirming my selection to this section I warrant my full understanding of its contents, and that I am of legal age to give my consent in this state.

All titleholders must reside in the United States and must be a U.S. citizen or hold a Visa of some kind with plans to stay in the U.S. during the duration of their title year. Failure to maintain residency will result in the removal of the title and revocation of any further travel funds.

INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS *

By affirming my selection to this section I warrant my full understanding of its contents, and that I am of legal age to give my consent in this state.

I certify that I have attained at least twenty-one (21) years of age and that I, based upon mutual covenants and considerations (including granting me the privilege of attending and participating in American Brotherhood Weekend 2025), will not hold neither American Brotherhood Weekend LLC or American Brotherhood Weekend, nor its individual or collective owners, officers, agents, and employees thereof liable for any injury to my person or property during the period of the 2025 American Brotherhood Weekend, and I further agree to indemnify and save harmless and hold harmless American Brotherhood Weekend LLC or American Brotherhood Weekend, the individual and collective owners, officers, agents, and employees thereof from any and all liability, injury or economic loss or other damage.

Date *

Signature *

Contestant full legal name

You must attach a photocopy of your current driver’s license or other state or federally issued photo ID and a current headshot. By completing the online application, you are digitally signing the agreement acknowledging and accepting the terms and conditions.

Your ID will only be used to verify the application matches the person submitting it, once that has been done your ID will be deleted and purged from our information.

Please upload a copy of your ID *

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photocopy of your current driver’s license or other state or federally issued photo ID

Please upload a headshot *

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Name

2025 Official American Brotherhood Weekend Contestant Application