At www.esmale.com we love putting people in the spotlight who are working hard to make a positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community. This time, it is no other than the recently crowned Mr Leather London, Galen Woltkamp-Moon. We are excited that he freed up some time from his undoubtedly busy schedule to answer some questions about what it is like to be London’s main leather man. PS: check out the images, whether you are into leather or not, there is no denying that Mr Woltkamp-Moon is a bit of a hunk! So, let’s dive in and find out what he is about.
Photo credit: joshidotphoto
Welcome Galen, and let’s get started. We and our readers are excited to learn more.
Esmale: Congratulations on being the new Mr Leather London. Can you tell us a little about the process? How does one win this title?
Galen: Thanks! The process to winning Mr Leather London begins with an application and then shortlisting. Each applicant will need to have a project in mind that they would like to achieve as Mr Leather London. My project is an event called the Leatherbound Community Showcase, where I want to celebrate the hard work of artists, photographers, and performers and showcase that talent. I was shortlisted in the top 3, and then a pageant was held where the contestants had several rounds of questions, including an interview with the judges. After the votes from the judges and public were tallied, I was declared the winner.
Esmale: What does being Mr Leather London mean to you?
Galen: For me, it is about representing and serving the leather community of London and advocating for inclusivity and visibility. I want to give back to the community that welcomed me and made me feel seen and included.
Esmale: As with many competitions, often the winners are also chosen because of what they stand for and what they would like to achieve. In your case, what are you hoping to achieve whilst you are Mr Leather London?
Galen: I’ve always believed that visibility matters, especially for creative, neurodiverse, and often-overlooked voices in our scene. As Mr Leather London, I want to open doors for people who feel like they don’t quite fit the traditional mould. My goal is to foster a stronger sense of creative community within the fetish world and to celebrate the artistry, identity, and emotional depth that exists in our spaces. The Leatherbound Community Showcase is part of that mission, giving a platform to artists, performers, and craft makers in a space that feels affirming, expressive, and accessible.
Esmale: On your social media, we have seen that you have been a busy man already. What has been the highlight so far?
Galen: It’s hard to pick just one, but representing London at Brussels Pride was definitely a standout moment. Marching in leather through the streets with people cheering and smiling was beautiful, affirming, and emotional. That sense of international community really stayed with me.
Esmale: Now that you have the crown, or rather, the sash, what does the rest of your year look like?
Galen: Next up is the Leatherbound Community Showcase on the 20th of September, which I’ve poured a lot of love and energy into. After that, I’ll be heading to Maspalomas in October for Fetish Pride, followed by Amsterdam, where I’ll be competing for Mr Leather Europe. The lead-up to March, when I hand over the sash, will be full of travel, connection, and continued work on building safer, more creative spaces within our community.
Now that we have a bit more background on the competition and how it changes someone’s year completely, let’s find out a bit more about the man himself.
Photo credit: joshidotphoto
Esmale: When you are not on duty as Mr London Leather, what do you do? Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Galen: In my day-to-day life, I work as a video editor, helping organise and process scientific footage for global distribution. I’m also a musician and play clarinet for the London Video Game Orchestra, which is an orchestra I set up for other video game nerds who love playing video game music.
Esmale: Who or what inspires you?
Galen: I find people who are humble and give visibility to people who may be vulnerable or struggling and lift them up to be very inspirational. Those individuals deserve to be seen, and we need inspirational people like that.
Esmale: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Galen: I’m a bit of a nerd. I love video games and playing video game music on the flute or clarinet. I also enjoy gardening, DIY and spending quiet time at home, especially after high-energy events. It’s how I recharge.
Esmale: What does your favourite holiday look like?
Galen: My favourite kind of holiday mixes sunshine with culture and queerness. Somewhere like Gran Canaria, where you can go from a quiet beach morning to a late-night party. Add good friends, great food, and a few unexpected adventures, and I’m happy.
Esmale: If you could send a message to your 16-year-old self, what would it say?
Galen: You’re not broken. You’re just wired differently, and that’s a gift, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. One day, you’ll be part of a community that sees and celebrates you for exactly who you are. Hang in there. You’re going to surprise yourself.
Thank you for your time Galen. We have enjoyed getting to know you, and I am sure our readers will as well.
If you want to support Galen in achieving his goals and make sure he can represent London to the best of his abilities, please have a look at his GoFundMe page here (https://www.gofundme.com/f/send-galen-mr-leather-london-to-mr-leather-europe-contest) and donate, every little helps!
If you want to know what Galen is up to, you can follow him on Instagram: @solidwolfg2
With love, team www.esmale.com, for more blogs, go here!
