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.

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.