Respect the Leather

Scottie J’s Road from a Sign Above a Urinal to the IMLBB Stage in Chicago

Some stories are too good to keep behind the front desk.

If you’re around Clubhouse II on a Friday afternoon, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with Scott Jackson, aka BootJack Scottie J. He’s one of those familiar faces who has been around long enough that you may recognize him even if you’ve never formally introduced yourself.

Earlier this summer, Scottie J represented South Florida at International Mr. Bootblack 2026 during IMLBB weekend in Chicago, one of the largest and most respected gatherings in the leather world. Competing at that level is no small thing.

And the road that got him there started, appropriately enough, with a sign hanging above a urinal.

Seriously.

In 2021, Scottie was 54, living in Colorado, and thinking about what the next chapter of life might look like when he and his partner returned to Fort Lauderdale for their first post-pandemic vacation. At Ramrod, he spotted a sign:

“BootBlack Wanted — Will Train.”

He applied.

A month later, he packed his car, headed for Wilton Manors, and started over.

Scottie gave himself five years to learn the craft, build his business, immerse himself in leather culture, work the event circuit, and decide whether he had what it took to compete for a title.

Representing South Florida, Scottie competed among the 2026 International Mr. Bootblack contestants in Chicago -  a significant achievement in its own right, whether or not the weekend ends with a title.

When Scottie told me he planned to compete, I thought it was exactly the kind of thing Clubhouse II should get behind. I brought it to Bruce, our GM, who agreed, and Clubhouse II joined Ramrod, Pig Week, Leatherwerks, and My Tropx in helping sponsor his trip.

When Scottie got back, I sent him a list of questions.

What came back was much more than a contest recap.

It became a conversation about leather and legacy. About leaving home at 54 and reinventing yourself. About gay male spaces and why preserving them still matters. About stage fright, competition, sexuality, tradition, service, community - and what happens when you decide that being scared isn’t a particularly good reason not to try.

Most of all, it became a story about showing up.

THE FULL INTERVIEW:

Lance: Tell us a little about yourself and how you became “Scottie J.”

Scottie J: Many years ago, my man of 33 years and I decided we wanted to live “someplace warmer and more gay.”

Colorado was where I was born and where I lived for the first 54 years of my life. Its culture felt centered on starting a career and raising a traditional family, and I frequently felt outside that world. The cold and dry climate also became harder on me as I got older.

In 2021, after our first COVID vaccinations, we returned to Fort Lauderdale for our first post-pandemic vacation.

At Ramrod, one of our favorite leather bars, I spotted a sign above the urinal that read:

“BootBlack Wanted — Will Train.”

I was between jobs, so I applied for the position, and suddenly our dream felt possible.

A month later, I packed my car and headed for Wilton Manors—Gay Paradise, USA—to become a BootBlack.

As time went on, one of my coworkers, Perrey, began calling me “Scottie J.” It had a ring to it. I adopted the name as my BootBlack identity, and eventually it became the name of my bootblacking business.

How did you first get involved with bootblacking and the leather community?

I met my man, Steve, in 1993, at the Triangle Bar, an old-school leather bar in Denver.

I had long been attracted to the masculinity and sexuality of leathermen, but I was nervous about entering that world because of the gossip and rumors I’d heard.

I went alone one Friday night and found a safe corner where I could observe the scene.

Then I met Steve.

I went home with him that night - and never left.

That was 33 years ago.

Over time, the leather community became our community. We attended local leather events, Dore Alley, International Mr. Leather, and made trips to Fort Lauderdale where I regularly sat in the Ramrod BootBlack chair for my boots, leather care, and foot rubs.

For me, that experience was physical, communal, and spiritual.

When I became Ramrod’s resident BootBlack in 2021, I immersed myself in the craft, its history, and its traditions.

Since then, I’ve attended South Florida and national leather events including Florida Leather Week and CLAW, competed at the 2025 International LeatherSIR/boy Community BootBlack event in Dallas, and entered the 2026 IMLBB competition in Chicago.

I can now say the leather brotherhood is part of my extended family around the world.

What does being part of the Wilton Manors and Fort Lauderdale community mean to you?

When we chose Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors, we knew we were joining something unique.

For the first time, we could live someplace where being gay wasn’t an exception but simply part of everyday life.

I still have a sense of awe when I see male couples holding hands, kissing, and simply living openly on Wilton Drive.

Acceptance is important.

But belonging is deeper.

Here, we aren’t outsiders who happen to be tolerated. We’re part of the community itself.

Seeing ourselves reflected in our neighbors is profoundly affirming. After years within the more heteronormative culture of Colorado’s Front Range, Wilton Manors gave me something I’d never fully experienced before:

The feeling of truly being at home.

I finally felt comfortable in my own skin.

THE ROAD TO IMLBB

What inspired you to enter this year’s IMLBB competition?

When I became a BootBlack and formed my business, I created a five-year plan.

Year one focused on learning how to BootBlack, perform leather care, and serve clients well.

Year two was about growing the business and developing my skills.

Years three and four were about improving my expertise and “working the circuit” - attending regional and national leather events and learning from other BootBlacks.

Year five was when I would decide whether to pursue a title.

By then, I had mostly accomplished the goals I’d set for myself, so entering IMLBB became the culmination of that plan.

It was an opportunity to test myself, share what I had learned, and step well beyond my comfort zone.

What did preparing for the contest actually involve?

Almost everything.

Practicing skills. Refining my educational presentation on leather. Preparing for interviews. Organizing gear. Planning travel. Choosing outfits. Fundraising—which was a difficult task in and of itself—and somehow trying not to overpack because airlines apparently have opinions about how much BootBlack equipment one man should bring to Chicago.

I also spent a lot of time refining the message behind my work, which became:

Respect the Leather!™

The months of preparation disappeared quickly, and I learned how easy it is to become overwhelmed.

Good preparation required more than skill and organization.

It required focus, balance, and perspective.

What was the biggest challenge leading up to the competition?

My biggest challenge was realizing how much traditional BootBlacking has changed.

My experience was rooted in gay leathermen’s culture, where leather care, masculine service, flirtation, and erotic energy could all be part of sitting in the BootBlack chair.

Today, BootBlacking also exists in broader pansexual and gender-diverse spaces.

I respect those spaces while still believing there is value in preserving gay-male-centered leather environments and the erotic traditions that shaped them.

The challenge has been expressing that preference respectfully without being misunderstood as rejecting others.

I believe inclusive spaces and specifically gay male spaces can coexist.

The traditions of gay leather culture, by and for gay men, deserve to be remembered, celebrated, and carried forward alongside newer, more inclusive forms of BootBlacking.

How did representing South Florida influence your approach?

Representing South Florida, Fort Lauderdale, and Wilton Manors gave me tremendous pride because of this region’s deep connection to gay life.

I was equally proud to represent Ramrod.

At IMLBB, men from around the world spoke about the bar with nostalgia and affection.

Their stories helped me realize that I’m not simply a BootBlack there. I’m a steward of a long-standing tradition going back to Ramrod’s opening in 1993.

Men have trusted me with their leather - and, while sitting in my chair, with stories from their lives.

I wanted to carry that history onto the IMLBB stage with knowledge, respect, representation, gratitude, and joy.

CHICAGO

Walk us through what contest weekend was like.

It was a whirlwind.

Intense. Exhausting. Exhilarating. Emotional. Stressful. Full of anticipation.

There were orientations, meetings, practices, interviews, presentations, speeches, runway walks, rehearsals, roll calls, live stage events - and all of that was happening in addition to servicing new BootBlacking clients at IMLBB.

And all of it was being evaluated and scored by the judges.

There were also long stretches of waiting, when anxiety could become almost as challenging as the competition itself.

Yet through all that pressure, we contestants developed a strong sense of camaraderie and belonging.

It was one of the most intense and meaningful experiences of my life.

I’m very glad I did it.

What part of the experience did you enjoy most?

Two moments stand out.

The first happened during orientation, when we received our IMLBB medallions and learned about the history and deeper meaning of the International Mr. Leather contest, including stories of people who had come before us.

It made us feel like we were joining a legacy. Something special.

The second happened before we left for the theater for the final event.

Our leaders and guides shared lessons from their own IML experiences, and the room became intensely emotional. We began to understand more clearly what it meant to be part of the IML brotherhood.

Then, as we walked toward the buses, hundreds of supporters lined the hallways of the Congress Hotel and gave us a standing ovation.

For those surreal and powerful moments, we felt on top of the world.

Celebrated.

Honored.

It’s a feeling I will remember fondly for the rest of my life.

What was the most challenging part of competing on that stage?

Managing myself amid the controlled chaos.

I had to stay present, remember what I was supposed to do, look confident, and allow my authentic self to show through - all while dealing with stage fright, performance anxiety, and self-doubt.

What helped was perspective.

I reminded myself that I’d been selected because of my skills and experience.

Win or lose, I’d already achieved something significant simply by making it to IMLBB.

Worry is the enemy.

Belief in yourself and trust in the process are your allies.

Did anything about the contestants or the experience surprise you?

I was surprised by how quickly genuine camaraderie developed.

We were competitors, but we were also encouraging each other and sharing an unusual, intense journey.

I also gained a deeper appreciation for the heart, preparation, sacrifice, and talent every contestant brought to that stage.

Simply being selected for the 2026 IMLBB was an accomplishment.

I came away with enormous respect for the entire contestant class.

WHEN YOUR COMMUNITY GETS BEHIND YOU

What did Clubhouse II’s sponsorship mean to you personally?

Clubhouse II is one of my favorite places because it’s a gay bathhouse; because the men who frequent it are unpretentious, and because the atmosphere is exciting and erotic.

There’s a sense of freedom there that allows me to explore my sexuality without judgment.

Clubhouse II’s sponsorship meant a great deal to me because it showed that people back home believed in me enough to help send me to IMLBB.

Competing was a personal goal, but the support of Clubhouse II and others reminded me that I wasn’t walking onto that stage alone.

I carried the encouragement and pride of my community with me.

That made the experience even more meaningful.

How did that support help you prepare and give you confidence going into the competition?

IMLBB involved travel, supplies, wardrobe, equipment, and many other expenses.

Clubhouse II’s sponsorship eased a lot of that pressure and reminded me that people believed in me. That allowed me to focus more fully on practicing and preparing for the competition.

That peace of mind helped me show up as the best version of BootBlack Scottie J that I could be - with a winning spirit in my soul, the support of my community in my heart, and my head held high with confidence in my BootBlacking skills.

What would you want Clubhouse II members to know about why this experience mattered to you?

This was about much more than competing for a title.

It was an opportunity to challenge myself, honor BootBlacking as a craft, and represent South Florida and Wilton Manors.

I was also there representing my generous sponsors: Ramrod, Pig Week, Leatherwerks, My Tropx, and Clubhouse II.

Supporters like Clubhouse II made it possible for me to spread my message of Respect the Leather!™, honor the lives connected to leather culture, and have the experience of participating in the IMLBB competition.

Clubhouse II helped make that opportunity possible.

I’m sincerely grateful to Bruce, the general manager, for approving the contribution and to Lance, who advocated for my cause.

I’m also thankful for Clubhouse II members because, without their patronage, that support would not have been possible.

WHAT THE JOURNEY TAUGHT HIM

What did you learn about yourself through this experience?

I learned that meaningful change is possible when you set clear goals, create a plan, and remain committed to it.

I also learned that I have talents and skills that can take me places—but only if  I make the effort and apply myself.

This experience proved that I can do difficult things even when I’m anxious or far outside my comfort zone.

It also reminded me that:

Success is not always about winning. Sometimes the accomplishment is having the courage to try and see the journey through.

A meaningful life is found not only at the destination, but also by being fully present for the journey.

Has competing changed how you see your role within the leather community?

Yes.

It reminded me that my role is broader than polishing boots, even though skilled leather care is important.

I’m also a caretaker of all things leather. A listener. A storyteller. And someone who can help create connection and belonging.

I hope, with time, to become a trusted voice of wisdom and service in the Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, and Fort Lauderdale gay communities.

Competing helped me recognize both the value I already bring and the potential to share that value more widely.

What do you hope people took away from watching you compete?

I hope they saw someone who genuinely loves the craft, respects its traditions, and cares about the people behind the leather.

I also hope they saw that it’s never too late to take a chance, reinvent yourself, and step onto a bigger stage.

Something else that’s important to me is the idea that leather isn’t disposable.

It begins with sacrifice. It’s transformed by skilled artisans. And when properly cared for, it can become a legacy item - gifted, regifted, and preserved for a lifetime and beyond.

That is at the heart of my message:

Respect the Leather!™

Would you encourage other local guys to step outside their comfort zone and compete?

Absolutely.

You may win.

You may not.

But you will learn, grow, meet remarkable people, and discover strengths you didn’t know you had.

Sometimes the greatest prize is simply having the courage to put on your boots, show up, and compete.

That lesson is good for the soul - and, with the help of a BootBlack, good for the soles of your boots.

...I couldn’t resist that one.

WHAT’S NEXT?

What’s next for BootBlack Scottie J after IMLBB?

I hope to continue my BootBlacking gig at Ramrod and beyond, and gradually develop it into a sustainable, long-term enterprise.

One possibility is an apprenticeship program that could help preserve the BootBlack tradition in South Florida.

Another would be expanding my services to include other types of leather shoes and leather apparel under the DBA Scott’s Shoe Shine.

I also want to keep building the BootBlack Scottie J brand and expanding the Respect the Leather!™ message because leather carries sacrifice, craftsmanship, history, care, and personal stories.

Most importantly, I want to use what I’ve created to strengthen the gay community through meaningful service, connection, and practical ideas that make a real difference.

Anything you’d like to say directly to the Clubhouse II community?

YES!

I’ll be “holding court” at Clubhouse II most Fridays from approximately 1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Come to Clubhouse II, get a room or locker, and say, "hello!"

You can also experience my BootBlacking craft by getting your boots shined, your leather cared for, or your feet rubbed at Ramrod every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to close.

I also offer convenient pickup and drop-off service. You can find my business cards at Ramrod.

Finally, I want to give a big shout-out to Lance with Clubhouse II.

Thank you so very much, Lance! You gave me the chance to share my IMLBB experience with the Clubhouse II community and my leather brethren.

That’s awesome, and I’m very grateful.

And for everyone else, I just want to say that I appreciate y’all in many, many ways.

Thank you!

MORE THAN A TITLE

There was one answer in Scottie’s interview I kept coming back to:

“Success is not always about winning. Sometimes the accomplishment is having the courage to try and see the journey through.”

Maybe because it applies to considerably more than a leather contest.

At 54, Scottie packed a car and moved across the country to start a life he had spent years imagining.

He answered a help-wanted sign over a urinal. He learned something new. He gave himself five years. And when those five years were up, instead of finding another reason to wait, he got on a plane and put himself on the stage.

There is something worth respecting in that before you ever get to the boots.

And there is another part of this story worth remembering.

Scottie did the work, but he didn’t make the journey entirely alone.

Ramrod showed up.

Pig Week showed up.

Leatherwerks and My Tropx showed up.

Clubhouse II showed up.

And whether you realized it or not, if you’ve supported Clubhouse II, you showed up too.

Your memberships, your rooms, your lockers, and your continued support are what allow a local business like ours to turn around occasionally and support somebody else.

That’s what community looks like when it’s working the way it should.

The support moves around.

Eventually, hopefully, some of it finds its way back to you.

So the next time you’re here on a Friday afternoon and spot Scottie somewhere around the club, go say hello.

Ask him about Chicago.

Ask him about leather.

Ask him what possessed a perfectly reasonable 54-year-old man to see a handwritten sign above a urinal and think, "Well, there’s my next career."

I have a feeling he’ll have an answer.

And if you’re lucky, probably a story to go with it.

Respect the leather.
Respect the craft.
And respect the guy who had the nerve to show up.

— Lance