Connecticut

Mr. Connecticut Leather 2023 was ‘fantastic’ ambassador for LGBTQ community

Published

10 months ago

August 22, 2023

Mr. Connecticut Leather 2023 was ‘fantastic’ ambassador for LGBTQ community

Trell Walters is more than just a guy who looks hot in leather.

Walters holds the title, Mr. Connecticut Leather 2023, a contest linked to unconventional sex and to the LGBTQ community.

But holding the title is about more than a fetish because it comes with a platform and sash, the latter like a “microphone” to Walters.

Walters’ platform has been “No one left behind,” as he spent the year of his reign creating safe spaces for LBGTQ people – many of them young adults – to hold conversations, seek advice and everyday education in a world that’s not always accepting.

For the greater community, he’s also held a canned food drive for a soup kitchen, personal care item collection for people experiencing homelessness, and a soup kitchen fundraiser.

He also is a Black man, which holds another element of representation, he said.

“I like being able to spread the word or positivity,” Walters said. “When you have a sash around you it amplifies you … like a microphone.”

Walters, 41, will pass his sash on Sept. 9 when Mr. CT Leather 2024 is chosen at 168 York St. Cafe in New Haven. Ian “Scooby” Rosman, producer of the event and Mr. CT Leather 2017, said Walters has been a “fantastic” title holder.

“The main thing is to be an ambassador for the leather community. To be a positive face for the fun and excitement we have here in our community,” Rosman said.

Trell Walters, Mr. Connecticut Leather 2023, will soon finish his reign.
Trell Walters of Wallingford will soon complete his reign as Mr. Connecticut Leather.
Trell Walters, Mr. Connecticut Leather 2023 models leather attire.
Trell Walters of Wallingford is the reigning Mr. Connecticut Leather.

Rosman said the competition like others held nationwide at various levels, celebrates leather, kink, fetishes, and unconventional sex – all consensual and practiced in all kinds of sexual orientation relationships.

This year the contest will add a Ms. Connecticut Leather category. For more information on that contest, contact Rosman at ctleather2017@gmail.com.

Walters, 41, of Wallingford, works as a field support representative for FedEx Ground.

Walters has a large closet and drawers filled with all kinds of leather – boots, pants, shirts, vests, ties, and more. His leather attire is also in an array of colors.

Walters, who grew up in Windsor, fell in love with leather when he attended his first leather event in 2009.

He knew right away it would become a thing.

“I loved the way it felt. How it made me look. I felt empowered,” he said. “It gave me confidence.”

In July of 2018 it got even better after he had bariatric surgery and lost over 130 pounds.

“I can appreciate leather more now,” he said.

Walters said there are a lot of misconceptions out there about the topics celebrated by the contest.

While some consider it “deviant”, he said, all kinds of fetishes and sexual styles are common in the general population.

“They are all around us,” Walters said. “There’s nothing aggressive about this and the emphasis is in consent.”

Walters has won several titles over the years since 2014: Mr. CT Bear; North American Daddy Bear; Mr. Bear Bare it All; Atlantic States Leather Boy.

Following his Mr. CT Leather win in September 2022, Walters was first runner up at the Mid-Atlantic contest and was in the top 20 in the international contest held in Chicago.

Like other such pageants, Mr. CT Leather has visual and platform components.

In Walters’ contest the first category was Bar Ware, or what one would wear to a bar. The second category, “physique” involves less clothing, he said, like underwear or a swim suit, but they’re not looking for a best body, Walters said. It’s more to see “how comfortable you feel in your own skin.”

The third category, “formals” entailed wearing all leather and included a speech on why the contestant was running and what he would do for the community, Walters said.

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Connecticut

14 adorable puppies rescued from rollover crash in Connecticut

Published

46 mins ago

June 21, 2024

Press Room

14 adorable puppies rescued from rollover crash in Connecticut

Fourteen adorable puppies were rescued from a rollover crash in Connecticut on Thursday morning, according to officials.

A vehicle carrying the pups smashed into a utility pole on Senexet Road in Woodstock around 6 a.m., according to Connecticut State Police.

No people were hurt in the crash but first responders provided care for the 14 puppies.

They were able to retrieve them once power was cut to some downed power lines, the Muddy Brook Fire Department said.

The Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments’ Animal Services and Dr. Gwenn Gaumond from Peake Brook Veterinary Center responded to the scene to provide veterinary care and shelter to the animals.

Photos from the scene posted by the fire department show several puppies of all different breeds at the scene. Some were still in their cages while others were being comforted in the arms of the responders.

Peake Brook Veterinary Center told The Post all puppies are accounted for, “with most receiving a happy ending” — but provided no additional information on their conditions.

“You hate to see things like this happen, but I am glad that the community could count on Peake Brook Veterinary Center and our mobile unit to respond,” Dr. Gaumond said.

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Connecticut

Amtrak service between Philadelphia and Connecticut resumes after earlier suspension

Published

8 hours ago

June 20, 2024

Press Room

Amtrak service between Philadelphia and Connecticut resumes after earlier suspension

Amtrak service between Philadelphia and New Haven, Connecticut, resumed on Thursday evening after train service was suspended for over two hours as crews worked to restore power in the New York area, Amtrak said.

“Significant delays are anticipated due to rail congestion and single-tracking,” Amtrak said in a statement to passengers after service was restored.

The outage included trains in and out of New York Penn Station, Amtrak said.

Service Update: As of 5:30 PM ET, power has been restored, and all rail service has resumed between New Haven (NHV) and Philadelphia (PHL). Significant delays are anticipated due to rail congestion and single-tracking.

– Amtrak Alerts (@AmtrakAlerts) June 20, 2024New Jersey Transit said its trains are suspended in and out of New York Penn Station. NJ Transit hasn’t posted an update as of 5:53 p.m. ET.

An unrelated brush fire is also impacting wire repairs, according to Amtrak and NJ Transit.

The outage was reported shortly after Amtrak warned that the extreme heat in the Northeast might force trains to slow down, causing up to one-hour delays. It was not immediately clear if the service suspension was caused by the heat.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Connecticut

CT’s oldest queer prom returns for its 30th year. How juniors and seniors can celebrate

Published

15 hours ago

June 20, 2024

Press Room

CT’s oldest queer prom returns for its 30th year. How juniors and seniors can celebrate

Connecticut’s oldest Queer Prom is returning for its 30th year for high school juniors and seniors in Connecticut, according to a release.

The Health Collective’s 30th annual Queer Prom returns Friday, June 28, at the Bond Ballroom in Hartford, giving LGBTQIA+ students the chance to celebrate in a safe and fun way, per a release.

Its “Starry Night” theme will have students dancing beneath the stars in the Grand Ballroom overlooking the cityscape and Bushnell Memorial Park, according to a release.

Angel Reef, one of Hartford’s favorite drag queens, will be joining DJ Reefa, another Hartford native and queer community staple.

Students will have plenty more available to celebrate: hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, space to mix, mingle and take photos, and have tarot card readings, per a release. There will also be a safe and supportive space for students to decompress courtesy of Q-Plus in the form of a Sensory Room.

“The Health Collective is proud to offer our Queer Prom as a means to affirm, empower, and heal queer youth within Connecticut,” said David Grant, executive director of the Health Collective. “This experience provides a safe space free of the cisgender and heteronormative barriers which often deter LGBTQIA+ students from attending those within their own schools.”

Pride Month is right around the corner. Check out these CT events and join the celebration

“As a city, Hartford is committed to continuing the work necessary to ensure we are an inclusive City,” said Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam. “It’s crucial that all of our residents feel safe, feel like they belong, and grow up feeling embraced by our community and those around them.”

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